Even though the days are technically longer, they seem to fly by when you’re not working. Projects at home, no matter how important they seem, can eat away at your valuable leisure time. Don’t let your summer vacation get away from you! Here are some suggestions to help you make the most of your summer staycation.
- Spend some time outdoors, everyday! Picnics, parks, local hikes, and bike rides are great for cheap, outdoor fun. So lather on that sunscreen, grab a hat, and get outside!
- Try something new. Or trying one new thing each day. Check out this book for some great ideas. Grab a friend and have some fun!
- Have a bonfire, complete with marshmallow roasts and campfire songs!
- Be a tourist in your own county. Try a Google search for “Best of…” or “Things to do in…” and you will come across some places to visit that you didn’t even know were there.
- Ride public transportation. Here in San Diego we have trolleys, buses, and the Sprinter and Coaster trains that you can ride to some great tourist spots. Most major cities have some sort of commuter train, trolley, or bus system that can also be used to see the sights of the city.
- Have a plan for the week, and write it down. If you have kids, let them help you sketch out a loose plan for what they would like to do. Something as simple as “go window-shopping at the mall” gives kids (and adults) something to look forward to. When vacation is over, you can look back at your calendar or “bucket list” feeling confident that you made the most of your staycation.
- Do a water play day. Turn on the sprinklers, set up a slip & slide, fill water balloons, squirtguns, a kiddie pool- use whatever you have available to cool off on those hot summer days.
- Be carefree. Put yourself in a mental state for having fun, no matter what happens. If something goes wrong, don’t turn into a grouch. It’ll ruin your opportunity to have fun.
- Set a summer routine. If you have kids, you know that they need to have some structure or they get a little wiry. The same is true for adults. Set certain times for meals, chores, TV, exercise, reading, etc. for those days when you stay at home.
- Dress up! Come on, you know you want to. Just for fun, wear one of your “nice” outfits, even if it’s just for a trip to the local train museum or library. It’s fun to pamper yourself, and vacation is the perfect time to do it.
- Hire someone to clean the house for you. Hire from a local maid service or use friend recommendations to find a housecleaner. If you can afford the luxury, you won’t regret coming home exhausted from the pool to a clean house.
- Read a book. Now is the time to cozy up under a shady tree or tan by the lake with your favorite author. Or try a new author. Check out goodreads.com for recommendations based on your reading preferences.
- Host a barbecue. On most days it’s too hot to cook indoors, so take advantage of the warm weather and fire up that grill!
- Take plenty of pictures! Document all your summer fun by snapping photos of all the places you visit. Even trips to the neighborhood park are worthy of sharing with family and friends on Facebook.
- Make a lunch date with yourself, a friend, your significant other. Restaurant lunches are fairly inexpensive. Treat yourself to some quality time with some good company.
- Pamper yourself. Give yourself a mani/pedi, take a nice buble bath, or just relax in the afternoon breeze and take a nap. Vacations should include time for relaxation.
- Put yourself on a technology-time-out. Set your cell phone aside and don’t check emails everyday. Your office knows you’re on vacation, so you are off-limits to them. This is your time!
- Have a family movie night. Do it up right with popped popcorn, dimmed lights, maybe even let the kiddos make movie tickets and set up a concession stand!
- Invite friends over for a game night. Make it a potluck and have everyone vote on their favorite dish, with a prize for the winner.
- Go for a drive. Hop in the car, crank up the tunes, and check out the local sights. For even more fun, head out in the late afternoon and catch the sunset from somewhere new.
- Finish a puzzle. Puzzles can be fun and relaxing at the same time. Put on some of your favorite music, grab a cold drink (preferably with a straw and umbrella) and enjoy your time at home.
- Go geochaching. Haven’t heard of this? It’s like local treasure hunting using GPS. It’s super fun, free, and there are treasures (geocaches) worldwide.
- Do a craft project. Choose a DIY that you’ve been thinking about or check your local craft and hobby store for a kid-friendly project.
If you are lucky enough to get time off of work this summer, you will want to make the best of it. Hopefully these suggestions will give you some fresh ideas for a fun, affordable staycation.