Staycation Ideas » Outdoor Staycation Ideas

Host a Croquet Tournament

Paul — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 12:40:26 +0000

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

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

Visit a Pick-Your-Own Farm

Paul — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:37:52 +0000

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

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3 free weekends at National Parks

Paul — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 02:24:11 +0000

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.

Is your state bicycle friendly?

Paul — Wed, 27 May 2009 13:22:36 +0000

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

Go on a bike ride

Green Staycation Ideas

Paul — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:21:26 +0000

Happy Earth Day!

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

Start a garden – Besides saving on your grocery bill, this is a great way to help reduce pollution.
Build Habitat – Make houses for birds
Walk or Bike – Find a bike trail or park and explore your town.
Take Transit – Use public transportation to local family friendly staycation destinations
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.
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.
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

Side Benefit of a Staycation

Paul — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 13:51:46 +0000

Well here is a very interesting side benefit to taking a staycation…not being bitten by sharks.

USAtoday is reporting that researchers are reporting fewer shark bites as a result of fewer people traveling to beaches. Shark attacks are now at their lowest level within the past 5 years. Reported shark attacks fell from 71 in 2007 to only 59 in 2008. George Burgress, of the University of Florida, said, “With the price of gas high, fewer people went to the beach.”

So there you go. Another added safety benefit of taking a staycation this year!

You can read the orignal article from USAtoday here:

Shark attacks drop; recession blamed – Science Fair – USATODAY.com

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Go on a bike ride

Paul — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 04:35:48 +0000

I had a really enjoyable evening tonight. My wife and the kids and I went on a nice bikeride around our neighborhood. We started out not really with any destination in mind but ended up at a nearby park to let the kids play for a while. As I was bicycling around and enjoying the beautiful summer evening a thought occurred to me, “now this is a great staycation idea!”. One thing that kind of put a damper on the evening though was the fact the we realized our daughter is over the 40 pound weight limitation of the bike carrier. Looks like we might have to invest in a good bike trailer. Any ideas?

Cheap Camping Ideas

Cincinnati Staycation Ideas

Paul — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:39:40 +0000

Are you looking for some ideas for things you can do in the greater Cincinnati, Ohio and northern Kentucky on your summer staycation. Here is small list I put together. I have to give credit to the CincyMoms.com forum for some of these ideas:

Visit the Cincinnati Zoo (voted #1 family attraction in Cincinnati)
Newport Aquarium
Stay a night at the Great Wolf Lodge in Mason (indoor waterpark)
How can you forget, King’s Island ?
Drive to the Kentucky Horse Park
Mammoth Caves
Six Flag’s Kentucky Kingdom
Columbus’s COSI isn’t too far away.
Hocking Hills makes a nice weekend getaway
Hueston Woods State Park is a great staycation destination
The Beach Water Park is a great way to cool off on your hot staycation
Have you been to CoCo Key in Cincinnati yet?
We love visiting the Cincinnati Museum Center
Coney Island is home to Sunlite Pool – the world’s largest recirculating swimming pool!

Do you have some other ideas? Be sure to submit your staycation idea or you can comment on this post to let me know of other great staycation ideas for Cincinnati.

Enjoy a county fair

Paul — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:11:00 +0000

There have been a few terms tossed around this summer regarding the idea of enjoying your summer at home. We have heard the terms:

Staycation – enjoying a vacation in your local community
Fitcation – enjoying some time off while focusing on your fitness
Daycation – taking day trips usually on one tank of gas or less

But now the Austin Daily Herald and the Mower County Fair Board has introduced a new term “Fair-cation”. Which, you guessed it, means going on a vacation at the county fair.

The Mower County Fair Board created this word to help promote the 124th annual Mower County Fair which is taking place in Austin, Texas between August 5-10th. If you want to learn more about this fair, you should really read the rest of the Austin Daily Herald’s article.

Some interesting fun facts about fairs:

The New York State Fair is the longest running state fair in the country started in 1841
Mercer County, Kentucky claims it is the longest continuous running country fair in the country
King County, Washington is the longest running county fair west of the Mississippi

As I was doing research for this article I found a great article at Kids Party Fun.com which had an wonderful staycation idea for kids. Set up your own country fair in the yard or nearby park! Kid’s Party Fun: Country Fair

Enjoy your county fair.

Cheap Camping Ideas

Paul — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 02:31:40 +0000

Do know what I love about the internet? Finding a good blog is only one click away. I found a good one tonight and wanted to share it with you. Check out, GettingOutside.com They have lots of great ideas for enjoying the great outdoors. They have a great forum thread entitled, “Some Ideas for Camping on the Cheap.” Here are some of their suggestions:

Plan Ahead
Use “Survivorman” Tactics (live off the land)
Hike and Bike
Carpool with friends
Bring the Right Tools
Conserve Firewood
Enroll in a course at a local state park.
Eat Like a Pioneer

They have some other idea as well. You should really read the rest of the article for yourself. After that you should unplug your computer and get outside!

Enjoy your staycation.