I had no idea the buzz out on the Internet in travel circles about this word. STAYCATION
The more I read, the more I like. With the high price of gas, it’s becoming a hugely popular idea. So, in the spirit of saving gas, this post is all about a staycation AT HOME. Here are some ideas – some I’ve adapted from other bloggers (noted).
1. Have a boys night (or girls night). Send the opposite sex away from the house…maybe to Grandma’s, or another relative’s or friend’s home. Set up the tent in the back yard, make s’mores over the grill, have a sword fight (use light sabers as this blogger did: http://staycation.wordpress.com/2008/06/17/staycation-tip-4-have-a-sleep-over-no-girls-allowed/), take a bike ride, pull out the DVD player you bought for family car trips and watch an gender/age-appropriate movie…inside the tent, with popcorn. Tell ghost stories. In advance of your camp-out, look up star constellations on the internet (or buy a book about the stars) and find them in the night sky…and then make up some of your own.
2. Science week. This will take some planning on your part to make sure you have all the right ingredients, but do a different science project every day. For ideas, check out one of these sites, or google “Kids Science Experiments” to find your own:
http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiments/
http://www.kids-science-experiments.com/
3. Continue the fun by trying a ( restaurant worthy ) dinner every night (and do as much prep as possible so you aren’t doing too much work!!) Find a recipe for your favorite restaurant dish! With all the $$ you’re saving from gas, you should be able to afford a few more expensive ingredients! Then, invite friends over to taste your culinary creation!
4. Take the family to Asia, visit all the football stadiums of the world, or even Disney…all via google earth. Hook up your laptop to your big screen TV so the whole family can have fun with it! Then, next year when gas isn’t as expensive (we can dream, right!?!?!) maybe you’ll know exactly where the family wants to go!http://earth.google.com/
5. Have an artist in the house? Pay a visit to the family art gallery. You know all those works of art your kids made in school? Why not take down all the pictures in one room and transform it into an art gallery for a week? Then you could go online and look at other artists with your kids. Invite friends and relatives over to admire their work, set up an easil and art studio on the back patio…or fingerpaint with pudding on the windows (it washes off easily…and tastes great!).
6. How about a musician – transform the garage and create your own garage band (just make sure you stop by 8pm so you don’t annoy sleeping neighbors!! LOL). Give your band a name, lipsync to your favorite songs, and record yourself as though you’re doing a live performance.
7. Invite the neighbors and go to the “drive-in.” Rent a movie projector and watch a movie on the side of your house, or on your garage door! Don’t forget the popcorn, candy, and appropriate refreshments! 
Planning ahead will be key…otherwise, you might get pulled off track! And, don’t forget to “pack” the camera – wherever your staycation takes you! You’ll need it, and it could just prove to be your favorite “vacation” of all time!
Oh, and lest I forget, the most important rule is this…BANISH HOUSECLEANING and YARD WORK during your Staycation…Aside from filling the dishwasher (use paper and plastic if at all possible!!) Resist the temptation at all costs!
2 Comments
June 23, 2008 at 8:07 pm
These are some great suggestions.
Thanks.
Feel free to visit my site for some more staycation ideas.
July 1, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Thanks for the link, Paul! (Readers: you can click on Paul’s name to get you to his staycation blog)
-GG