Staycation Tips and Ideas + $100 Target Gift Card Giveaway
A couple weeks ago we talked about our Summer plans that we’ve made this year with our family, and a lot of you also chimed in with some awesome trips, activities and projects that you have going on these next few months while the kids are out of school too! Something I noticed though, was that a big handful of people were planning to do the “staycation” thing this Summer, instead of venturing out to do big, extravagant trips.
We’re a family who loves where we live, so staycations are by far one of our family’s favorite things to do too! To us, a staycation can vary from a day hike, exploring places around us in our city we’ve never been to, or a long weekend adventure anywhere we can get to within a one and half hour drive for a day activity or a three hour drive for an overnight or long weekend activity. Three hours seems to be a perfect distance for kids, no potty breaks necessary. In order for an activity/plan to ‘qualify’ as a staycation, there are some rules that we have found help us keep everything on track.
Exploring a local sporting goods store by our home that kept us entertained for hours
Plan an activity that will make everyone happy. For us, it’s not too difficult because we have all girls and their interests are pretty close, but I could see how this could be more difficult with a family of boys and girls. Try out activities that let kids be creative or active. Every kid loves exploring, creating or playing!
We like to use the “When/Then” policy “When we’re done with our hike, THEN we get to go swimming!” This tactic seems to keep smaller kids happy and positive, especially when doing things that may not have them entertained the whole time (museums, historical landmarks, etc…). If you go into a long weekend without a plan, you may end up with whiny kids or sitting around the house trying to decide what to do.
This is a hard one for parents and teenagers. Set ground rules ahead of time and let everyone know what those rules are. They could vary from no texting, emails, gaming systems or TV when doing activities, to leaving electronics behind all together. This one is entirely up to you, but keep in mind phones are still a great thing to have for documenting pictures! Just remember you are trying to make everyone happy, so specific rules can really help.
It is so important to take pictures to remember your excursions. This is what makes a trip special and not just another ordinary day. Pictures are what you will have to remember those moments when you were able to spend time together with your family/friends doing fun, happy things!
If you think that you have done everything in your town, city, county or state, think again. There are so many unique things that so easily get looked over. When’s the last time you drove to a place away from the city lights and had a star gazing party, or created an all-day scavenger hunt within a 50 mile radius of your home? The ideas for staycations are endless… Just remember; have a plan, disconnect, and document!
For more helpful tips, recipes and suggestions on how to create the BEST staycation for you and your family, check out the awesome guide that Homes.com just put out. These ideas are just great all around, for any Mom or Dad that needs Summer activity ideas!
And to kick off your summer plans this year, Homes.com is offering up a $100 Target gift card to one of our awesome readers! Whether you need art supplies, new swimsuits, pool toys or outdoor decor for you patio… you KNOW Target’s got you covered
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How to Enter:
Visit the Homes.com blog idea gallery and pin any idea you think looks like something you’d like to do this summer; whether it be a DIY project, party idea, buying or selling their home, etc. Then just submit your pin link below in the rafflecopter widget!
*** Please Note: You will need to go to THIS LINK HERE, to find a fun image to pin, and then paste your individual pinned URL into the Rafflecopter widget below. Thanks! ***
a Rafflecopter giveaway
*** Please Note: You will need to go to THIS LINK HERE, to find a fun image to pin, and then paste your individual pinned URL into the Rafflecopter widget below. Thanks! ***
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good Luck & Happy Staycationing!
Unknown says
Hi Shelley. The rafflecopter form doesn't seem to be working. I did pin your closet idea here:
pinterest.com/pin/244249979763573520/
Could you enter me or let me know when it's fixed so I can enter. Love this giveaway.
Thanks… Tracy@CottonPickinCute
cpcblogging(at)hotmail(dot)com
Shannon says
Great ideas. Our kids our now sophmores in college & high school. It gets harder to entertain these older ones sometimes. Our staycations even include just staying home, hanging out on the deck and by the pool, doing NOTHING! No housework, no project work, no farm work allowed. It has to be just time to relax and bond.
Shannon says
Great ideas. Our kids our now sophmores in college & high school. It gets harder to entertain these older ones sometimes. Our staycations even include just staying home, hanging out on the deck and by the pool, doing NOTHING! No housework, no project work, no farm work allowed. It has to be just time to relax and bond.
Lisa says
With a missionary out in the field, a stay cation is about all we get. 🙂
Sew Can Do says
Can't get the image to show up on the link to pin:(
Mandy Grimes says
A Staycation is a great idea and I love that it helps support your local economy.
-Mandy
theunhingedhome.com
Unknown says
I pinned this post here –> pinterest.com/pin/136796907404573008/
Your rafflecopter image is invalid for some reason :/
Great tips and ideas; love them!! Thanks!!
Unknown says
i think i pinned it right! i pasted the url, anyway, loved all they had on pinterest. thanks for sharing 🙂
Stacie S-H says
I couldnt see a picture to pin either but I pinned a diff one instead and left the link in the entry box. Hope that counts!
Anonymous says
Hi there. I couldn't pin the image either. I did pin the "Staycation Tips and Tricks" and left the URL in the entry box on Rafflecopter.
Anonymous says
Hi there. I couldn't pin the image either. I did pin the "Staycation Tips and Ideas" and left the URL in the entry box on Rafflecopter.
Anonymous says
I also wanted to say that I loved this post. We are planning a (sort of) staycation in Chicago, which is about a day away from us. You have some great ideas that I will definitely be using to keep my six-year-old happy, engaged and entertained.
Jessica says
i Love this hexagon wall treatment! pinterest.com/pin/86975836526665091/
jessicarwarfield at gmail dot com
Jenny Lynn says
We are having a "staycation" as well. I actually invested in the Pass of All Passes this year and ended up with a pass to a local roller rink. They have already paid for themselves. There is so many fun things we have gotten to do. I like your ideas.