You don’t need a passport or a pricey hotel to make memories. In fact, you can transform your living room into a luxurious resort, your backyard into a campground, and even make a regular trip to the park feel special by planning a staycation.
Here are a few tips for planning a successful, budget-friendly staycation and making it a memorable experience.
These activities can help your family make memories without hurting your bottom line.
Staycations Are More Than Just Staying Home
To have a successful staycation, it's important to reframe how you think of them.
Instead of considering a staycation like a last resort, treat it as an opportunity. How you plan the week and your attitude towards the staycation can significantly impact how much fun you have with your family.
How to plan a staycation
First, set boundaries with work by taking time off and making it a point to put your laptop away.
Plan it like you would a typical vacation, with a start date and end date. Mark it on your calendar, and start talking about it to get your family excited about the time together.
You can even take it a step further by deciding not to do any chores. Outsource mowing the yard for the week, just as you would if you were traveling away. You can even try a laundry service and pretend you sent it out at your hotel.
Finally, plan to wear certain clothes for your staycation just as you would for traveling away. Maybe that’s buying your kids new bathing suits for playing with the hose outside. Or making matching t-shirts to wear to the zoo.
Again, the more you plan and treat a staycation as you do a typical getaway, the more memorable it will be.
READ MORE: Cheap Summer Staycation Ideas
Build a Staycation Budget (Yes, You Still Need One)
Even though you're not traveling, it's still a good idea to have a staycation budget.
While there may be many cheap staycation activities near you, you also might want to do paid activities like a museum, mini golf, the movies, or going out to eat.
Plus, purchasing extra items for decorations or crafts can be costly, depending on where you shop.
However, if you create a budget ahead of time, it's much easier to enjoy your staycation, knowing you have everything planned and saved for in advance.
Here’s a sample staycation budget with line items to consider:
| Budget Item | Estimated Cost | Notes |
| Local attractions | $0 – $50 | Museum passes, parking, tours, or gas |
| Special meals | $10 – $50 | DIY themed dinners, picnic supplies, and room-service style breakfast |
| Surprise treats | $5 – $10 | Ice cream, donuts, fast food for lunch, or cookies |
| Activity supplies | $10 – $30 | Craft kits, tie-dye kits, and art supplies |
| Entertainment | $10 – $30 | Renting a movie or buying a new board game or outdoor toys |
| Decorations | $10 – $30 | String lights, special paper for movie tickets, and banners |
| New clothes | $20 – $50 | New bathing suits, t-shirts, or clothing for family pictures |
| Extras | $10 – $50 | Sunscreen, last-minute ideas, and snacks while out and about |
| Total | $75–$300 | Adjustable depending on your family size and the activities you choose |
Tips for Making the Most of Your Staycation
Once you’ve got your budget set and you’ve planned the time off, here’s how to make sure your staycation feels like a true vacation.
Transform your home into a resort
There are small, inexpensive ways to make your home feel more like a resort during this time:
- Set out hotel-sized shampoo and conditioner and put them in a small basket in the bathroom.
- Purchase face masks and bath bombs to make bath time more luxurious.
- Hang up string lights in the backyard.
- Rent or buy a movie projector for a different viewing experience.
These ideas are simple and affordable, but still unique enough to make your week feel more magical.
Explore your city like a tourist
A staycation doesn’t have to mean just staying in your home. You can also explore your city like a tourist.
Research free activities, like visiting a museum on free days for residents or taking a free tour of a fire station.
Think about where you would take loved ones if they were visiting you, and make a plan to see some of the attractions near you.
READ MORE: Budget-Friendly Kid Activities
Dine “out” without leaving home
There are a few things you can do to make mealtime feel different from your normal week.
For example, you can bring your kids “room service” in the morning, make your own pizzas, or get silly taco toppings you wouldn’t usually buy.
Think outside the box when it comes to your meals and consider ways to involve the whole family. Remember, just a little bit of extra thought can create a lot of memories.
RELATED: How To Manage Food Costs on Family Trips
Swap souvenirs for meaningful mementos
Many people like to buy souvenirs on vacation. And even if you say home, you can still create something memorable to remember your staycation.
For example, you could make your own tie-dye shirts. Or you could collect flowers on a hike and press them into a photo book.
Another idea is to print out and laminate movie tickets and have your kids present them to you at home, just as you would at a movie theater.
Remember: Souvenirs don't have to be expensive. They're mementos to keep so you can look back and remember your staycation fondly.
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Avoid These Staycation Pitfalls
To have a successful staycation, here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Over-scheduling: It might seem like planning a lot of activities makes for a better staycation, but downtime is equally as important.
- Planning everything yourself: Letting your kids pick one or two activities is a good way to keep them interested and involved.
- Ignoring the “no work” rule: Once you take a peek at your work email, it can lead you down a rabbit hole, ruining your experience.
- Forgetting to document memories: Don’t forget to take photos and videos, even if you stay at home most of the time.
FAQs About Family Staycations
What’s the cheapest way to do a family staycation?
The least expensive way to do a family staycation is to use activities you already have either in your home or nearby. That means visiting free attractions near you and eating meals at home.
How do I make a staycation feel like a real vacation?
Making a staycation feel like a real vacation is all about mindset and setting aside your work. Also, treating yourself to a few special meals can help your typical home environment feel more like a getaway.
What are some fun staycation activities for kids?
It’s easy to make time at home feel special for kids. Setting up a fort for a movie night, planning a family craft, having a water balloon fight, or camping in the backyard are all affordable, memorable activities you can plan for your kids.
TL;DR: Family Staycation Ideas
A staycation isn’t just about staying home. It’s about creating adventures and memories wherever you are.
Treat your staycation like a real vacation by setting work boundaries and creating a budget. You can even transform your home into a resort with simple touches like string lights, hotel-style toiletries, and “room service” meals.
The key is changing your mindset and planning ahead. With the right attitude, staying home can be just as memorable as an expensive getaway!
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