How to Have a Staycation with Young Children

With the rising costs of fuel and the need to slim the family budget, "staycations" have become very popular. But how do you have a fun vacation while staying at home? A little pre planning and enthusiasm on your part will go along way to having a memorable week with your family.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Some fun ideas
• List of unique local events
• A weekly menu
• Enthusiasm!

1. 
   Make a budget for your staycation.

   Plan a budget for your staycation. Although you will be staying at home, you will want to do a few things that you would not ordinarily do to create some special memories.

2. 
   Decide what types of activities you would like to do.

   Talk with your family in advance. See what types of activities you would like to do in your area that you have never or rarely done before. Check to see what types of cultural events will be happening during your staycation such as plays, zoo events, art exhibits, etc..

3. 
   Write down your events.

   Write out the days and where you will be going for each day. This will help to let everyone know what is happening and what will be the theme for the day.

4. 
   Create a

   Plan your outfits and menus according to your main activity of the day. If you are going to the Peter Pan musical, have your family dress as pirates or tinkerbell and eat fish sticks for dinner. If you are going to go to the zoo, dress up in safari outfits and have a picnic outdoors. Of course you need not go to the event in your dress up clothes if you don't want or you don't even need to go out of the house to pick a theme of the day. For example, you can just watch Disney's Peter Pan at home.

5. 
   Camp out in the living room or back yard.

   Camp out in the living room or in your back yard. Kids don't usually care where the tent is set up, just that they get to sleep in it!

6. 
   Create lasting memories.

   Whatever you choose to do, have fun and do it with enthusiasm! Create lasting positive memories of your time spent together as a family.

[wltw]

on 4/20/2009 Very inventive ideas on how to have a stacation with young children!

[sandwichink]

on 3/23/2009 Wow! Great ideas. Thanks :)

[showpup]

on 3/15/2009 I love this idea! Very clever and sounds like so much fun. My kids are now grown but I have a granddaughter and we are hoping to be able to adopt another child soon. Will remember this idea! 5 stars

[Addonis]

on 3/15/2009 sounds like fun.I love it, great work 5*GGTGG

[gnosis65]

on 3/14/2009 Great ideas! I especially love the dress up part! Thanks. RRCR5*!