Trifter

In this time of economic downturn it is important to cut costs on almost everything and let’s face it family vacations are expensive what with the cost of gas, motel charges, and eating out vacations seem to be out of many peoples budgets. But they don’t have to be. Why not consider a stay at home vacation? With a little planning and imagination you can have an unforgettable vacation that fits into every budget.

Here are a few suggestions to make your stay at home vacation inexpensive and fun.

Prepare In Advance

Prepare a head just as you would for any other vacation. In this case you might want to plan on having continental breakfasts. An hour of shopping for toaster waffles, fresh fruit, cererals and other quick breakfasts as well as paper plates and plastic silverware will save a load of work during your upcomming vacation. Make sure everyone has plenty of clean clothes so you won’t spend your relaxation time doing laundry, and be sure to have any little extras that will make your vacation easier and more enjoyable.

Plan a Few Day Trips

It wouldn’t be a real vacation without seeing some new sites and a stay at home vacation has many sites to offer. Almost every area has muesuems, parks, festivals, zoos, petting zoos, planetariums, within an hours or two drive of where you live, that your family has not visited or would like to visit again. Pick out a few and make plans to visit them. you can even place your selections in a hat and draw one each day to add a spark of anticipation to your vacation. Then pack a lunch and be on your way!

Many places have free arts and crafts shows, concerts in the park, and other activities, check with your local chamber of commerce or those in nearby towns to see what is available.

Turn Your Backyard into an Amusement Park for a Day

No, you don’t need to have fancy rides, You can have a frisbee throwing contest, go fly a kite, or have a water pistol war. Invite the neighbors in and have a back yard cook out and sack or wheetbarrow races. top it off with homemade ice cream cones on the deck.

Do Something Different in a Familiar Place

Does your local state park have sand dunes? Why not bring along a flying saucer and soar down the dunes! Or feed the birds at a local park? Or bring along glue, paint, and cardboard to the beach and make sand art from shells, pebbles, feathers, sand and driftwood.

• Don’t forget the simple things. Spend an hour laying in the grass and finding the shapes in the clouds, catch fireflies in a jar, camp out in the backyard, dig out those old board games from the attic and spend an evening playing board games on the livingroom floor. Try a game or two or charades, or have a family talent contest.

Staying at home vacations, can be relaxing, exciting, fun, and bring you a lifetime of memories while letting you explore your own area without overextending your pocketbook. What better way to enjoy your vacation!