Staycation - What Is it? How Do We Do It?

This year we opted not to go on holiday - It just seemed like too much hard work and a lot of unnecessary expense since Autumn's arrival last year. So this year, we've opted to have a "staycation" instead.

What is a staycation? 

A staycation is when you holiday without going away! You vacation, while sleeping at home! Boring, right? Wrong!!

Staycations can be fun and varied and you can do all of the various activities you would do on holiday,without the added expense of paying for accommodation.

What do you do on staycation? 

Anything you want!! That's the beauty of it. You can go anywhere and do anything during your days.

This year, we are planning a scavenger hunt at Alice Holt Forest, a picnic on the beach, swimming at our local open air swimming pool, building a Tipi, rounders (baseball) and hot dogs, and a BBQ.

How about the evenings?

If you have a tent, you could camp in your garden. If you don't you could camp in your living room or set up a camp for the kids in their bedroom. You could use your BBQ to toast marshmallows, or sit around the chiminea (if you have one) and sing campfire songs. You could play board games, card games or do karaoke.

 

How do I prepare?

Preparation is key! After all, you want your staycation time to be fun, so you don't want to spend that time doing housework if you can avoid it.

Before your staycation begins, spend a couple of days getting things in order. Get the kids to blitz their bedrooms - and not just shove it all under their beds, catch up on all of the laundry and use my school uniform system to prepare everyone's outfits for the week in advance. Stock up on quick and easy meal items (hot dogs, burgers, pasta, ingredients to make toasties, pizzas), attack the living room, kitchen and dining room, get out board games for the week ahead. Stock up on disposable plates, cups, bowls, serviettes and cutlery - after all, no one wants to be stuck doing the dishes on holiday!

Plan in advance with the kids what you would like to do each day, make a packed lunch for the next day once the kids have settled each night, so you spend less time getting ready the next morning. The earlier you leave each day for your adventure, the more time you will have there each day and the less crowded it'll be when you arrive - ideal if you want to set up base camp at the beach or your local outdoor pool.

And remember, the most important rule of all... Your staycation is supposed to be fun, you enjoy yourself.