| Summer is here! Although that phrase may bring | | | | why not pitch a tent in the backyard. It could be |
| up slightly different feelings for children than | | | | a trial run for the real camping trip. |
| parents, more and more Americans are have to | | | | Museums/Planetariums/Botanical Gardens |
| cut down on expenses by staying home for the | | | | Your local botanical garden, planetarium and |
| summer or other school holidays. | | | | museums are often more prepared than you are |
| You may not be going away, but there is | | | | when it comes for ideas on keeping kids educated |
| absolutely no reason that you and your family | | | | and entertained. It's so easy to spend an entire |
| cannot still have fun. To make a staycation truly | | | | day, but before you go check to see what kind |
| work you have to actively plan for it like you | | | | of special events/exhibits are on. A tour is a |
| would an ordinary family vacation. To ease the | | | | great way to make sure your time is focused |
| disappointment of children (and yourself!) who are | | | | and not spent wandering around aimlessly. |
| used to travelling every time school is out, make | | | | Theater/Music |
| sure that everyone is involved as much as | | | | Find out what kind of outdoor plays and/or music |
| possible in the planning. | | | | events are playing in your area. If they are being |
| The best thing is to do some research months in | | | | held in local parks, why not pack a picnic and |
| advance for upcoming local events or programs in | | | | invite other family members or neighbors with |
| or near your community. One suggestion is to get | | | | children. If there is a weekly summer series, this |
| a big wall calendar in which members of the family | | | | could be a great thing to put on the calendar. |
| can write down things that are coming up. It's | | | | Nature/Wilderness Walks |
| important to treat your staycation as special as if | | | | Even if you live in a city, your local park might |
| you were all going to Disneyworld or the Grand | | | | have special hours where park officials give guided |
| Canyon. Getting everyone involved in finding fun | | | | tours of the park. Or if you are not too far from |
| things to do will help to create some enthusiasm | | | | a national park, you will more than likely be able to |
| and also take the burden off parents to plan | | | | participate in a wilderness walk of some kind. This |
| every single activity. | | | | could be one of those activities that is both fun |
| So, do what would normally do if you were going | | | | and educational. |
| off on holiday. Get the maps out, surf the | | | | Sport Centers |
| Internet, and make up an itinerary. Of course, you | | | | There is more than likely a sport center near you |
| do not have to schedule activities back-to-back, | | | | that is filled with family activities such as miniature |
| just make sure that there are days where you | | | | golf, basketball, bowling, rock climbing, etc. Often |
| have several options, particularly a back-up plan | | | | these also have summer-camp style classes for |
| for rain, sold-out events, etc. | | | | kids. |
| Here are some staycation ideas for the whole | | | | Town Festivals |
| family: | | | | Every city has a number of different festivals |
| Camping | | | | celebrating all kinds of things such as cultures, |
| Even if just for a night, a camping trip to a | | | | cuisine, music, etc. The best thing is that they |
| nearby state park can be a great getaway. Also | | | | often have free entry and can be a great way to |
| do some research into some nearby trails that | | | | spend an afternoon. |
| the entire family can handle. And on a clear night, | | | | |