6 Budget-Friendly Staycation Ideas for Families

Staying home doesn’t mean staying bored.

There are a ton places your kids would nominate as a vacation destination this summer, and staying home likely isn’t one of them. So how can you convince them that staying home can be exciting without spending a bunch of money on expensive technology? Fill it with fun and adventure!

Check out these 6 staycation ideas that will go easy on your wallet and still satisfy the little ones.

Have A Campout In Your Background

Grab the tent, the marshmallows and some hot dogs; it’s time for some backyard camping! This is a great opportunity to spend some quality time with the family telling scary stories, roasting food on sticks, and looking up at the stars. The best part? If it gets too cold you can just go back inside! (Also, the indoor plumbing.)

Have Some Fun In The Kitchen

A great way to entertain the kids and get them interested in cooking at the same time is to hold a competition in the kitchen! Organize a “Top Chef” style competition by introducing a mystery ingredient and letting them incorporate it into one of their favourite dishes.

If competition isn’t popular in your household, head to the grocery store and pick out a unique ingredient to cook with. We suggest dragonfruit, as it’s an odd looking fruit that’s sure to spark your imagination!

Host A Family Fair

It’s family fair time! Set up your backyard or public space with classical carnival games and foods! Bust out the ring toss, corn hole, and balloon darts and finish off the day with corn dogs, funnel cakes and cotton candy.

The perfect way to end a carnival night? Hang up a sheet, bust out the projector and watch a movie under the stars.

Build A Fort

A few bed sheets, some sticks, and a bunch of pillows are all you need to build the ultimate staycation fort! If you’re feeling extra ambitious, create a mini fort-village with tunnels and separate rooms. You’ll be surprised how fun it is to put your architecture abilities to the test. To add some extra fun to the night, hang some fairy lights and have a sleepover if your new kingdom.

Arts and Crafts

Bust out the old arts and crafts kit and get those creative juices flowing! Try your hand at making a birdfeeder, tie-dye some t-shirts, or make some good old fashioned slime by mixing cornstarch and water together. You’ll be shocked at the amount of stuff you can create with ordinary household items.

Not much of a crafter? Pull out the paint set and let your inner artist out! Who knows, maybe it’ll be the beginning of a long and passionate relationship with the fine arts!

Plan A Treasure Hunt

Set up a string of clues for your kids to follow that lead them all around the house, yard and even the neighborhood. Make up your own clues or check online for clever rhymes or location ideas.

End the hunt with a fun prize, which can be anything from a chest full of faux gold coins, a long-desired toy or trinket, or a plate of fresh cookies or cupcakes. Add a dash of extra fun by dressing up as pirates or explorers.

Whether you have a lot of free time or a little, a chunk of change to spend or a limited budget, there are plenty of fun staycation ideas to make your summer special for the entire family.