Staycation Ideas

Archive for the ‘Fall Staycation Ideas’ Category

Be a science geek for a day and visit a nearby, accredited Science Center. These learning centers often feature touring exhibits on subjects like dinosaurs and robotics. In addition to featured exhibits are displays on everything from biology to mechanics to space. Many are often connected with planetariums. So take a day to learn about your earth, its inhabitants, and the universe around it.

How to Make it Happen

Visit www.astc.org/sciencecenters/find_scicenter.htm for a list of accredited science centers. Pick one near you and visit its website for hours of operation, special exhibits and admission prices. Many science centers feature planetariums and IMAX theaters, which will likely cost extra, but are worth the price. If you live nearby, consider buying an annual membership for yearlong admission and other perks.

Additional Activities

1. Buy a chemistry kit or science set for your kids and do experiments with them.
2. View stars in your night sky.

For some people, the only good thing about winter coming is the turning of the leaves. While you may not be ready for snow and cold, it’s hard not to appreciate the color show nature puts on right before winter. If you live in a state with four distinct seasons, now’s the time to get out and enjoy the reds, pinks, oranges, yellows and browns that are autumn.

How to Make it Happen

Mother Nature does all the work. All you have to do is go for a walk or a drive. If you go by car, pick the curviest road in your county and don’t rush. Let cars pass you by. Just enjoy the scenery.

Additional Activities

1. Create a leaf collection from leaves you found on your walk. Learn what type of trees they come from.
2. Fall is the perfect time to plant a tree. Plant one in your yard, or donate one to a city park.

One of the great sights in nature is to see a flock of geese flying south for the winter. Seeing the geese, the ducks, the herons and others is a bittersweet good-bye ritual. We don’t want to see them go, but we love seeing them fly. Their departure means cold weather is coming, but we know also, that they will return in the spring.

How to Make it Happen

Migratory birds are in decline worldwide and several organizations are devoted to studying why. You can help them.

Visit www.charityguide.org/volunteer/vacation/bird-migration.htm for ideas on how you can help track the migratory patterns of birds in your area. (You can even sign-up for vacation packages that are devoted to this activity).

You can also call your state’s Department of Natural Resources for the best times and observatories to view migrating flocks in your state. Take binoculars, take a camera, or just take yourself and enjoy the site.

Additional Activities

1. Return in the spring to watch birds migrate north.
2. Learn some birdcalls and try them out on a nature hike.
3. Go bird watching in your backyard.

The leaves turn, the air grows cooler, the days grow shorter…it all means one thing. Football’s coming. High school, college, pro…if you love the game, ya gotta have it. And what’s not to love…the cheerleaders, the colors, the band, the mascots, and, oh yeah, the game. You’ve got a whole season of this stuff. And the ending is Super!

How to Make it Happen

Of these three choices, obviously attending a professional game will be the most expensive. To find schedules and ticket prices for your favorite team, visit www.nfl.com. From there you can link to the website of your favorite team.

College tickets can be purchased through school athletic offices, but some colleges sell out season tickets so these might be difficult to obtain. High school games will be easier, plus they’re much closer and if you know the kids playing it’s a much more personal experience. But do expect to pay admission.

Maybe you just can’t get to a game. No problem. Host your own tailgate party in your driveway or backyard. Watch the Big Game from your house and play touch football during halftime.

Additional Activities

1. Volunteer to help coach a youth football team.
2. Join a fantasy football team.
3. Enter a contest to win Super Bowl tickets. Somebody’s gotta win.

Get your Halloween pumpkins, go on a hayride, and even pet a goat. Consumer pumpkin patches are a booming business and offer a variety of fun family activities including corn mazes, tire swings, hay bale mountains, and, of course, acres and acres of pumpkins to assure you get the perfect one.

How to Make it Happen

Locate a pumpkin patch near you by doing an online search. Visit its website for hours, admission price and location, or call the operators for details. Be aware that some businesses charge one admission price while others charge fees for different activities.

Additional Activities

1. Carve your Halloween pumpkin. Go traditional with the triangle eyes and crooked teeth, or buy a book with artistic designs and trace and carve.
2. Make a pumpkin pie. Canned pumpkin works fine, but if you’re really ambition, make from fresh pumpkins.
3. Make a fall arrangement using dried flowers, cattails, gourds, pine cones and other seasonal items.