45 Fun and Creative Family Staycation Ideas
Look through this list of 45 family staycation ideas to find a fun activity for your whole family!
Staying close to home instead of travelling long distance for a vacation can be a great way for family members to spend time together.
Why Have a Staycation?
Everyone knows what a family vacation is, but what exactly is a staycation?
As the name suggests, with a staycation you either stay at home or at a local hotel, instead of traveling long distance for a traditional vacation.
Many families find staycations to be a fun way to have a unique experience both with little kids and older kids alike.
Affiliate links included below, which means I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my disclosure here.
Benefits of a Staycation
There are several reasons why a family might choose a staycation over a more traditional vacation.
For one, staycations can be the perfect way to do fun activities while providing more flexibility and comfort than a regular vacation.
Since you’re staying at or nearby your own home, you have access to all the conveniences and comforts of home (such as your own bed). That’s a big plus for many families!
This can be a blessing when you have small children or special needs kids who don’t easily adapt to new or unfamiliar environments.
You can then make adjustments or tweaks based on your family’s unique situation or needs.
Staycations also give you more flexibility in terms of scheduling and dealing with uncooperative weather such as rainy days.
You can choose to do a staycation for part of a day, a full day, several days, or a week — the timing and duration are up to you and your family’s schedule.
Another advantage of having a local staycation is getting to explore your own backyard.
You might be surprised at what a great time you have and all the new things you encounter in your local area!
If your family homeschools or just enjoys learning about history and geography, a staycation can be the perfect time to do some fun things while also gaining knowledge in a relaxed, informal way.
How Much Does a Staycation Cost?
There is really no way to calculate exactly how much a particular staycation might cost.
However, you’re likely to save hundreds–if not thousands–of dollars over what you would spend on a regular summer vacation.
As you likely already know, vacations can be very expensive!
With a regular vacation involving driving or flying long distances, it’s common to spend thousands of dollars on travel expenses, lodging, meals, and amusements.
Tickets to well known attractions like Walt Disney World can easily run into many hundreds of dollars for a family with several kids.
Not all families can afford a costly vacation. Even for those with the financial resources, having a few staycations each year could provide as much or more family fun as a traditional vacation, while also saving you money.
If you’re really on a tight budget, several of the staycation ideas in the list below can be done very inexpensively.
To help make special memories, you may choose to buy some equipment or supplies to carry out one of these staycation ideas for your family.
However, you’re still likely to come out way ahead financially compared to the costs of a traditional vacation.
45 Fun and Creative Family Staycation Ideas
Now it’s time to go over all of these fun staycation ideas!
As you go through this list, I’m sure you’ll find several great ideas that could work for your family.
You may decide to stay at home and try something special. Or you may go out and do something close to home at some local attractions.
There so many options for creative ways to do a staycation!
Depending on your time and resources, you could do several activities as part of one staycation timeframe.
I hope you enjoy these fun ideas and that they help you have the perfect staycation for your family!
1. Have a picnic in a local park
If you live in an area with a local park, that could be a great place to go for a family picnic!
You could pack a picnic basket with special food, drinks and treats.
You might also buy special plates and tableware to make for a memorable picnic lunch.
If the weather is nice, you could spread out a blanket and have your picnic on the ground.
2. Explore hiking trails in your area
Getting out in nature and exploring hiking trails can be a wonderful way to spend time together while getting lots of fresh air.
If you need help finding a nearby trail, AllTrails is a free app for cell phones. You can search for local trails in your area, and read reviews from other hikers.
Exploring local hiking trails and going on nature walks was one of our favorite outdoor activities when our kids were younger.
We loved to watch birds and other animals, while collecting leaves, rocks, or flowers.
3. Create an at-home movie theater with popcorn and snacks
You may already enjoy watching movies as a family.
But what about having a movie marathon in your very own at-home movie theater? It’s possible!
You could use your regular TV for viewing. But to make it extra special, consider using a projector and large “screen.”
If you have a projector and some type of screen, you could even set up a backyard movie theater!
This will take a little planning and the following items:
- A white wall or sheet to act as a movie screen
- A projector to display the movie on the screen
- Device that plays the movie such as TV, laptop or phone. This device connects to the projector.
Make it an extra special and cozy time with lots of popcorn. (This popcorn popped with this stovetop popper is so good!)
You might also enjoy the family slideshow activity down below.
4. Have a backyard camping adventure
If you want to camp out without going to a campground, consider setting up tents in your own backyard!
All you need is a tent and some bedding and you’re ready to go!
You could also have a cookout (here’s an easy DIY fire pit), play outdoor games (see below), and set up a hammock to further expand the camping atmosphere.
This is also a great activity to pair with stargazing (see below).
5. Visit a nearby zoo or wildlife sanctuary
Most kids really love seeing animals, particularly in their natural habitat.
Visiting a zoo or wildlife sanctuary is a great option to see some of God’s beautiful and fascinating creatures.
6. Go on a bike ride
If your family enjoys biking (or wants to learn), going on an extended bike ride is another wonderful staycation activity!
You could just ride around your neighborhood, or on designated city or park bike trails.
If you live in an area with scenic bike trails, that would be another great option.
For toddlers who are too young to bike on their own, bike trailers are a wonderful accessory.
7. Have a family game night
Having board game nights is one of my favorite family activities.
We have some family favorite board games that we often play. But for a staycation, it would be fun to try some new board or card games.
If you have a child in the 6-year-old range, I have a blog post all about finding the best game for them!
Playing video games might be another option, although board games tend to promote more togetherness and communication.
8. Take a scenic drive
If you live in an area with a lot of natural scenery or historical spots, going on a scenic drive and enjoying the views can be a great option.
Homeschooling families who do unit studies on local fields of interest might also be able to tie in their studies to specific locations on their drive.
9. Visit a local museum or art gallery
Most large cities (and some smaller ones as well) have museums and art galleries.
Here is one helpful list of museums in the United States.
Some cities also have a children’s museum with interactive exhibits, which are perfect activities for young families.
If you don’t have any local museums, consider doing a virtual museum tour (see below).
10. Have a DIY spa day
This staycation idea might not be as much fun for dads or boys, but moms and girls would love it!
You could do things like facemasks, bath bombs, and even relaxing massages!
11. Take a cooking class together and prepare a meal as a family
Instead of going out to eat at a local restaurant, why not take a cooking class and then prepare a special family meal?
The cooking class could be either attended in person at a local class, or watched online.
This would be the perfect opportunity to try out a new recipe from the comfort of your own home!
And don’t forget to have a special dessert such as homemade ice cream. This is the ice cream maker my family uses and enjoys.
12. Go on a scavenger hunt
Another fun activity that could be done is a scavenger hunt.
Usually, the parents hide items (it can be new items or household items you already have) and provide clues that kids can follow to find the items.
As a fun twist, kids could hide items while parents do the searching!
Scavenger hunts can be done indoors and/or outdoors.
13. Have a family sports day
Having a family sports day with various outdoor games would be another great family staycation idea.
This could be something simple like tossing water balloons into buckets, or playing outdoor games like pickleball, badminton or volleyball.
For indoor play, or outdoor play at night, laser tag can be a really fun activity.
14. Visit a nearby beach or lake
If you have a lake in your area or live near a coastal beach, heading out for a day of swimming and sunbathing is a great activity for the summer months.
Kids of all ages enjoy having a lot of fun by playing and splashing around in water.
If you have all little children, setting up a kiddie pool at home might be a great choice for water activities.
More summer-time activity inspiration: 32 Simple Summer Activities for Kids
15. Explore a nearby town or city as tourists
This next activity requires a little creativity but can be a really fun event for families.
For this staycation idea, you approach a visit to a nearby city as if you were a tourist planning a visit there for the first time.
This might involve doing online research for popular tourist attractions or special events, then going to visit one or more of those attractions in that city.
16. Stargaze at night
One more really fun way to spend a staycation evening is going outside to gaze at the stars.
This will only work if you live in an area where you have minimal outdoor lighting.
You may need to travel a little way out of the city to find a spot where you can clearly see the night sky.
Having a stargazing guide and a good pair of astronomy binoculars can really help bring the sky into clearer view.
17. Take a virtual tour of famous landmarks or museums
Would you like to visit famous landmarks and museums but aren’t able to go there in person?
Well, due to the wonders of technology, you can take a virtual (online) tour of many famous attractions.
Here’s a list of famous museums that offer virtual tours.
18. Have a themed costume day
Having a themed costume day is another great idea for staycations.
Each family member could dress up as their favorite character. This could be characters from movies or books, historical figures, or even friends or family!
While we didn’t do this specifically as part of a staycation, my family has dressed up as Reformation era characters and had a lot of fun!
19. Organize a family photo shoot
I have to admit that this activity would be a dream for my own family staycation, as I love planning and taking family photos.
Going to a local park or other picturesque locations such as state parks and taking family photos is one of my favorite ideas!
If you need any inspiration for this activity, I wrote a blog post about what to wear for family photos.
20. Visit a local farm or petting zoo
Petting zoos or farms that accept visitors are other great options for families, particularly with younger kids.
Some zoos or farms may even offer pony rides or horseback riding activities.
21. Have a family DIY arts and crafts day
A wonderful way for a family to spend time together is by having an arts and crafts day.
This activity could be totally customized based on your kids’ ages and interests.
All you need are some arts and crafts supplies and a good bit of creative imagination!
You could even have a family painting or pottery session as part of your arts and crafts day.
22. Take a scenic boat ride or canoe trip
Another idea for your family’s staycation is going on a boat ride or canoe trip.
Many marinas offer boat rides or tours, or canoe or kayak trips on lakes and rivers.
Our family has also used inflatable rafts to go out on nearly lakes.
23. Visit a nearby botanical garden or arboretum
Botanical gardens and arboretums can be other interesting places to visit as part of a staycation.
A couple of years ago we visited a large, beautiful public flower garden in a nearby city.
There were so many gorgeous varieties of roses! Everyone in our family enjoyed visiting that garden.
24. Explore local historical sites and landmarks
We’ve been fortunate enough to live near several historical sites and landmarks over the years. (We even lived for a while on a street that was part of the original Santa Fe Trail!)
There are so many historical landmarks where we and our children can gain insight into important historical events.
You could even research your city’s history and then visit some of the original buildings or locations where important local events occurred.
25. Have a family karaoke night
This idea may be a little far out for those of us who aren’t really into performing.
However, kids would likely have a great time singing their favorite songs as if they were on stage in front of a crowd.
You can get a karaoke machine if you want the full experience, or you can just sing without amplification.
(Also check out the family talent show idea down below.)
26. Set up an outdoor obstacle course
One really fun outdoor activity is setting up an obstacle course in your backyard.
This can be as simple or elaborate as you want. You could even set up a family-friendly Olympics-type even with various sports and challenges.
It might take a little time to get everything put together, but kids will really enjoy this!
Here’s a helpful article on how to set up an obstacle course.
27. Visit a local aquarium
If you live in or near a big city or cost, you may have easy access to an aquarium.
These are wonderful places to see fascinating sea creatures and learn about marine life.
28. Build a fort in your living room
Another easy but fun staycation idea is to build a fort in your living room.
You can customize your fort based on the layout of your room, but it can be as simple as a few chairs covered with blankets.
Little kids will likely think this is one of the best ideas!
29. Explore a nearby nature reserve or national park
Visiting a nature reserve or national park can be a wonderful way to spend a staycation.
Here’s a helpful list of national parks in the United States.
30. Have a family photo slideshow night
When my kids were little, my husband liked to take 35mm film photos of our kids and turn them into slides.
Not a lot of people use film anymore, but you can still do a family photo slideshow using a projector and photos from your phone or digital camera.
This can be a great way reminisce about past events and milestones in your family.
31. Set up a backyard water park
For an extra special staycation event during a summer break, consider setting up your own backyard water park.
This could be something simple as hooking up a yard sprinkler.
Or you could do something a bit more elaborate with water games, a trampoline sprinkler, or a water splash pad.
32. Visit a nearby amusement park or theme park
Visiting an amusement or theme park is something often associated with a regular vacation.
But it could also be done as part of a family staycation plan.
If thrill rides at big amusement parks aren’t really your thing, look for local carnivals or fairs with activities that appeal to your family.
33. Have a family book club
If you have a family of readers, having a family book club could make for an enjoyable staycation.
For this approach, you would read and discuss a good book together. If the book has been made into a movie, you might also watch the movie to see how it compares.
To save money, you might check your local library for book selections.
34. Visit a local farmer’s market
Visiting a local farmer’s market might not seem like one of the best places for a staycation, but it could still be enjoyable!
Some farmer’s markets are really large and include not only food items but homemade crafts and homesteading items.
You could sample fresh produce such as fresh fruit and vegetables, and maybe buy some new things to try out at home.
35. Set up a backyard mini-golf course
Another fun and creative staycation idea is setting up your own mini-golf course in your backyard.
Having a little golf course would be a fun way to spend some time at home as a family.
You could even turn the event into a tournament with little trophies or ribbons for the winner or all participants.
36. Turn your home into a hotel
For this activity, you pretend like your home is a hotel where your family stays as guests.
You could set up a check-in desk where family members get keys, towels, and other accessories associated with hotel stays.
During your stay, you could order “room service” and have food delivered to your “hotel.”
You might also get some travel-sized soaps and shampoos to make the experience more realistic.
37. Visit a nearby historical reenactment
Next up on our staycation ideas activity list is visiting a historical reenactment.
This could be something like a Civil War reenactment, Renaissance fair, or other history-related event.
38. Have a family talent show
Want to showcase your family’s skills in acting, singing, performance, or comedy?
Have a talent show where different members take turns showing off their talents.
This could be done in conjunction with a karaoke-type event (above) or as a standalone activity.
39. Have a dessert extravaganza
The next idea is something that would appeal to anyone with a sweet tooth — having a family dessert night!
You could make ice cream sundaes with special cups and colorful toppings.
You could also do something like a tropical-themed fruit bar for a sweet but healthier option.
40. Visit a local science center
If your family has an interest in science, consider visiting a local science center or planetarium.
Here’s a list of science centers in the U.S.
41. Set up a backyard carnival
One really fun staycation idea is having a backyard carnival.
You could have an assortment of activities along with games and small prizes.
This article has some great backyard carnival inspiration.
42. Visit a nearby water park
If you have a water park in your area, spending a day at the park on a summer day might be a great option for your family.
If you don’t have a water park nearby, create your own backyard water park (see above).
43. Take a scenic train ride
Another fun family day trip would be taking a scenic train ride.
While riding the train, you could pretend you are back in the 1800s riding out west for the very first time.
You might also combine this with a picnic (see idea up above).
44. Have a family dance party
Put on your your favorite music and dance the night away for another enjoyable staycation activity!
There are many dance tutorials online if you’d like to try out some new dance moves.
45. Visit a local trampoline park
The final entry on our list of the best family staycation ideas is visiting a local trampoline park.
Kids of all ages enjoy the physical activity of jumping and bouncing around.
Some parks also have climbing centers for older kids.
More Family Activity Ideas:
55 Family Mealtime Conversation Starters
Best Audiobooks for Family Road Trips
How to Create a Family Mission Statement
25 Screen-Free Summer Activities for Kids
Closing Thoughts on Family Staycation Ideas
I hope you’ve enjoyed this list of great family staycation ideas (and maybe found a new idea or two)!
A staycation can be a great alternative to traditional vacations, offering more flexibility with less cost.
So whether you choose to stay at home, remain in your own town, or drive to a location or activity in your area, there are truly all kinds of fun things for families to do!
You’ll make some great memories while spending quality time during your family staycation.
