As gas prices go up, family vacations go down. It’s an unfortunate correlation that we don’t have much control over. The good news is that you don’t have to go somewhere exotic to have a good time. With the rise of a more service-based economy, there should be no shortage of fun, new experiences to partake in right in your backyard.
If you’re short of ideas, or you just need a little bit of guidance, we’ve got 6 awesome thought starters for your next staycation. Whether you want to go budget-friendly or money isn’t a consideration, these tips should be a great jumping off point. The best thing about a staycation is that it can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be!
Get a massage
There’s nothing more relaxing than a massage. With the stressors of work constantly tugging and tightening your body, a good rub down from a professional masseuse is a great way to loosen up. Most massages can cost less than a tank of gas, especially if you drive a big truck or live in San Francisco.
Crash a Pool
Pools are an amazing asset to have around in the summer. Whether you go to a community pool, use your neighborhood’s, or borrow a friends, laying by the pool is an awesome way to unwind. While I would never condone trespassing, there’s almost always a poorly monitored neighborhood somewhere whose pool you can crash. Catch some rays!
Have a Field Day
If you have little kiddos at home, a field day is a cheap and fun way to get outside with the whole family. You can create all sorts of fun and games with standard household items and still have a blast. Baseball bat spin races, bike balancing competitions, and three legged races are just a few of the possibilities. An added bonus is that your kids will get tuckered out, leaving you parents a relaxing evening to yourselves!
Throw a Home Theater Day
You don’t have to go out to the movies to enjoy some movies. Get some popcorn from the store, stock up on soda, and binge watch some movies with the family! Whether you just want to stream Netflix, watch the whole Star Wars franchise, or revisit every episode of the office, riding the couch with the whole family is a nice, relaxing, and affordable way to enjoy a stay at the house.
Go Backyard Camping
If you’re an outdoor person, but you don’t want to drive to the wilderness, set up your tent in the backyard! You can make s'mores inside, grill out, then sleep under the stars. If you have kids, they’ll love it. If it’s just you and a significant other, you might be surprised at how romantic it can be spending the night outside together!
Find an Escape Room
A recent addition to basically every city is an escape room establishment. For a pretty low price, you and your family can take part in a participatory experience where you try to figure out puzzles in order to escape from a room. They’re tons of fun, affordable, and they usually switch up the rooms all of the time.
The possibilities for having a fun staycation are endless. You don’t have to spend money all of the time to have fun. You just need some creativity, togetherness, and a willingness to think outside of the box.
