Planning on a staycation this March Break? Some may find a staycation daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! Here are eight tips on how to fully enjoy a staycation (perhaps you can even try one a day), without the stress and exhaustion that international travel can cause.
Think of it as being a tourist in your very own city or province. You can stay indoors, cozy and warm, or get outside and enjoy an adventure.
Planning Your Staycation
Half of the fun is planning your staycation is counting down the days, and planning it together as a family. Make a countdown calendar – a simple calendar crossing off days will do, or a paper chain with loops for each day until the staycation is awesome too! Decide how many days your staycation will consist of, and agree that the regular chores can wait (no laundry!)
Things You Can Do At Home
Ask your kids for suggestions. Here’s a few ideas to get the gears turning:
Plan an indoor excursion. Take a trip to a museum, gallery or science centre (to name a few). Whatever your interest may be – from antiques and art to science and nature – there is an exhibit for you.
Game Day: Blow the dust off the old board games (or go grab some from the thrift store). Cards, video games, Minute to Win It, or Minecraft all can count on Game Day. Designate a time for each of the categories of games you want to paly. Players go head to head to win a ridiculous trophy and bragging rights. The food is simple finger foods you can eat one-handed like nachos, veggies and dip, and cookies to snack on.
Visit a local ski resort. Take a day, or two, to hit the slopes with your family; you can ski, snowboard, snow tube or hike, the options are endless.
- Tip: If you have family members who are motion sensitive, GravolTM Quick Dissolve Chewables (available for kids and adults) are an effective and convenient option to treat nausea, vomiting and dizziness, so you can get there more comfortably and with less worry. (Don’t take GravolTM chewables and drive, as GravolTM Quick Dissolve Chewables may cause cause drowsiness).
Camp Out in the Living Room: Set up your tents in the living room and go camping. No electronic devices allowed! Do some tinfoil meals on the grill, cook hot dogs over your fireplace or campfire pit, or make a S’more bar. Tell ghost stories, play flashlight tag, or go on a flashlight walk around your neighbourhood after dark.
At-home makeovers. Be your own glam squad and grab those nail polishes, make-up powders, sparkle eye shadows, styling tools and last but not least…BatisteTMDry Shampoo! It’s perfect to use between washes and easy to use. Applying quick burst revitalizes hair and removes any excess oil, adding body and texture. With the new limited-edition BatisteTM Ella Henderson Sweet & Seductive Dry Shampoo, you’ll feel like a celebrity, with hair that looks, feels – and smells – great!
Get Adventurous: Pull those bikes out of the shed, grab the dog and explore a new trail. Take your smartphone and try geocaching. Rent a boat, Segway or bicycle built for two. Explore a new playground, or playground hop between the neighbourhood ones.
Chef for a Day: Pick out the menu of the day and get adventurous in the kitchen. Scour your local farmer’s market, grocery store for steals and ingredients and prepare a gourmet feast. For a splurge, hire a personal chef for a day, or visit the swankiest restaurant in town you’ve always wanted to try. Don’t forget dessert from a charming little bakery or cafe!
- In addition to all the good food you’ll cook up, make sure all family members get the get their daily recommended nutrients by taking VitafusionTM Men’s or Women’s Complete Multivitamin and Lil’CrittersTM Gummy VitesTM for kids.
Do-It Yourself Day: Grab your computer and have each family member pick 2 items from Pinterest to get crafty with. Head to your local craft or building supply centre to get all the required pieces. Each family members has to help with each of the projects. Too complex? Grab a couple craft kits from your local book store or craft store for easy DIYing.
What other ideas have you tried on a staycation? What was your favourite?
Giveaway
On behalf of your family’s most trusted brands, here’s a staycation giveaway for you to enjoy:
- Vitafusion™ Women’s Complete Multivitamin
- Vitafusion™ Men’s Complete Multivitamin
- L’il Critters™ Gummy Vites™
- Ella Henderson for Batisteâ„¢ Dry Shampoo
- OxiCleanâ„¢ Versatile Stain Remover (not pictured)
- Arm & Hammerâ„¢ Truly Radiant Clean & Fresh Paste (not pictured)
- Arm & Hammerâ„¢ Spinbrushâ„¢ Truly Radiantâ„¢ Clean & Fresh Battery Brush (not pictured)
- Arm & Hammerâ„¢ Spinbrushâ„¢ Paw Patrol Battery Brush (not pictured)
- Arm & Hammerâ„¢ Spinbrushâ„¢ Disney Descendants Battery Brush (not pictured)
- Nairâ„¢ Wax Ready-Strips Legs & Body (not pictured)
Value: Approximately $80
a passionate recreation coordinator by day, crazy farm mama of two by night. i live outdoors: growing my own food, camping and hiking with my border collie with two active kids in tow. when I’m not writing, I’m experimenting with recipes, and crafts – or anything else that might keep the monkeys entertained.
I think you posted a question from a previous giveaway.
We go geocaching on the trails, it is a lot of fun.
I’m seeing a question about a camera. Our stay cation using consists of movies and baking with the kids
Geocaching! 🙂
Baking together
We like to get adventurous by doing outdoor excursions and activities we’ve never done before!
I like to get some good books and settle in and relax
You and your family may have overlooked the most interesting parts of the city or town in which you live in because you get stuck in a routine or are too busy to explore. Visit your local
We go on long rambly walks and search for birds and squirrels.
We love to camp out in our backyard
We love watching movies, and doing crafts during our staycations.
We like to visit local tourist attractions!
We love to go hiking and for bike rides!
Our favorite staycation is spending a day at the zoo or hiking or biking along the river.
We’re trying geocaching for the first time! Can’t wait!
we like movies and baking
We love playing games, going for bike rides and cooking together
WE love doing themed crafts together
movie night
my grandchildren like to go to our nearby city of Halifax and visit some attractions
We love to hike and take in local events.
We like getting outside as much as we can and exploring our city, going to the parks, or just walking around.
We are going to local historical sites and museums.
playing board games
we love watching movies and doing crafts
We love taking walks, bbqing and enjoying the outdoors, weiner roasts.
We like to visit one of the attractions in our own city that we have never been to.
We like to get outdoors and enjoy the warmer weather. We like to go on nature hikes to see what has changed over the season
I think bowling or indoor mini golf are fun activities to do together as a family 😀
We like to hike and discover natural areas around our city.
We go to the park!
We have a local hotel that has a water park in it. We like taking our little guy there once a year
Cozy up in bed and binge watching movies with all the kids.
We are touring our own city
e like checking out local attractions and festivals
Our favorite staycation is going to the local lake and having a picnic.
We love to walk around the neighbourhood and go to the park.
We always visited museums and attractions in our nearby city of Halifax