Thinking of a Stay-Cation? Here Are 9 Ideas to Get You Going

Here are 9 ways you can make the most of your stay-cation while creating memories and still saving money:

1. Go sightseeing and rediscover your town.
Pretend you’re a tourist in town for only a few days and visit all the tourist attractions in your hometown. Find out the history of your town, then check out the museums, art galleries, or the zoo.

2. Go on a modern-day treasure hunt with Geocaching.
Geocaching is fun for kids and adults to get out of the house and explore. Geocaching is the recreational activity of hunting for and finding “hidden objects” or “ buried treasures” using GPS coordinates in your local area. First, download the app. which has everything you need for all your geocaching adventures. Bridgingapps highlights the app here and we found this in-depth resource about geocaching – a great way for kids and grownups to discover the outdoors in a new way.

3. Enjoy a picnic.
Fill a basket with some fun and easy-to-eat finger foods (cheeses, fruits, roll-ups, etc…). Then, find a spot at your local park or waterfront. Let everyone bring along a sketchbook and pencils and see what they observe in nature. Google search and discover “Sunday in the Park with George.”

4. Check out free local events.
Lots of towns host free community events over the summer; these include concerts, cultural festivals, evening movie showings, and even free admission days at the local museum. Do a search for what your city has to offer then check out everything that would be good for your family

5. Have a spa day
Encourage good grooming with a spa day. Turn your bathroom into a luxurious spa with the help of bubble bath bombs, bath oils, or Epson salt soak. Brighten everyone’s faces in the family (boys and girls) with an animal mask facial treatment. Create a peaceful and soothing atmosphere using the proper music playing softly in the background, soft lighting, and the gentle sound of a small water feature adds to a calm and serene atmosphere. This should encourage kids with sensory issues to participate. Relax and let go of the worries of the day.

Spa day tips encouraging good grooming from Pat Cappellino, M.S. Independent Living Services

6. Take a (food) tour of the world

Each night, try a restaurant from a different part of the world—Mexican, Italian, Cuban, you name it. Search for the best place in your area for each cuisine, and then try it for yourself, whether it’s a well-known local fixture or a “best-kept secret” hole-in-the-wall.

7. Try something new 
Expand everyone’s horizons by taking a dance class, trying a pottery class, or taking a cooking lesson. Your city may even offer free classes at the local library or community centers. You can also get together with friends for a game night, a family art project like painting rocks, or get out the clay and make clay animals.

8. Have a movie night.
Set up a projection screen in your backyard or have a Netflix marathon from the comfort of your own couch. Pick a theme, let everyone choose their favorite Disney or Pixar movie and binge-watch them as a family. Don’t forget the snacks like popcorn and candy!

9. Create your own “fun tournament.”
Challenge your loved ones to a tournament of fun and games, like indoor golf, bowling, ring toss, pin the tail on the donkey, relay races, pool noodle and balloon baseball, coloring, or whatever else you can think of. Get trinkets from the dollar store or Oriental Trading to give out as prizes for the winners!

Stay-cations could be called save-cations, so whatever you decide to call it, you will create memories with your kids while having fun and saving money.

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