With rising gas prices squeezing already tight budgets and airline ticket prices taking off, 2026 is shaping up to be the Summer of the Staycation. While it will never make anyone’s bucket list for a dream vacay, the good news is this: There are ways to make a staycation feel like a real vacation. Here’s how.
3 Reasons to Love a Staycation
- Save money without sacrificing fun: Skip airfare and hotels, spend on experiences instead.
- Less stress, more connection: No packing, no delays, just quality family time.
- Flexible and easy to plan: Perfect for busy families and changing schedules.
Best Staycation Ideas for Families (Quick List)
- Order takeout “room service”
- Create a DIY water park
- Plan a themed dinner night
- Have a pajama day
- Host a movie marathon
- Have a picnic indoors
- Camp in the backyard
- Explore local attractions
- Plan a DIY spa day
- Get crafty together
- Host a family talent show
- Have an indoor picnic
- Play board games
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What Is a Staycation?
A staycation is a vacation spent at home or nearby. You save the cost and time involved in traveling to a new destination, but otherwise treat it like a real vacation by taking time off from your normal routine to relax, explore and have fun.
Yes, it would be lovely to pack up the kids and head to Hawaii for a relaxing family vacation. But, if you don’t happen to have a few thousand dollars for airfare, luxury accommodations and fabulous excursions, it doesn’t mean you can’t have fun on your family vacation.
By sleeping in your own beds every night, you save money that you can spend on excursions close to home and maybe a nice meal out. Best of all, there’s no packing list required!
How Do You Make a Staycation Feel Like a Real Vacation?
The secret is having a vacation mindset.
- Plan ahead.
- Break your routine
- Treat the time as special.
- Put that “out of office” auto-responder on your work email and be present, just like you would on any other vacation.
1. Recreate a Hotel Experience at Home
Bring the magic of room service to your living room. Order takeout, let the kids answer the door and announce “room service!” Then eat somewhere fun —like on the bed or in front of the TV while you watch a favorite movie. It’s simple, but it feels like a treat.
2. What Are Easy Creative Staycation Activities for Entertaining Kids?
- Become a Local Explorer: Pack a lunch and take a walk or bike ride around the neighborhood. Challenge the kids to spot something new. The kid who finds the most new things wins.
- Create a DIY Water Park: Buy a plastic kiddie pool, turn on the sprinklers and fill water balloons for backyard fun in the sun.
- Kitchen Bake-Off: Bake some sugar cookies and give the kids colored frosting and other edible supplies to decorate them.
3. Take a Food-Themed Trip without Traveling
Pick a country and build a meal around it. Cook together, try new foods and play music from that destination. It’s an easy way to “travel” via your tastebuds.
4. Why Is a Pajama Day the Ultimate Staycation Luxury?
Because doing nothing — on purpose — feels indulgent. Spend the day in PJs watching movies, reading or relaxing. No schedule, no pressure. You don’t even have to get dressed!
SheBuysTravel Tip: Make it more fun by surprising everyone with matching PJs. You would have bought some new clothes for a vacation, right? Spend that wardrobe cash on the PJs.
5. How Do You Plan a Fun Indoor Picnic?
It’s no different than planning a fun outdoor picnic, except for the outdoor part. Spread the picnic blanket on the floor, set out the picnic supplies and have at it! An indoor picnic means never having to cancel because it’s raining.
6. Explore Local Attractions
I’m blessed to live in Chicago, which WalletHub ranks #9 on its list of best cities for a staycation.
There are so many things to do in Chicago that people come from all over the world to vacation here. So why shouldn’t a Chicagoan staycation here?
We’ve got world-class architecture, incredible city parks, a wealth of top-tier museums, amazing food, plenty of free things to do with kids and a theater scene that rivals the best of New York City.
If you aren’t close to a major city, you can still find plenty of things to explore in your own backyard. Start by googling “things to do near me.”
SheBuysTravel Tip: If you have a Chicago Public Library card, you can get free passes to city museums. If you don’t have a library card, buy a Chicago CityPASS for discounted admission to city attractions.
7. How Do You Turn Movie Night into a Staycation Highlight?
Go beyond the one film and make it a movie marathon. You can choose a series — watch all of the Harry Potter movies, for example — or let each family member choose a movie for the family to watch. Instacart a bunch of movie-appropriate snacks so you can settle in for a full day of relaxing together.
8. Can You Really Go Camping at Home?
Absolutely. Set up a tent in the backyard, complete with flashlights, sleeping bags and scary stories.
Or skip the mosquitoes and keep the fun indoors. Just lay out the sleeping bags in the living room.
Either way, you’ll be close to a real bathroom!
Add s’mores, flashlight stories and camp songs to complete the experience.
9. How Can You Create a Classic Family Game Night?
Break out board games or teach the kids card games. Switch up teams, keep score and offer small prizes to make it feel special.
10. Should You Splurge on Something During a Staycation?
Absolutely! If there’s room in your staycation budget, go for it.
I always budget for at least one splurge on a vacation. It could be anything from a massage to a meal to a hot air balloon ride.
A staycation shouldn’t be any different. Budget for something your family will treasure. That could be anything from dinner at the new restaurant you’ve been dying to try to a night in a nearby hotel with an awesome pool.
FAQs About Family Staycations
Are staycations really cheaper than vacations?
Yes. By eliminating the cost of transportation (airfare or gas) and hotels, you can significantly cut costs while still enjoying memorable experiences.
How do I make a staycation feel special for kids?
Add novelty. You’ve saved a lot of money on transportation and hotels; use some of it to eat in new places and splurge on fun kid activities. If your kids are old enough and responsible enough, give them a budget and let them plan some of the staycation activities.
What are the best staycation ideas for families on a budget?
Free or low-cost activities like game nights, movie marathons, picnics and local park visits are great options. Ask other parents for their recommendations on the best free things to do in your area. Parents are always the best resource for that!
Should I unplug during a staycation?
If possible, yes. Setting boundaries with work and devices helps everyone feel like they’re truly on vacation.
How long should a staycation last?
Even a long weekend can feel refreshing. The key is treating the time like a real vacation. If you wouldn’t do it while you were on a bucket-list vacation trip (anything from checking your email to cleaning the kitchen), don’t do it during your staycation!
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