5 Tips for a Fun-Filled Staycation Spring Break

Spring break is right around the corner, and that usually means a week of packing in as much fun as possible. But travel isn’t cheap, especially during a peak time like spring break. That leaves family travelers looking for affordable ways to entertain kids and still have an adventure without breaking the bank. Enter the staycation.

Staying home can be just as much fun when you plan it right. Plan your activities ahead of time as a family so your kids have a say in what they do. When kids are involved in the planning, they have more fun, and the activities are more rewarding. If you’ve got more than one child and they don’t agree on the same activities, make sure everyone gets a turn to do what they love.

Find Hidden Gems in Your Hometown
Travel lets us explore everything a new destination has to offer, but we often forget there are plenty of great attractions in our own hometowns. Whether it is a museum you haven’t gotten to, a hiking trail you’ve been wanting to check out or a nearby town you haven’t explored yet, your own hometown is just as much fun to discover as a faraway destination.

Be Sure to Get Outdoors for Some Fresh Air and Sunshine
While this may be easier said than done since Mother Nature has a mind of her own, take advantage of the opportunity (when the weather cooperates) to get outdoors and be active. Studies show just a little bit of sunshine on your skin each day not only boosts Vitamin D levels but helps stave off depression. This is not only important for adults but for little ones, as well. It also helps teach the importance of physical activity and is a great way to discover things you didn’t know about your hometown.

Plan a Little Getaway in Your Own Backyard
Getting out and experiencing the great outdoors with a camping trip has long been a family-favorite spring break activity, and staying at home doesn’t have to stop you. You can have just as much fun pitching a tent in the backyard or even on an apartment balcony. Creating a makeshift camping trip lets the kids explore their creativity, resourcefulness and their imaginations, along with breaking up the routine of home.

Take a Virtual Trip from the Comfort of Home
Virtual reality has made the world a much smaller place, making just about any place you want to visit at your fingertips. You can take a tour of a distant destination, learn about ancient history as if you were actually there or even take a cooking class from someone in another country. With so many options available, the whole family can fill an entire spring break or just a few hours exploring the world from the couch without having to change out of your pajamas.

Plan a Future Trip
Sometimes half the fun of taking a trip is planning it, and empowering the kids by involving them in that process does wonders for their self-esteem, teaches valuable budgeting and problem-solving skills, and gives them reason to enjoy the trip when they see their hard work and planning come to fruition. During your staycation, take a little time to get the whole group involved by planning when and where you will go next and what you will do while you are there.