Family staycation ideas

According to how most people seem to define a vacation, we skip it every year

We'll go to the beach, the lake, go camping, do day hikes, etc. We all enjoy those types of activities. The fact that they are easy on the budget is just a perk. I don't understand the big "need to go on a vacation" mindset, and that if god forbid you don't go on one you are somehow shortchanging your family. There are plenty of memory making, family time, activities you can do at home or close by.

I have lots of ideas! Even when we do take a vacation, we do lots of staycation stuff.  One of my top priority goals (on the FTJ 100 dreams list) is making the most of wherever we live.  Here are some ideas and tips.

• Google "free things to do in Your Town"
• Call the museums, zoos, aquariums, etc and ask if they have free days.  They might have a regularly scheduled one. They might have sponsored ones (my husband's company sponsors a free day at the children's museum every year, for anyone who goes, not just employees).
• "Like" all these places on facebook to be notified of free or discounted days, coupons, special events etc.
• Sign up for summer reading clubs at the libraries and bookstores
• Sign up for free summer bowling
• Consider buying a membership to one or two places and making those your highlights.
• See if there are any state parks or recreation areas in your area. 
• Ask around. If you see someone with kids your age at an event, ask if they know about any other fun, free things to do.  This is how I found out about random things like a reservoir/beach, a FREE children's museum, and a FREE splash park in our area.
• See if your movie theaters do free (or $1 or $2) movies on weekday mornings. (2013 Summer Movie Programs)

And of course there are dozens of things you can do at home!  Here are a few of the ideas we've collected on the board.

• Obstacle Courses
• DIY Summer Camp: Money
• DIY Summer Camp: Food
• DIY Summer Camp: Nature
• DIY Summer Camp: Rocks
• DIY Summer Camp: Bubbles
• DIY Summer Camp: Spanish Camp
• DIY Summer Camp: Paint
• DIY Summer Camp: Water Play
• DIY Summer Camp: Kitchen Science

We did a small trip in March.  We will be having a "staycation" this summer.  We have a boat and river place so that's where we will be.

FYI, I updated the summer $1 movies lists with 2012 links.  Most start around June 19!!!

We are forgoing the planned vacation this year (we were going to D.C. and camping along the way) because we just bought a fixer upper house.

During DH's already scheduled vacation time, we will be doing updates on the house (probably the bathroom), but we do have tickets to go to the local amusement park (free from my mom's work), and we might go camping one night at a local campsite (we have a voucher for 1 free overnight trip).

Besides that we will be doing the libraries summer reading program, the local church has free movie nights, and just some random craft projects I bought in prepartion for nasty winter weather (which did not happen this year).

One thing to note if you do a staycation.  It really helps to get all chores done BEFORE it starts.  That includes yard work, laundry, picking up, etc.  That way, it's more relaxing and you don't feel anxious to get those things done.

Also, unplug electronics, phones, etc. if they interfere with family time.

We are planning on spending more time up at my in laws cabin this summer, they aren't up there during the week and dh can work from up there so it will work out good.....hoping for a week at a time or maybe he will go home when he has to and we will stay.

We are just doing a small trip this summer.  We have a cabin on a campground with lots of stuff to do...fishing, swimming, crafts, outdoor movies at night etc.  And we'll go to a water/amusement park.