Great "Stay-cation" Ideas for You and Your Family for this Fall and Winter

Do you and your family desire to go on a vacation this Fall or Winter but that just doesn’t seem possible?  There are bills to pay, business slows down during the cold seasons, kids are in school, and there are just too many things to get done around the house?

Don’t let responsibilities prevent you and your family from enjoying life and each other.  You and your family can still enjoy a vacation from your daily routine and life stresses without spending tons of money or going very far.  Have a “Stay-cation”. 

“Stay-cations” can be fun, relaxing, and create new family memories without costing a lot of money, requiring traveling very far, having the kids miss school, or making you feel the stresses of leaving all of your responsibilities far behind.  It’s a nice way to get away while staying on a budget.

Benefits of “Stay-cations”

You can include other family members or friends to come along since it’s not much of a commitment

You teach your children how to enjoy life and have fun without having to spend much money

Experience nearby activities, opportunities, or establishments that you often overlook

There is more money to allocate towards other things rather than hotels and airline tickets

If commitments dictate, you can skip a day in the middle of your Stay-cation to do work or take care of something and then pick back up on your vacation

Appreciate all that your state or region has to offer with activities, attractions, and natural beauty

Avoid small expenses that can add up like airport food, baggage fees, travel documents, taxis, laundry fees, and more.

Cook, prepare, and pack meals to bring along to avoid the costs of restaurants and hotel food

“Stay-cation” Ideas

 

Visit a pumpkin or animal farm or take a road trip to visit several farms in your region

Enjoy a day at the zoo

Take a road trip to beautiful parks nearby and admire the colorful changes in the trees

Cook a delicious family meal and have a candlelit picnic on your living room floor

 

Go on a nature walk and collect leaves and acorns to use in art projects

Find awesome corn mazes to get lost in

Make a trip to grandma’s house and have a baking day.  Make homemade pies and cookies

Have an arts and crafts day.  Make Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas decorations or get an

early start on Christmas gifts such as cards, decorative candles, ornaments, or painted coffee mugs.

Spend a day at an animal shelter to play with and pet the animals.  Stop at the store beforehand to pick up a few treats, bones, toys, and cans of food to donate.

Go to a drive-in movie or a movie in the park

Take a local chocolate, candy, or food tour

Make your rounds to local and nearby museums of different types: history, science, children’s, art, and any others that may interest the family

Build a fort in the living room, fill it with pillows and blankets, bring snacks, and tell each other stories

Spend an day at an elderly home.  Make a bring them holiday cards or small homemade gifts.

Plant a “thankful tree”

Write and create your own homemade books.  Take them to elderly homes, hospitals, or shelters to read to others

Carve or paint pumpkins

Attend Fall Festivals in your area

Create a scavenger hunt for the kids to enjoy

Choose a favorite non-profit organization and spend a day volunteer at an event or donate your time helping with anything that they need

Go to a theme park or an indoor water park

Take a road trip to a nearby family-fun hotel or water park to stay for the weekend

Buy and create care packages for the homeless in preparation for the cold season

Tips on Creating Your Best Family “Stay-cation”

Visit Tripadvisor.com for ideas

Look on Groupon or LivingSocial for deals and ideas

Google “things to do” in your area

Visit the website of your local Chamber of Commerce or Visitors Bureau for ideas

Have the kids brainstorm fun and creative ideas

Find Volunteer opportunities and events on VolunteerMatch.org


Don’t let a tight budget or work prevent you from enjoying this season with your family and loved ones.  You may not be able to jump on a plane and fly to a tropical island right now but, that doesn’t mean that you and your family can’t have a wonderful and fun time together on a budget-friendly and more local “Stay-cation”.  With the weather cooling off and Winter just around the corner, there are lots of great ways to have a fun and memorable “Stay-cation” with your family!