Introduction:
Family-friendly vacations can be stressful and frustrating, but the goal of family-friendly stays is to enjoy a relaxed and rejuvenating experience. Making the experience truly relaxing and rejuvenating for all the family members is definitely possible. The key is to plan ahead and know how to stay away from certain activities that can turn into stressful adventures or potentially cause conflict among the members of your traveling party.
A family-friendly staycation can be an amazing way to take advantage of the glorious weather, without breaking the bank. But it's important to remember that it's not just about spending lots of money. You also have to plan ahead and avoid stress. Here are a few things you can do to ensure your family-friendly staycation is relaxing and rejuvenating for everyone.
Seek out local nature
If you're going to take a family-friendly staycation this summer, consider how you can make it more relaxing and rejuvenating for all of you. The best way to do that is by seeking out local nature and getting outside.
When families travel together, they often have a tendency to split up into smaller groups than they would like. And while it's important that the kids get some alone time during their staycation, the adults should also get some time away from them.
If your kids are old enough, perhaps they can explore the local woods or trails in their area on their own. Or perhaps they'd enjoy visiting a local aquarium or zoo where they can see animals up close and learn about them. If there's no nearby place where you can take them, consider taking them on a day trip somewhere interesting: Maybe a nearby winery or farmers market would be fun for everyone!
If your whole family isn't interested in nature or animals, there are still plenty of things you can do together! Maybe go for a bike ride on the beachfront trail or go for a swim at your local public pool. You might even want to join your local park district (or volunteer) and help maintain or build trails so that there's always something new to explore in your area. Or maybe try a new hobby together: Perhaps go geocaching or bird watching, or try your hand at gardening. If none of these ideas appeal to you and your family, ask around and see if anyone has any good suggestions!
Take it easy
It's important to take it easy. If you feel like you're running around after everyone, it won't last long. You don't want to be constantly exhausted and irritable. Also, remember that it takes time for your body to recover from a staycation. If you went shopping all day, expect a bit of soreness in your muscles and joints the next day, especially if it's hot out and you spent some time outside.
If you do feel tired or sore, take it easy and rest! Your body needs rest as well as recreation, so don't push yourself too hard or take risks by doing activities that are too difficult for your current state of health. If you've been having trouble sleeping, take a nap. If you're feeling stressed or anxious about something, try to relax or engage in some deep breathing exercises. Get enough sleep and eat well so that your body has the fuel it needs for your daily activities.
Set a budget
As with any vacation, you will want to set a budget. In this case, you'll need to calculate how much money you can spend on activities during your staycation and how much money you can save by not traveling. Of course, there are always costs associated with travel — airfare, hotels, and dining out. But if you plan ahead, you can include these as part of your budget.
For instance, if you're traveling with family or friends, figure out which of you will pay for the hotel room and meal expenses and who will pay for transportation (airfare). Then make sure that everyone's budget is covered before booking the trip. You may even want to ask friends or family members if they'd be interested in joining you on a family-friendly staycation instead of going out together as another option to consider.
If you're traveling alone, make sure that your budget is sufficient in covering all expenses. In addition to airfare, hotels, and meals, you'll also want to include entertainment costs like admission fees for museums and theme parks or local attractions. While traveling with children can be more expensive than traveling without them, there are ways you can save money while still enjoying yourselves.
Be flexible
Be flexible. If you're going to be somewhere that's family-friendly, you might as well make sure it's a great place to be. If your family-friendly destination isn't going to live up to expectations, don't force yourself and your children into it.
Make your stay fun. You can't expect to relax if you're worried about what other people think of you or about whether or not someone will take photos of you and post them on social media. Your family should be able to enjoy their vacation without having to worry about what others are thinking or not thinking. Have some fun before you leave and during the trip, even if it means getting a little messy or doing something that's not exactly "family-friendly."
Plan for things that are out of your control
When you plan a family-friendly staycation, it's important to have all the details ready so that you can relax and enjoy your time off. You need to plan for things that are out of your control, such as traffic and weather. Make sure to check the forecast before booking any activities.
Planning ahead also means preparing for unexpected glitches. If you want to go out on the town, be sure to bring cash with you because many stores don't accept debit or credit cards. Also, if you're traveling with kids, make sure they are wearing sun protection and have their immunizations up-to-date — not all doctors are up-to-date on these requirements!
If there's one thing that will ruin a staycation trip for your family, it's being stuck in traffic or having to spend too much time at a theme park when it isn't fun anymore because everyone has been sick from germs picked up in a line or at the theme park entrance.
Go on an adventure
The best way to ensure that your family-friendly staycation is also relaxing and rejuvenating is to go on an adventure. You don't need to travel far or spend a lot of money on this, but there are plenty of ways to get out of the house and enjoy some fresh air. If you have kids in tow, consider taking them on a hike or bike ride. If you're not sure where to go, think about doing something new and different each day so that by the time you get back home at night, you'll be excited about returning.
When it comes to choosing activities for your staycation, try something that's fun for everyone — especially your family members who aren't interested in getting outdoors as much as others. For example, if one member of your family loves reading but doesn't like hiking or cycling, find a local bookstore or library where she can pick up a book while still getting out into nature.
If you're looking for things to do with kids rather than just adults, then try renting an inflatable pool or renting an air mattress so that everyone can enjoy themselves without having to worry about what they'll do afterward
Do things as a family, but branch off from time to time
Do things as a family, but branch off from time to time. Take advantage of the time alone together and spend some quality time in each other's presence. If you're not used to doing this kind of thing, consider getting some activities planned ahead of time so that everyone knows what's going on when they get there (e.g., movies or games).
Go somewhere new together and make memories that last beyond your trip. The more time you spend together outside of the hotel room or resort, the better! If you've never been out before and want something different, check out local attractions like parks or nature reserves that are close by; they'll be great places to take pictures and get away from it all for a bit (just don't forget the sunscreen!).
Conclusion:
These are all great ways to make sure that your family-friendly staycation is also relaxing and rejuvenating for you, too. Be sure to find a balance in these suggestions and keep everyone happy. The bottom line is that almost any trip can be a staycation if you plan carefully.
You don't need to obsess over finding the perfect hotel, the most luxurious spa treatments, and the best restaurants. Just be sure to include things to do as a family, visit places that interest everyone, and have some flexibility in your plans. If you can set a budget and adhere to it (even better), then you'll have a stress-free time together that's more than memorable. So get out there and enjoy!
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