Happy holidays - perfecting the ‘staycation’

We’ve all been there. The kids are whining about being ‘stuck at home’ for the holidays.

“But ALL my friends are going away…” or “Why do we have to stay home? Why can’t we go away and do something cool” are all too familiar complaints in many households across the country each and every time school holidays roll around.

Tourism Australia is urging Aussies to stay local and take an Aussie holiday instead, so, why not?

Being at the beach or going camping is great… But when the school holidays last anywhere from 2 weeks to 10, there’s only so much beach and bush time a kid can take. So what else do you do?

It’s hard to be creative about what to do when you’re home on ‘staycation’. Have you ever thought, maybe I should just ask the kids?

No, don’t just ask them what do you want to do today/tomorrow/next week – you’ll get the usual response ‘go to the movies’ or ‘see my friends’.

If you frame the question around what they might like to experience during the holidays, you’re much more likely to gain a more useful response.

The best ideas for things to do actually come from the kids themselves, when they’re armed with knowledge and feel empowered.

So here are some tips for holidaying at home:

1. Remember where you came from

How did your hometown or city come to be? What makes the place you live great is often it’s history and foundation. Take the time to rediscover your roots. Your local Information Centre has a ton of free maps and information on tours and activities to be done.

Don’t be afraid to play tourist for the day.

2. Animals are always cool

Whether it’s what they look like, the sound they make or the strange position they just happen to be lying in, animals are endlessly fascinating to kids. Visit the local zoo or take inspiration from your family pet and get out into the great outdoors with them in tow.

Check out a walking track you’ve never done before or take a picnic to a park you don’t regularly visit and see some of the local wildlife.

3. Make education fun

Museums and galleries often sound hugely boring to kids. But if you visit the websites of the ones in your area you can always find out about special displays or events happening over the holidays that may actually get your kids interested.

Don’t say you’re going to the ‘museum’ – get them excited about what they’ll actually see and do rather than the name of the place you’re going.

4. Go on a scavenger hunt

Scavenger hunts are a fantastic way to engage kids in exploring your hometown. Give them a challenge or a bit of fun competition and kids go crazy! There are a number of great apps to help you build your own or if that all seems a bit too hard, how about you create a simple treasure hunt for your kids at a known destination?

5. Burn some energy

It’s a burning issue in our medical community and one that the media consistently wants to remind us of – Australian’s are among the fattest people in the world. Our sedentary lifestyle doesn’t seem to be helping our cause, so how about getting the kids involved in a more energetic activity?

It doesn’t have to be the usual throwing a ball in the park. Why not get them to try their hand at something more adventurous and exciting?

There are plenty of holiday events like acrobatics and circus school, indoor rock climbing or horse riding for your kids to try. Think outside the box and get them moving.

The most important thing is to make sure your kids are having fun. Take the time to get into their headspace and you’re bound to have much happier holidays.

What exciting things are you getting up to these holidays? Please SHARE in the comments below.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock.com

31 Comments

- - mom113055 said
  - 11 Sep 2015
    3:47 pm
staycation

- - mom150983 said
  - 08 Sep 2015
    11:53 am
Great article thank you for sharing

- - dannsbuild said
  - 07 Sep 2015
    10:22 pm
I really like going away! It is great!

- - mom152736 said
  - 31 Aug 2015
    6:05 pm
make education fun…thats the motto for me

- - mom113055 said
  - 12 Aug 2015
    7:38 pm
happy holidays

- - mom150983 said
  - 10 Aug 2015
    12:02 pm
go on a random road trip taking turns when someone decides eg. next left, turn at next tree

- - mom67623 said
  - 07 Aug 2015
    6:36 am
when kids were little my sister in law and I would take a gang of five and go with the dogs to beach walk in Wollongong (still as beautiful as ever) we would go early , kids whining as too early too tired etc true.. We would have our walk then back to set up BBQ area with beach close by. Then have breakfast we cooked, kids would not want to leave!! need I say more, great way to start the day. Not a lot of people, so felt we had our own private bay
- mom94125 replied
  
  18 Oct 2015 , 5:22 pm
  lol they don’t want to go then they don’t want to leave
- - mom94125 said
  - 03 Aug 2015
    10:03 pm
what a great word! why not even just camp out in the backyard or garage? Everyone have a sleepover in the loungeroom! Mum, dad and kids!

- - mom94378 said
  - 02 Aug 2015
    4:26 pm
A bunch of good ideas here, love word “staycation” too!

- - mom113055 said
  - 28 Jul 2015
    11:24 pm
thats a little cutie

- - mom93821 said
  - 14 Jul 2015
    8:54 am
I love a staycation – relaxed and enjoyable and you get to discover and rediscover this wonderful and beautiful country.
- Bound Round replied
  
  14 Jul 2015 , 10:32 am
  Thanks for reading our article – glad you agree! A staycation lets you re-discover the best bits of your local area and surrounds. There is so much to love about Australia, and there’s endless opportunities for things to discover. If there is anywhere you think other families should know about and visit, please share them with us http://www.boundround.com!
  - mom93821 replied
    
    09 Aug 2015 , 7:17 pm
    
    Will do as I do love this beautiful country!
- - Missey Grace said
  - 13 Jul 2015
    6:28 pm
Ooh, I remember my family spent hours in the museums and galleries and learned tons of stuff.
- Bound Round replied
  
  14 Jul 2015 , 10:30 am
  When you can’t travel too far into the world, why not have the world come to you, right?! The local galleries and museums are a fantastic place for kids to explore and learn. We’re glad you liked our article and it brought back fond memories for you!
- - cherz said
  - 13 Jul 2015
    4:23 pm
libraries have wonderful things for children to do through out the school holidays and also shopping centres have different activities as well. thanx for the wonderful article and tips and ideas.
- Bound Round replied
  
  14 Jul 2015 , 10:28 am
  You’re absolutely right, local libraries have a ton of great activities and events on during the holidays as well. Thanks for sharing that idea! We’re pleased you liked our article and we were able to give you some inspiration. If you have anywhere in your local area that you think other families should know about, please share them with us http://www.boundround.com!
- - mom63229 said
  - 13 Jul 2015
    3:54 pm
We have a funding problem this school holidays.. there was no money to do all the things we like to do.
So my sister and I got together and we planned a full day of movies, video games, board games and junk food. It’s a luxury in my house. The kids aged from 10 down to 2, LOVED it. And best of all, it cost less than $50 to keep all the kids happy for an entire day. I know there are cheaper options such as play grounds, etc. But it’s cold, wet and windy, so it needed to be an indoor thing.
- Bound Round replied
  
  14 Jul 2015 , 10:25 am
  What a fantastic idea for a wet and windy day during the holidays! Sounds like you were able to get super creative, keep the costs down and give the kids an exciting and fun day!
- - mom113055 said
  - 12 Jul 2015
    2:49 pm
very nice

- - mom74640 said
  - 12 Jul 2015
    10:41 am
Lke it
- Bound Round replied
  
  14 Jul 2015 , 10:24 am
  Thanks for reading, we’re glad you liked it! Hope you got some ideas for next holidays!
- - curlytops said
  - 11 Jul 2015
    9:33 pm
some nice holiday ideas here.
- Bound Round replied
  
  14 Jul 2015 , 10:22 am
  Thanks for reading our article, we’re glad we were able to give you some inspiration! If you have any places closer to home that you think other families should know about, please let us know http://www.boundround.com!
- - mom113055 said
  - 11 Jul 2015
    4:04 pm
it s nice to read
- Bound Round replied
  
  14 Jul 2015 , 10:19 am
  Thanks for reading our article, we’re glad you liked it and hope it gave you some inspiration!
- - mum4107 said
  - 11 Jul 2015
    3:16 pm
Local holidays are great and also day trips
- Bound Round replied
  
  14 Jul 2015 , 10:15 am
  A change is as good as a holiday! Mixing up the places you go and venturing to new places in your home town is often equally as exciting for the kids. If you have any great places closer to home that you think other families would benefit from learning about please let us know http://www.boundround.com!
- - mom94125 said
  - 11 Jul 2015
    1:11 pm
having local holidays are less stressful
- Bound Round replied
  
  14 Jul 2015 , 10:13 am
  Less stressful absolutely, which can often make them more enjoyable! Thanks for taking the time to read our piece! We’re always looking for places to add to our travel site (both home and away) so if you have any great places closer to home that you think other families would benefit from learning about please let us know http://www.boundround.com!