Want a Family Vacation Close to Home? Here Are Some Ideas
Sticker shock at the gas pump? Can’t believe how quickly air tickets are rising? Perhaps this is the year to take a family vacation close to home or a staycation. Here are some ideas:
Be a tourist in your own city
Visit your local Chamber of Commerce or Visitors’ Office to get ideas, deals, and a list of special events. Check to see if your city is one that offers special days where museum entrance is free. If not, many libraries offer free museum passes but they’re popular and you need to reserve early. See if there are free concerts or movies in the park. There may be a nearby city you’ve always wanted to visit, do the same thing there. You’ll be surprised how many treasures are close to home.
Check your local library for special events and classes. Many libraries offer interesting lectures that are free and story hours for little readers. Attend these events as a family.
Tour local plants. Many plants offer free tours. It’s often fascinating to see how things are made.
Try new activities together. Go bowling, paintball, skating, or hiking, fishing (Check out license requirements and the minimum size of the fish you can keep. The fines can be pretty high if you get caught fishing without a license or keeping a fish under the minimum size), skating. Fly kites.
Switch roles with the kids. Ask each child to come up with an event they would like to do as a family. Have them plan and make the family dinner one night.
Have a family game or movie night. Play cards, board games together. Choose a movie to watch together. Make special snacks.
Organize a neighborhood block party.A block party can be great fun. Get a permit from the city. See if neighbors would be interested in chipping together for a bouncing machine, photo booth or DJ.
Take classes together. Learn a new language together. Take a cooking class.
Stage your own family production for the neighbors.
Attend a farmers’ market.
Have a spa day.
Save more money by signing up for Groupon and similar websites now. You may get some great deals on local attractions.
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Posted on 25. Apr, 2011 by Patricia in Parenting
