How To Survive a Staycation
in Giggles on July 27, 2016
Most of you are going to see this picture come through SIDEWAYS…AGAIN…I cannot-for-the-life-of-me figure out WHAT is making these stupid things turn caddy-wampus…
It looks like we made it!! Here we are at the last post of my Summer Survival Series. So far we have survived a Pool Trip, a Car Trip, and a Beach Trip. This week, after all of our travels…we are staying home.
I know that many of us are feeling the squeeze of an unstable economy, and traveling to exotic and far away places for a summer vacation is completely out of the question. That has been the case for us. So, as we head into the final month of summer, here are my Top Five Tips for ending the summer with a bang.
1. Check with your Friends: Chances are, you and your family are not the only ones who are staying put. In your circle of friends and neighbors, there will be others searching for things to do and folks to hang out with. Get with your kids and make a list of their best friends, and plan pool dates at your house, their house or the neighborhood pool at least once a week. Pool days are free and fun.
2. Backyard Camp-outs: This sounds goofy…I get that. But, think about it. We see backyard camp-outs on TV and in the movies, but how many of us have actually done one? How many of us own a tent? Borrow one from a friend or neighbor, set it up in the backyard, and sleep outside…as a family. The summer is a perfect time to do this. The weather is warm, and it usually does not rain. The kids will LOVE it. Oh, leave the cell phones in the house.
3. Go to the movies: Some movie theaters in the summer run $1-2 matinees. Now, these are typically not new release movies, but who doesn’t love seeing a movie on the big screen? There is a theater by my house that runs specials in the summer that shows six movies for $20. Check your local listings BEFORE YOU TELL THE KIDS…movies at regular price can get very expensive.
4. Your own City: Most cities have loads of summer activities listed on their website homepage…many of which are free or discounted. Chances are, your city and surrounding area, has some hidden gems that you know nothing about. Now is a perfect time to do your homework. Go out and reacquaint yourself with your hometown.
5. PLAY with your Kids: Our kids want our time…even when they act like they don’t. Remember what it was like when you were a kid. How excited were you when your parents played with you? Pull out the board games! Get on your bikes! Go outside! Leave the house after breakfast and try not to come back until dinner time…but go on foot or on bikes. Just see where the day takes you. Make a treasure map or pirate map that will take you through your neighborhood and end up at an ice cream shop. Dust off your imagination and go wild.
I know the summer months can be long, but with a little ingenuity and spunk, your summer can be as fun as they were when you were a kid. The memories you make with your kids will be priceless regardless of the size of your budget.
Here’s hoping your day is filled with ADVENTURE!!
-Dallas