13 Fantastic Staycation Ideas for Families

Even if you can’t afford to venture far from home, it doesn’t mean you don’t deserve a little time away from your everyday routine. So if this year’s vacay plans look a bit different, you can still plan for some time away with these fun staycation ideas for families.

As a family, it’s important to spend time together outside of the daily grind. However, traditional vacations aren’t always possible. An at-home vacation is just the thing to break the routine, without breaking the budget.

This list of creative ideas is geared families with teens and tweens. Each of these incredible things to do on staycation offer up family-fun that everyone will enjoy. From a camping trip to a fashion show, you can make the most of the time you spend with your family and most importantly, your time away from work.

What is a Staycation?

So what the heck is a staycation anyway? Essentially, it’s a vacay from your home. The object is to stay close to home, instead of jetting far away. This doesn’t mean you have to sleep at home, but typically you stay near town and enjoy some local travel opportunities. And it’s a great opportunity to discover new places and do fun things in your local area.

There are plenty of things to do on a staycation with kids. Take a little time to brainstorm a fun-filled week of different activities, or opt to switch things up and try something new. With a little planning, an at-home vacation allows you to bond with your kids and take a break from the hectic world.

How to Plan a Staycation

There is no wrong way to plan your staycation fun. First, start with an objective. Do you want to tackle a small DIY project? Are you looking to sleep at home every night or get out for a few nights? 

Write all of your ideas down and approximately how long you think it will take for each one. If you have fewer days than activities, prioritize them, or put it to a family vote.

Try to balance some at-home time with away time. Away doesn’t mean leaving the state, but stay locally (think a short road trip a nearby wilderness area, point of interest, or camp spot). Create an itinerary out of your list with an array of fun activities that the whole family will enjoy.

Lastly, put boundaries around technology. Decide if you’ll have a phone-free staycation or if there will be dedicated technology time throughout your at home vacation. Next, follow the rules! This includes you and your partner, so be realistic about phone and electronic time.

12 Ideas for a Staycation this Summer

These incredible staycation ideas for families include stellar ideas that both teens and tweens will love. Combine a few of these fun-filled ideas for a local getaway to create the ultimate at-home itinerary.

Plan a Local Hike

Get outside and go for a hike. Choose a local trail, pack a picnic, and spend the day in the great outdoors. Not only will everyone enjoy getting a little exercise but spending time outside has been proven to improve mental health.

Choose a hiking trail that’s suitable for your family’s athletic ability via alltrails.com. This website ranks trails by difficulty and shares any notable features. If you can, pick a hike with an area of interest, such as a lake, viewpoint, or unique landmark. Be sure to allow your kiddos some time to snap Insta-worthy photos. 

Camp in Your Own Backyard

Plan backyard campouts with the entire family can be a lot of fun. Pitch the tent outside, bust out the camping grill, and cook up a storm. And whatever you do, don’t forget the s’ mores! 

If you live near excellent outdoor camping options, consider heading out into the local wilderness for a night or two. Teach your kids how to set up camp, bring some books, games and other entertainment. Choose a campsite that is close to some local amenities like hiking, biking, or a cute town center.

Go for a Bike Ride

Plan a full day biking adventure. One of the best ideas for a family staycation is to do the touristy things in your town, by bike! Open up Google Maps and plan for a biking day that hits up a few fun areas such as an ice cream shop, local park, or other roadside attraction.

Don’t forget to take plenty of water and be prepared to take lots of breaks. You’ll enjoy seeing your town in a whole new way.

Have a Themed Dinner Night

Themed dinner nights are a must-do on any staycation itinerary. Go full out and get the entire family involved. Plan a themed meal night, such as a taco bar or a BBQ night. 

You can also plan a dress-up theme like 80’s glam or dress up as characters from your favorite family movie. 

Keep it fun and light, but be sure to get the kiddos involved. Let them cook a side dish or help you with the main event. Invite a friend or two over to make it feel more festive.

Get Red Carpet Ready

Pair up a themed dinner with a movie night that the entire clan will enjoy. Go for gusto with a pre-screening fashion show. Let your kids express themselves with their best dress.

Choose a theme or let them get creative on their own. Play some funky music, snap lots of photos, and have a family member MC the event for even more silly fun.

Throw a Dance Party

Host a dance party for your next staycation idea. Have every family member submit a DJ lineup and give each person 30 minutes to spin their favorite tunes. Provide drinks, snacks, and a dance floor.

Set up a DIY ice cream sundae bar to add some extra fun to the dance party. Don’t forget to hang string lights and turn the music up to set the mood! 

Spend More Time in Your PJs

Choose a day on your staycation to spend time in your PJs. Get the family together for a delicious breakfast feast and spend the rest of the day lounging at home.

Everyone could use more down-time, so why not have a day curling up with a good book, taking a nap, or lounging in the sun? If your crew is into board games, this is the time to bust out your faves for a little competitive fun in your pajamas. 

Have an Outdoor Movie Night

Take a white privacy shade or sheet and put it up on a fence. Next, pull out a projector and set up a a backyard movie theater. Cook up a few delicious movie night snacks and run through your favorite flicks on your next home holiday. Have the family vote for your favorite movie or pick two for a double-feature.

Plan a Scavenger Hunt

Get your kids up and moving with an at-home scavenger hunt. Use clues and small prizes as incentives (perhaps it’s borrowing the car or a small allowance boost). Scavenger hunts are a great way to not only move around but use your creative side too.

Have a Beach Day

Fun in the sun is the name of the game! One of the best ideas for a staycation is to plan a beach day. If there’s water (ocean, lake, river bank or even a water park) nearby, grab the kids and pack a picnic for a day on the water. 

No water? No problem! Have a beach-themed party at home. Use a kiddie pool, sprinklers or even a slip-n-slide to plan a fun day outdoors in the backyard. Make it fun by creating different games or circuits the entire household will enjoy. 

Or check with a local hotel to see if they offer a daily rate to use their pool. This can be a fun way to fill a few hours. Just be sure to pack a cooler with food and drinks to keep your older kids from getting hangry. Check out my road trip snack list for some portable food ideas teens love.

Take on a DIY Project

A great staycation idea for families is to get down and dirty with a little DIY project. Think of something fun, that isn’t too involved and that your kids will enjoy. One example might be redecorating your kid’s room, planting a garden, or building a funky piece of furniture (Adirondack chairs anyone?). 

Gather the supplies and teach your kids valuable skills while they get to benefit from the results. Let your kids choose the design, colors, or even the project. Sure, it might sound like chores, so be sure to choose something fun that the kids will enjoy. 

Host a Lawn Games Tournament

Gather your favorite lawn games and host a tournament. Let the winner have a fun benefit, such as car privileges or two nights of no chores. Set up a scoreboard, drink station, and a few healthy snacks and let the games begin!

Make a Plan to Give Back

Spending a few hours volunteering locally can be a rewarding for family members. Check the local newspaper or Facebook groups to see if there is a community project or a local group that could benefit from some extra help. Or contact your local animal shelter to see if they have dog walking opportunities – it’s a great way to get a little exercise and the pups really enjoy the interaction.

There are countless ideas for a staycation that the whole family will love. Get a break from the hustle and take some time off of work to spend time with your kids this summer. An at-home vacation gives your entire clan a great way to relax and have a little fun without going all-out on a big, expensive getaway.