101 Staycation Ideas

101 Staycations Ideas – Episode 351

Staycations are so much fun and this podcast focus is 101 Staycation Ideas that won’t break the bank! In this episode, I’ll share some of the best ideas to enjoy around your own town and state.

Thanks to our sponsor Media Angels, Inc. Learn more at MediaAngels.com

There are many staycation ideas that will save you money. Why a staycation instead of a vacation? Listen here to learn more of the pros and cons of staycations. Staycations are a way to save money as well as have a summer (or fall, winter, and spring) vacation! It is a wonderful way to reconnect and spend time with the people you love, namely your family and friends. Here are a few quick tips for planning your staycation (and be sure to check out the previous podcasts on this topic here and here).

Best Staycation Ideas Tips:

Make a plan. The entire vacation can be spent planning if you don’t plan ahead. At least six weeks if possible before your first trip.
Consider going as a group to get cheaper rates or discounts.
Buy tickets to the theatre at retail outlets that offer discounts for example membership stores offer discounts to the movie theatre and local restaurants.
Look for resident discounts. We have a nearby water park that offers discounts to the residents, and there are often Florida Resident discounts at the theme parks.
Buy ahead – if you know you are going somewhere budget or buy the tickets ahead of time. So, when it is time visit you won’t be out of pocket that money too.
Pack lunch. Food is always so expensive at theme parks or the theatre.
Look for sales.

Here is my list for over 101 Staycation Ideas For Your Family!

Arts & Drama

Children’s Theatre
Puppet Shows
Take art classes – Drawing or Painting class
Paint at home – abstract art – cheap paint and water balloons – throw against a canvas or pin to a canvas and throw darts! Use a drop cloth
Paint tile – go to a tile store and ask for samples or buy broken pieces – paint on these.

Classes

SCUBA lessons or become certified
Learn to sail
Take a gardening class
Swimming lessons
Learn how to landscape
Take a mechanic class
Take a self-defense class
Take a martial arts class
Take a baking/ cooking class
Take sports lessons
Learn how to skydiving

Outdoors

Stargazing
Planetarium
Plan a trip to the museum
Nature tails – go hiking
Plan a trip to the nature center
Study Nature: make own binoculars (t-p rolls) or spyglass – out of paper towel roll, paint or wrap with paper.
Nature hunt – use an egg carton – small nature pictures – kids find each item and bring a sample
Fly remote control planes
Play mini golf Play paintball
Play Airsoft
Go to a Farmers Market or Flea Market
Do an obstacle course
Study Birds – binoculars – bird charts, nature walks, bird feeders
Stage several scavenger hunts
GeoCaching
Camping Trip
Horseback camp
Horseback trail riding
Horseback lessons
Groom horses for pay/ trade lessons
Swim for fun – swim in pond, river or ocean, pool – above ground pool
Rent a jet ski
Go parasailing
Go on a hot air balloon
Go snorkeling
Go boating (rent a boat) kayak or canoe
Plant a garden at home
Go to the Zoo
Go fishing
Build an outdoor fort

Events

Visit a museum
Attend an Airshow
Attend a music production or free park event

Activities

Plant a garden at home
Learn how to landscape
Learn to make fancy paper airplanes
Photography using an inexpensive digital camera or phone camera
Become a History buff – interview a War Vet
Teach yourself to play the recorder, harmonica or keyboard
Camp your Backyard or even family room (campfire cooking, tin foil meals, or stick meals – s’mores)
Europe – Google Earth – study culture – eat foods, dress, etc.
Cook exotic foods – snails, calamari, turtles, rabbit, crab, etc.
Take a cooking class – cook or bake
Taste test foods or drinks – apple juice, different juice boxes, orange juice – blindfold, and rate.
Moviethon – watch an entire series
Buy a streaming service Pureflix
Plan a day trip that is 10 miles, 30 miles or 60 miles from home
Pick own fruit or veggies
NO schedule – try to be unstructured
Don’t limit technology – it is a vacation (unless you see it causing problems)
Trips to the books store
Frequent library trips
Attend talks at the library
Trade books with a friend
Start a book club with regular weekly or monthly meetings
Learn a new sport
Join a summer league
Buy a sports package for home – Badmitton set, basketball goal, etc.
Dinner picnic – watch the sunset
Explore new foods – make homemade ice cream
Night tag – glow sticks – etc.
A yes day – instead of a no day
Try a new hairstyle – short hair, etc.
Try a new wardrobe style
Learn a new skill – carpentry, faux painting, mechanics
Learn good health – healthy eating
Learn about homeopathy
Learn about essential oils
Eat only foods you have never eaten
Learn a new skill like writing, blogging
Learn a new skill like podcasting
Stage your own podcast at home or production
Play games / learn to play chess
Create a summer themed party and invite friends
Go biking
Learn a new language
Learn woodworking
Try to listen to new music – classical
Learn to dance
Create an exercise regime
Train for a 5K
Build an indoor fort
Set up an obstacle course
Buy a pet – train! (or better yet rescue)
Learn about pets – domestic an exotic
Learn to shoot a bow and arrow