Staycation Ideas

Archive for the ‘Outdoor Staycation Ideas’ Category

Croquet is one of those great backyard games that no one is completely sure how to play. But trust me, it’s worth learning. All you need is a croquet set, a copy of the rules, and a group of willing players. Spend an hour learning the rules, and you’ll spend the rest of the summer challenging family and friends to a game of croquet.

How to Make it Happen

If you don’t already have one, inexpensive croquet sets—and other backyard games—are available through sporting good stores or discount store chains. Look for these in the spring, or discounted by mid-summer.

Croquet is best played on short grass. Basically, it involves knocking your ball with a mallet and trying to hit the ball through a series of wickets that are set in a figure-eight pattern. For a list of croquet rules, visit www.croquet.com.

If croquet isn’t your style, try other great backyard games, such as badminton, bocci ball or horseshoes. Always remember—safety first! Some games might not be safe if small children are around.

Additional Activities

1. Combine a backyard game tournament with a neighborhood barbecue.
2. Enter a horseshoe contest at a state or county fair.
3. Croquet Australia has a great set-up for kids: http://www.croquet-australia.com.au/Kids/

Fresh Strawberries

Fresh strawberries were a staple on my grandmother’s summer table. She picked them from her own garden and to this day I’ve tasted nothing better in the world. With so many meals coming out of cans and boxes, lifestyles today don’t always encourage eating fresh, and few of us still tend our own gardens. But Grandma’s garden is making a comeback—with a twist. Pick-Your-Own farms are increasingly popular and allow you to pick as much fresh fruit or produce as you want, usually paying by the pound. These farms allow you to reconnect with the food chain, as well as providing fresh, healthier produce without the commitment of tending your own garden. Cherries, berries and grapes are all popular pick-your-own farm staples.

How to Make it Happen

Finding a Pick-Your-Own farm is the trick. Look for ads or information in community parent magazines, web searches, or simply call your local Chamber of Commerce for leads. These farms survive on consumer use so they do advertise. Word of mouth recommendations and roadside signs are also good ways to find a popular farm destination.

Once you’ve found a nearby farm, plan your day and go. It is important to come prepared for sun and insects. Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, bug repellent and gloves. Remember, berries stain! So don’t wear clothes you don’t mind getting messy. You can take your own sacks but most farms should provide baskets. You are usually charged by the pound and pay when you leave.

Additional Activities

• Learn how to make jelly with your fresh picked berries.
• Visit a local Farmers Market to support local growers and to supplement your fresh produce intake.
• Like eating fresh from the farm? Start your own small garden and commit to growing a few of your favorite summer foods.

Did you like this staycation idea?  It came directly from my book “101 Great Staycations” You can learn more about my staycation book here

Here is a great staycation idea, find a National park in your area and stay for a weekend. And now, thanks to the National Park Service, this great staycation idea is also FREE.

In an effort to encourage summer vacations at at national parks, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced yesterday (Tuesday) that entrance fees at 147 national parks and monuments – including the Grand Canyon and Yosemite – will be waived on 3 weekends this summer.  There are 391 national parks located across the country in 49 states.

“During these tough economic times, our national parks provide opportunities for affordable vacations for families, I encourage everyone to visit one of our nation’s crown jewels this summer and especially to take advantage of the three free-admission weekends.”

The weekends are June 20-21, July 18-19 and August 15-16.

If you’re looking for a National Park in your area. The U.S. National Park service has this really neat feature on their website called “Find a Park” You can search for a park by name, location, activity or topic.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your camping gear, call some friends and make plans to stay during one of these free weekends at a National Park.

And if you’re looking for some camping gear, StaycationIdea.com has teamed up with CampingWorld.com who is offering some wonderful limited time coupons on camps, tents, sleeping bags and the other gear you’ll need to enjoy your free weekend at a National Park.

The League of American Bicyclists is releasing the second annual ranking of Bicycle Friendly States, scoring the 50 states on a 75-item questionnaire that evaluates a state’s commitment to bicycling and covers six key areas: legislation, policies and programs, infrastructure, education and encouragement, evaluation and planning, and enforcement. League President Andy Clarke highlighted that “several states dramatically improved their ranking by updating their traffic codes, increasing the level of funding for bicycle improvements, implementing education programs aimed at cyclists and motorists, getting organized and hosting their first statewide bicycling conferences and events.” For 2009, the top five highest scoring states ranked one through five are: Washington, 1; Wisconsin, 2; Maine, 3; Oregon, 4; and Minnesota, 5. The lowest scoring states ranked 46 through 50 are: New Mexico, 46; Alaska, 47; Oklahoma, 48; Montana, 49; and Alabama, 50.

Here is the complete list as found on: http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bicyclefriendlyamerica/bicyclefriendlystate/rankings.php

1. Washington
2. Wisconsin 
3. Maine  
4. Oregon  
5. Minnesota
6. Iowa  
7. Arizona
8. New Hampshire
9. Delaware  
10. New Jersey  
11. Wyoming  
12. Illinois  
13. Colorado  
14. California  
15. Michigan  
16. Maryland  
17. Missouri  
18. Utah  
19. Massachusetts
20. North Carolina
21. Vermont  
22. Hawaii  
23. Virginia  
24. Mississippi  
25. Nevada  
26. South Carolina
27. Kentucky  
28. South Dakota  
29. Indiana  
30. Louisiana  
31. Georgia  
32. Florida  
33. Kansas  
34. Idaho  
35. Rhode Island  
36. Texas  
37. Nebraska  
38. Arkansas  
39. Ohio  
40. Pennsylvania  
41. New York  
42. West Virginia  
43. Tennessee  
44. Connecticut  
45. North Dakota  
46. New Mexico  
47. Alaska  
48. Oklahoma  
49. Montana  
50. Alabama

The League of American Bicyclists promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America. The League represents the interests of America’s 57 million bicyclists, including its 300,000 members and affiliates. For more information or to support the League, visit www.bikeleague.org.

League of American Bicyclists * Bicycle Friendly States

Happy Earth Day!

In celebration of Earth Day and school vacation week in Reading, Massachusetts, Wickedlocal.com has provided some “green” staycation ideas. 

1. Start a garden – Besides saving on your grocery bill, this is a great way to help reduce pollution.
2. Build Habitat – Make houses for birds
3. Walk or Bike – Find a bike trail or park and explore your town.
4. Take Transit – Use public transportation to local family friendly staycation destinations
5. Try a recycled craft – Use items that you would normally discard and turn them into unique creations.  Recycle old clothes into quilts or make your own new craft paper by tossing your old paper into a blender.
6. Energy scavenger hunt.  Use a kill-a-watt meter to test your appliances and electronics.  Encourage your kids to participate and help identify which items can be unplugged when not in use.
7. Explore your town – be a tourist in your home town.  Go spend time at the top tourist destinations for your local area.  Greenhouses, park and playgrounds are great options for enjoying the spring weather.

I’d encourage your to read Wickedlocal.com other thoughts on enjoying a green staycation.  You can do so here:

Green thoughts on vacation week – The Reading Advocate