Staycation Ideas

The Boys of Summer are…well…not back, but on their way. In the months of February and March they’re in Spring Training, which makes going to watch them a perfect Spring Break weekend get-away. Visit your favorite Major League Baseball team as they hone their skills for the upcoming season. If you want to meet and greet your favorite players, collect autographs, and commune with fellow fans, a Spring Training break is the perfect plan.

How to Make it Happen

Location. Location. Location. That’s the key to pulling off this Staycation without spending a lot of money. But if you live near one of the hosting southern states, it can be done. Admission is charged for Spring Break scrimmages, but it is still considerably cheaper than regular season games. If you are staying overnight, be sure to plan ahead as hotels will fill up. Budget in money for food, although if you are road tripping from a nearby state, save money by packing a cooler with sandwiches and drinks for the car ride.

For a complete list of where and when your favorite team will be practicing and playing, consult the Major League Baseball website, MLB.com, or visit individual team websites (you can link to these from the MLB site). Arizona and Florida are the hosts for all Spring Training sessions. If you do live up North—or just too far away to drive––you still might want to splurge a little for the chance to see your favorite players up close. Look for organized air/hotel packages arranged by team travel agencies that often provide discounted, group deals. But start looking in early winter––you will need to plan ahead for this.

If a trip to Spring Training is just out of the question, try to attend a Fan Appreciation Day hosted prior to Opening Day. Teams will list these events on their websites.

Follow-up Activities

• Attend an actual baseball game—MLB, minor leagues or even college.
• Join a company or neighborhood softball team.
• Play catch with the kids in the backyard and maybe help them start a baseball card collection.
• Host a baseball movie night. Some suggestions include: Bull Durham, Eight Men Out, The Natural, Major League and Field of Dreams.

You don’t have to be Michelle Kwan to enjoy a little time on the ice. No triple-loops are necessary. If you love skating, haven’t done it since you were a kid, or never learned—now’s the time to get out on the ice.  And don’t forget the hot chocolate when you’re done.

How to Make it Happen

Do an online search or call your local Chamber of Commerce for locations of public ice rinks in your community. They can provide information including admission prices and hours. Check to make sure they rent ice skates if you need them. Most facilities will.

Some ponds and lakes at municipal parks allow ice-skating if ice conditions are right. Call your city parks department to find out about availability.

Additional Activities

1. Join a hockey or broomball league.
2. If you’re new to skating, sign up for lessons.

You don’t need an audience to put on a play—perhaps its even better that way. Just have fun with absolutely no inhibitions or stage fright. Most of us have [...] Continue Reading…

Let’s face it. We can’t predict the weather. So planning a sledding party is hard to do but with all the snow that has fallen just about everywhere, now [...] Continue Reading…

Here are the statistics: Children from families that regularly dine together are more likely to stay out of trouble in their teen years. And, kids that participate in preparing [...] Continue Reading…

Here’s a winter staycation idea you can do with your kids.  If you haven’t been to an art museum since your grade school field trip, you owe it to [...] Continue Reading…

Crayons from Crestock Stock Photography

I might be the only Dad on the block who requested Crayons as my gift for myself this Christmas.  I love coloring with my kids…maybe [...] Continue Reading…

You know they’re up there. In the closet. Just sitting on a shelf. Well, it’s time to take all those board games off the shelf. Yes—it’s Family Game Night. [...] Continue Reading…

Tired of fighting with your kids to keep them off the video games? Well, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. At least for a night. Game systems like [...] Continue Reading…

To find your way in the world, all you need is a compass and a map. Those are also the two things you need for the fast-growing sport of [...] Continue Reading…