Your Spring Vacation Break can be fun, refreshing and affordable
Once spring fever kicks in after a long cold winter, spring vacation was critically important in my house.
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“According to a 2018 survey by AAA, some 88 million Americans said they planned to take a family vacation within a year. And just about everyone is into the idea of a family bonding trip.”, Stacey Leasca, over on Travel & Leisure.
The problem I, and many today, faced is affording a summer vacation, no less a spring break. Consider this…
“Financial experts suggest that the average family vacation costs between 5-10% of your total income. If you’re family makes $40,000 per year then experts say your yearly family vacation budget should average between $2,000-$4000.“, Sally Black, over on VacationKids.
The answer is called a staycation. While you may have fond memories of sleeping in for hours while home from college, and binge-watching movies Todays families need to use this precious time together in a whole new reality.
The staycation can have a lot more to offer than expect. To help you brainstorm, here are six healthy staycation ideas that should help you make it active, engaged and feeling refreshed from your routine, while vacationing at home.
Act Like a Tourist
Simply put, don’t do what you always do, or go where you always go. Do what a tourist would do while visiting your town. Typically, locals overlook the obvious attractions — the museums, botanical gardens, or historic sites unless you have out-of-town guests. Go play, without them. Walk the sites, visit the entertainment or historical venues. Just getting out and about in the spring air is good exercise.
Make a Splash
Swimming is great exercise, and nothing gets kids moving like water. Even if it is cold outside, many towns have great indoor venues. water parks, or pools. If it is warm enough go swimming at the nearest lake, beach, or wade in a creek, rent kayaks, go fishing, look for minnows, frogs and crawfish. If you all you got is wading pool in the backyard, fill it and play water balloon catch, or run in the sprinklers.
Take a Hike, or Ride a Bike
A family bike ride or hike is another great way to stay active and connect with each other while enjoying the outdoors. (Pack a healthy lunch, or snacks) If you are like me, you know the park in town, but not the park in the next town. Go check out that to change it up. No of a camp ground near by. Plan an overnight. Spending more time in nature can really change your perspective. Never camped before? Maybe you can just pitch a tent in the backyard. Your kids will love the novelty of doing something different. Don’t forget the S’mores.
Games Make Most Activities more Fun
Plan a board game night with special prizes for winning. Design game activities that can be included in all the activities planned. That walk in the park can also be a can be a scavenger hunt. Even the drives to and from sightseeing activities should feel more like the vacation trip and not like the daily commute. Remember the I Spy Game? Chalk out a hopscotch grid on the driveway. Just going for a walk can be different. Try the penny walk. Leave your house and at each corner, flip a penny to see whether you’re going to turn left or right. Let chance lead you way!
Dining Out (Al Fresco)
If climate allows, eating meals is always better outside. Whether it’s your dinner on the patio or a picnic in the park, try eating some of your meals in the great outdoors. Here is a tip, keep is simple and less time-consuming or fancy. Handle it like a tourist would. Just be sure to include some healthy eats with your favorite take out.
Do no Harm
In other words, make you home world a better place after your visit than before you came. Make spring clean up, part of your local beach or park walk. Teach thru leadership of family the benefits of preserving our plant. I am sure am sure your children will follow and take pride in their home after having restored a small slice of nature. It can be a bonding experience as well as a shared goal. When the staycation is over, I am sure all ya’ll will remember this activity more than any theme park ride.
These idea’s have been part of my staycation experiences. I would love if you would share your experiences. Have you ever taken a staycation? How did you keep it fun & healthy?
Sources and Inspiration
“How to Plan the Family Vacation of a Lifetime“, Travel & Leisure.
“How Much Does a Family Vacation Cost“, VacationKids.
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