You’ve finally earned a few days off of work, but vacations can be expensive. Reports show that the average vacation costs $1,145 per person. How can you enjoy your time without going into debt just to have a bit of fun?
Staycations are a great vacation alternative that lets you have all the fun of a vacation without all of the expenses! Here are some ideas to help you plan a memorable staycation while staying on a small budget that doesn’t add unnecessary stress to your life.Â
Backyard Beach
Stay cool during your summertime staycation by setting up a backyard beach. Don’t worry if you live far away from the nearest shoreline- you can have all of the beachy fun without having to pay the price of travel.
Find an open area outside to place some tarp down and then spread some sandbox sand across the surface. You can buy a kiddie pool to dip your toes in, mix up a tropical drink of your choice, and relax on your favorite lawn chair to soak up some vitamin D!
Living Room Camping
You don’t have to go outdoors in order to have a camping experience. You can go “camping” in the comfort and convenience of your own living room as long as you’re willing to think outside the box.Â
For a cozy living room camping experience, you’ll need to find every bedsheet, blanket, sleeping bag, and pillow that you have in the house. You can spread them across the floor or spend some time making the ultimate fort that you can binge-watch movies in. Hang up fairy lights, paint forest backdrops with the kids, play nature sounds on a Bluetooth speaker- your only limit is your imagination!
Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt
If you have little ones, it can be hard to keep them entertained during a staycation. Taking time off at home requires a bit of creativity to break up the day-to-day routine that they’re used to. You can bring in some unexpected fun by sending your kiddos on a neighborhood scavenger hunt!
Visit the dollar store for cheap toy dinosaurs, bouncy balls, and sticker sheets. Place them in accessible places throughout the neighborhood and create a list of clues that will lead your little one right to them. They’ll be entertained for hours and have a fun memory that only costs you a few dollars!
Be a Local Tourist
If you’re really itching to get out of the house during your time off, take time to explore the area you live in! Oftentimes, we get so caught up in the day-to-day activities that we miss fun events and experiences that are happening just down the road.
Take a few hours to get in your car and wander so that you can find new things in your local area. Is there a restaurant that you’ve been dying to try, or a park that you haven’t had the chance to visit? Let yourself be entertained by the process of exploration and the simple pleasures that come with it.Â
