Affordable and Fun Staycations

 

The weather has been crazy – some days it is freezing cold while others it is close to 60!  I love the warmer weather and I know many are thinking about Spring Break or those long weekends, right?

As a single mom, I didn’t have a lot of many for vacations and I wasn’t as creative as some of these ideas from the ThirtyOne blogger… We lived close to the shore so trips to the beach and boardwalk were always a easy and inexpensive way to take a break.  Check out some of these “staycation” ideas;

Spa day at home

Fully embrace the spring break spirit with a spa day in your very own home. First, gather the supplies. Fill a Double Duty Caddy with the scrubs, cleansers, mud masks and other items to make you feel relaxed and renewed. Make sure your Glamour Case has a variety of nail polishes so you can choose the hue which strikes you when it comes time for your do-it-yourself manicure and pedicure.

Light a candle, soak your feet and grab a refreshing beverage. Bonus: Now your caddy and case are ready and waiting, it will be easy to create your own at-home spa long after spring break ends, whenever you need a little pampering without the price tag.

Park and picnic lunch

Take in the great outdoors! You don’t need to visit a national park to stop and smell the roses. Head to your favorite local park or playground and relish a few hours under the sun. Hike the trails, spot some wildlife and make the outing a little more special by eating al fresco.

The Picnic Thermal Tote’s zip-around closure makes it easy for you and your companion to pack a picnic lunch, or choose the Fresh Market Thermal when you want to carry enough sandwiches, sides and drinks for the whole gang.

Swim outing (inside!)

Instead of a trip to the beach, stay closer to home! Find the closest indoor pool or water park and spend a day in your swimsuit, come rain or come shine. You might not be able to dig your toes into the sand, but you can enjoy the next best thing when your Essential Storage Tote is filled with snacks, goggles and water toys. Even better? No sunscreen required!

Movie under the moonlight

See the stars – on the big screen and in the sky. Planning an outdoor movie night add a little bit of pizzazz popcorn alone just can’t manage. Once you locate a projector (pro tip: check your local library), the rest is easy. A mobile movie screen (inflatable or otherwise) is great, but a white or cream-colored garage door or even a large blanket will do.

A Zip-Top Organizing Utility Tote is roomy enough to hold everyone’s favorite movies, snacks and drinks with space to spare for outdoor necessities. Keep the bug repellent close at hand in one of the tote’s exterior pockets. Or carry a Catch-All Bin outside, filled with enough candy, napkins and glow sticks to keep even the smallest movie buffs entertained.

Road Trip!

How far can you go on a tank of gas? Forget the overnight bag and instead explore some of those hidden treasures an hour or two from home. A Crossbody Organizing Tote can fit everything you need for a day on the road – books, toys, snacks, water bottles and even a few diapers for tiny travelers. Best of all, you can throw it over your shoulder and keep your supplies close at hand all day long!

What is your favorite type of staycation?  Share it with us…..

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Make the Most of a Staycation

Thank you Moscato Mom for inspiring this post….

As a single mom of a competitive cheerleader, vacations were usually tied to cheering competitions out of state.  Always a lot of fun but not very relaxing.  We were always on the hunt for budget-friendly options.   Today, they are know as “a stay cation” and are often dreaded!   Honestly, we live at the shore, who wants to stay at the shore with all of the “shoobies”.

Check out some awesome ideas for having the best staycation this summer.

Camping

This was not an option for a LONG time when my daughter was little.  She was definitely a hotel and room service kind of girl.  Then she went camping with one of her best friends and her mom.  Despite some hiccups, she had a good time.  Camping memories are some of the best for me growing up.  There are many great sites for camping at a low cost in our area. Some of them even offer it for free! You could even pop up a tent and camp out in your backyard. Camping is a great, cheap way to enjoy the outdoors with your family this summer. Don’t forget to pack the makings for s’mores!

Beach

Pack up the family, the swimming gear and the sunscreen and head to your local beach! Living at the shore, this is not on the tops of my list since everyone else is headed this way.  When we lived in South Jersey, we used to go to the Bay or the Lake.  Most cities around the country have lakes that allow for swimming, fishing, boating and relaxing at the beach. Fill a cooler with lunch and snacks and just spend the day enjoying the water and the sun.

Museums

This was definitely not for us ….If hanging out in the heat is not your favorite thing to do during the summer, you can still have some fun in your local area without spending a ton. Check out your local museums. You can walk around in a nice air conditioned building to beat the heat while having fun learning about history. Admission to most museums is only a few dollars!

Explore  

Pretend you are a “shoobie”.  Are there some new restaurants in town you haven’t been to yet and would like to try? Are there some local parks you haven’t been to before? Another great staycation idea is to spend the day exploring your town. Go to some parks, take a long walk, try out some new local food, grab some ice cream cones, whatever your heart desires. This will possibly be one of the more pricey staycation options but it is far less expensive and stressful than traveling.

Movies

Another option for beating the heat this summer is to head to the theater! A lot of new movies come out during the summer months so it is a really good time to go. Check your local theater’s websites for coupons to save on tickets and snacks. Another alternative to going to a movie is to attend a live-action play. Check out your local playhouse to see what their current productions are.

What is your best “staycation” idea?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!