You need a break.
You love your home, but staring at your own four walls for weekends on end has got you down.
What can you do, when nothing is open and your vacation budget is looking slim?
A staycation could be the simple, easy, and fun break you’re looking for.
Just like the name implies, a staycation is a break from reality that you can enjoy from the comfort of your home. It doesn’t use up vacation time and can turn an everyday weekend into an experience that you’ll (hopefully) remember with a smile.
These 18 staycation ideas cater to your needs as a couple, whether you’re looking for an adventure or need a kid-friendly option.
For the Thrifty Couple
Just because you’re on a budget doesn’t mean you can’t dream. Sure, that exotic vacation may not be possible right now, but you can create your own travel experience right in your own home. Here are some ideas.
1. Tour a Virtual Museum
You don’t have to fly to the UK to view the British Museum, or New York to visit the Guggenheim. The Musée d’Orsay in Paris is available at the click of a button, as is the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy.
Tip: Make it a group travel experience by setting up a Zoom meeting and sharing your screen.
2. Try a New Cuisine
You may not be able to get out to that fancy new restaurant, but that doesn’t mean you can’t dine well at home. Spend one Saturday researching a new cuisine. Find a recipe online, pop to the shop for ingredients, then make it together.
Tip: Set the table with your best dishes, napkins, and candles for a fine dining experience.
3. Transform Your Bedroom Into a Luxury Hotel Room
One of the best parts of a vacation is the luxury accommodation. Even though you don’t have a bed as big as a lake with fresh sheets and room service at home, you can still recreate the experience.
Tip: Make your bed with hotel corners, put a chocolate on the pillow, and bring up a tray with fresh fruit, bottled water, and a bottle of wine if you so choose.
For the Busy Couple
Between work, family obligations, social events, hobbies and exercise, it can be hard to find time for romance. No one knows this more than the Busy Couple. But even couples with a full schedule can still take time for themselves by planning a weekend staycation.
1. Create an At-Home Spa
Bring out the face masks, drinks and massage oil for a fun, at-home spa on a budget. Recreate the experience of a couples massage and facial by doing your own face masks (if your guy lets you!) and giving each other a luxurious massage. This will help you wind down from a busy week and get yourself in the relaxing mindset of a vacation.
Tip: Create your own face mask for an additional DIY activity you can do together.
2. Create Your Own Bar
Fruity cocktails are half the fun of being on holiday! Get out the mixology book, break out the bottles, and slice up fresh fruit or the add-ins of your choice.
Tip: Keep the glass sizes small so that you can sample a variety of different cocktails.
3. Play the “Get to Know Me” Game
With so much to do, it’s sometimes hard to find time to sit down and have a conversation. Use these printable prompts to reconnect with your partner and maybe even discover something you didn’t know about them.
Tip: Add in a few of your own prompts with questions or facts you want to learn.
For the Adventurous Couple
The Adventurous Couple is always traveling, spending time in nature or planning their next adventure. While their typical vacations usually include some sort of outdoorsy activity, a staycation can also be a great opportunity to embrace the spirit of the outdoors from home.
1. Camp Out In Your Backyard
You don’t have to be away from home to enjoy the serene, rugged feeling of camping. Pitch your tent in your backyard or driveway so you can enjoy the outdoors while you’re still at home (with the bonus of hot water and a bathroom just a door away!).
Tip: If you don’t already have one, consider splurging on a portable fire pit so you can even enjoy roasted s’mores and hot dogs from home.
2. Take a Long Walk or Hike
There are many ways to explore nature in your neighborhood or the surrounding area. Some cities have nature trails that you can explore or parks you can walk around in, but even if that isn’t an option, a long walk around the neighborhood will still help you feel the many benefits of being outdoors.
Tip: Consider investing in a bird, plant or animal field guide so you can spot wildlife while you explore.
3. Make an Adventure Mood Board
For those with wanderlust, the excitement of the next adventure is always brewing. An adventure mood board is a fun craft that you and your partner can complete together that will help you visualize and plan for your next actual trip.
Tip: Use these printable mood board labels and tags while constructing your mood board.
For the Mindful Couple
There are many ways that couples can focus on mindfulness together. From yoga and meditation to gratitude practices, the Mindful Couple is devoted to being fully present in their daily lives. A mindful staycation can help you relax and ground yourself while further connecting with your partner.
1. Do Yoga Together
Recreate the feeling of a relaxing yoga retreat without having to travel. There are many free yoga videos online that you and your partner can follow along with from home.
Tip: Do yoga outside at sunrise or sunset for maximum relaxation and mindfulness.
2. Make Shapes Out of Clouds
Being outside is relaxing and rejuvenating, and there are so many fun ways to spend time outdoors. Enjoy the simple pleasure of a nice day by making shapes in the sky. Lay down a blanket and look up at the sky, then take turns spotting shapes in the clouds.
Tip: Make a story with your partner out of the shapes you spot to make the activity more interactive.
3. Meditate Together
Meditation is a great way to deepen your gratitude and acknowledgement of the life around you. By meditating with your partner, you can focus on your thankfulness and gratitude for each other while also relaxing your body and mind. Light candles to meditate on and use essential oils to create a calming atmosphere.
Tip: Use this meditation worksheet to elevate your focus and guide yourself through the meditation.
For the Long-Term Couple
As time goes on, couples can sometimes lose touch even though they see each other everyday. A staycation is a great opportunity for the Long-Term Couple to reconnect with each other and have fun while doing it.
1. Discover Each Other’s Inner Child
How much do you know about your partner’s childhood? Dig out old photos and tell stories about what it was like for each of you growing up.
Tip: Remaking or innovating meals you loved as a child can be a fun, nostalgic experience.
2. Recreate Your First Date
It doesn’t have to be exact, but there are many ways to revisit your first date and laugh together about how little you knew about what your future was going to hold. If you went out to the movies on your first date, you could set up a home screening of the film complete with popcorn.
Tip: Still have the same outfit you wore on your first date or something similar? Dress like you did all that those years ago!
3. Do a Puzzle
Teamwork and collaboration can help a couple bond with each other while having a good time. Ditch the cellphones, pour a glass of wine and work together on a puzzle. Finding ways to work together to complete the art project can reestablish your compatibility, while the activity also provides a great opportunity to chat.
Tip: Make your own puzzle using one of your favorite photos with one of the many online photo printing options.
For the Couple With Kids
Having kids brings joy but leaves less time for romance. But there’s no reason why the Couple With Kids can’t have a fun weekend that brings the whole family closer.
1. Turn the House into a Dance Hall
Dim the lights, hang up colored string lights, and put on some tunes. Turning your living room into a dance hall can help the whole family get some exercise while also having fun!
Tip: Let everyone in the family contribute to the playlist so everyone’s tastes are represented.
2. Make a Picnic and Go to the Park
Take advantage of a beautiful day by packing a lunch and heading for a local park, field or playground. Each member of the family can collaborate on the meal, and eating together will be that much sweeter.
Tip: No phones at lunch! Make this time for connection and togetherness.
3. Set up a Popcorn Bar for Movie Night
Add some luxury to movie night by creating a popcorn bar. Set out a big bowl of popcorn and some candy toppings, scoops, and bowls. Let your kids create their popcorn masterpiece, then screen a movie the whole family can enjoy.
Tip: Dress up for the movie screening to make it feel like you’re at a movie premiere or other red carpet event.
No matter where you are in life, there’s a staycation plan that will fit your needs and budget. Find something that works for the whole family and have fun with the planning process! After all, vacations are meant to be relaxing and invigorating.
This post originally appeared on Bestow. For more help planning for special moments in your life, contact Bestow for a free life insurance quote.
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