9 Tips for a Fun Low Cost Family Staycation

Around 46% of Americans go into credit card debt to fund a family vacation. In the current economic climate, that’s madness. Inflation is high and many people are struggling to pay their bills on time. But, everyone deserves a vacation and the good news is that you don’t have to break the band to enjoy some time off. There’s no need to travel to exotic locations and you can put your cash to better use at home. In this article we will present nine tips that will help you to enjoy a fun family staycation.

Visit the Park

Let’s start with something incredibly simple and yet many people wouldn’t even consider it for a vacation or staycation. A park is a great place to have some family fun in the fresh air and best of all it’s completely free. A good park may have walking and cycling trails, playground equipment for the kids, open spaces to throw a frisbee or fly a kite and more. Take a quilt for some impromptu sun bathing and take a book that you’ve been meaning to read. The best thing about a public park is that you can be as active or relaxed as you like.

Take a Picnic

While you’re at the park why not make a day of it and take your lunch or dinner with you? Eating outdoors is special, the food seems to taste better and you can turn a simple meal into an event. There’s no need to be too elaborate, all you need is a blanket to sit on or there may be picnic tables in the park. Put together foods that you would be eating at home to save money and sandwiches are always a firm favorite. If there’s a BBQ area, you can cook outdoors and take a cooler with you to keep your drinks cold and your food fresh. 

Play Sports

For the athletically inclined, there’s touch football, basketball and baseball. But, even those that are incapable of trash talking and jump shots can have fun too. A simple game of cornhole, wiffle ball or even hide and seek can deliver plenty of fun. If you don’t have enough friends and family to play, get on a local Facebook community group and set up a league! When you have a couple of teams, you can play kickball at the park and you won’t need a lot of gear to get started. This is an excellent way to meet new people, get some fresh air and exercise and reconnect with family and old friends. 

Hiking

Enjoying the great outdoors is an excellent way to make the most of your staycation. It will get you out of the home to explore nature and get some exercise. If you’re not sure where to hike, do an online search with your favorite mapping app. This will reveal all the best places to hike in your area with images to let you know what you’re likely to see.  Some platforms even rank hiking trails based on user reviews and the difficulty of the terrain. All you need is a smartphone, a daypack, some bottled water, healthy snacks and a good pair of hiking shoes or boots. Ideally, you should hike with at least one other person, but if you are going alone make sure someone knows where you should be. This will be important if you become lost because people will understand where they need to search. 

Host a Movie Marathon

If the weather is bad or you want to enjoy a fun evening, you can host your own movie marathon. All you need are some movies to watch, popcorn, beverages and food. Everyone can bring something to spread the cost and there’s no need to dress up. You can even set up a voting system to determine which movies you’re going to watch for the evening. 

Host a Board Game Night

Many people have board games or role playing games sitting on a shelf that they haven’t used for a long time. Even a deck of cards and a few friends can provide hours of free entertainment. To make the evening extra special, get everyone to compete to be the champion of games. Make sure you have drinks and snacks on hand and see how many games you can play in a single evening!

Become a Tourist in Your City

This may seem like an odd suggestion, but many of us don’t properly explore the places where we live. We often put off a trip to a local art gallery or museum or other attraction because in theory we could go at any time. These places will be filled to the brim with culture and fascinating history and most are free to visit. If you plan your staycation to coincide with a music festival, tours or other events, there’s even more fun to do. Use ride sharing or carpooling to reduce the transportation costs even further. If you’re new to your city, visit the local tourism website to find places that you need to visit. 

Enjoy a Spa Day at Home

Order some budget-friendly spa products, such as face masks, bubble bars, essential oil and more. Put on some relaxing music, light some candles and take a luxurious bath. If you’re more adventurous, invite some friends over to try out some products. With a little practice you can give yourself and others a facial or a manicure! 

Organize a Tasting Tour

In your city it’s likely that there are plenty of places to eat that you’ve never visited. Many of these restaurants, eateries and bars will have budget-friendly starter plates to share. These showcase the quality of the food and they are a great way to enjoy an affordable meal with friends. Visit multiple places, order a drink with each plate and enjoy yourself. If you’re not sure where to go, check online or seek some suggestions from foodie friends and family. 

In Conclusion

With a little planning and imagination it’s easy to organize a fun staycation. This is a great way to relax and unwind without worrying about adding to your credit card debt.