Staycation Ideas for Families: Weekend and Week-Long Plans
A staycation feels like a trip when you plan it like one. Here are weekend and week-long plans with daily themes, outings near home and budget tiers.
A staycation feels like a real vacation when you plan it like a trip: block the dates, set a budget, give each day a theme and pause the usual chores. Choose one outing per day, one treat at home and one rule that keeps work and housework out of it. The plans below cover a weekend and a full week, with ideas at every budget.
Five rules that make it feel like vacation
- Set dates and tell people. Mark the calendar, set an out-of-office message and let friends know you are away.
- Set a budget first. Decide on a total, then divide it by the number of days. The budget tiers below can help.
- Pause household projects. No deep cleaning, repairs or catching up on email. A short daily tidy-up is enough.
- Give each day a theme. A theme makes it feel planned and helps the kids look forward to it.
- Let kids help plan. Give each child a day to choose the outing or the dinner.
Sample weekend itinerary
| When | Plan |
|---|---|
| Friday evening | Pizza picnic on the living room floor, then a family movie. See our family movie night ideas. |
| Saturday morning | Pancake breakfast, then a local outing such as a nature trail, a children’s museum or a farm |
| Saturday afternoon | Quiet time, then a game tournament or a backyard activity |
| Saturday evening | Takeout from a restaurant you have never tried, or a make-your-own taco bar |
| Sunday morning | Slow breakfast, then a walk or bike ride to a new neighborhood |
| Sunday afternoon | Craft project or science experiment, then a scrapbook of the weekend photos |
Sample week-long plan with daily themes
| Day | Theme | Outing | At home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Water day | Local pool or splash pad, or ice skating in colder months | Bubble bath spa for the kids |
| Tuesday | Museum day | Children’s museum, science center or art museum | Draw what you saw |
| Wednesday | Nature day | State or local park, a nature trail or a bird walk | Leaf rubbings or a scavenger hunt |
| Thursday | Campout day | Picnic at a park | Living room or backyard campout with a flashlight game |
| Friday | Around-the-world day | Lunch at a restaurant from a country you choose | Cook one dish from that country together |
| Saturday | Game and movie day | Bowling alley or arcade, if it fits the budget | Family game tournament and movie |
| Sunday | Kids’ choice | Whatever the kids vote for | Photo review and a thank-you drawing for the week |
Ideas by budget
Free
- Library visit and story time
- Park, playground or nature trail
- Backyard campout or living room fort
- Neighborhood scavenger hunt
- Free museum days and community events. Our list of free things to do with kids can help you find them.
Low cost (a small budget for the day)
- Bowling, mini golf or a skating rink
- A trip to a local farm, orchard or pumpkin patch in season
- Pizza and a game night at home
- A movie matinee or a themed movie night at home
- Reduced-price museum admission. Under the Museums for All program, participating museums charge from free up to $5 for visitors with an EBT card. Participation and prices vary by museum, so check before you go.
Splurge (plan and save for it)
- A children’s museum membership, a zoo or aquarium visit
- A hotel night in your own city with a pool
- A guided tour or a show
- A special dinner out
Use the tiers as planning targets rather than price quotes, since costs vary a lot by city. Check each venue’s website for current prices and hours before you go.
Find outings near you
- National and state parks. Some national park sites sit close to cities, and some do not charge an entrance fee. Use the National Park Service’s Find a Park tool to see what is near you, and check each park’s page for fees and hours.
- Your library. Many libraries share passes, run family programs and list community events.
- City or county event calendars. Check tree lightings, parades and free concerts.
- Parent groups. Local parent groups often share new openings and discounts.
Tips to keep it from falling flat
- Skip the chores. Everyone, including parents, takes a break from laundry and email.
- Keep outings short. One outing a day leaves time for rest.
- Pack snacks and water. That alone can save the budget.
- Have a rainy-day backup. Keep a short list of indoor options.
- Start and end the staycation with a ritual. A special breakfast or a family photo marks the start, and a short look back at the end rounds it off.
- Match the weather. In cold months, swap water day for an indoor pool, a rink or a baking day, and dress for the weather.
If you want to go a little further
When you have the budget for a night away, a day trip or a short drive can extend the plan. Our ideas for cheap family vacations include low-cost trip types for when you are ready to travel. For more things to do at home between outings, try our list of backyard games for kids.
Bottom line
Choose your dates, set a budget and give each day a theme. Use free and low-cost outings, pause the chores and let each child plan one day. A staycation saves travel costs and still gives your family time together.
FAQ
How much should a family staycation cost?
It depends on your goals. Many families set a daily target in the free-to-low range and add one splurge. Decide on your total before you start and track spending.
How long should a staycation be?
A long weekend is easy to protect. A full week gives more variety but needs more planning, and it works best when both parents have the time off.
How do I keep kids from asking for screens all day?
Plan a morning outing and an afternoon activity, and agree on screen time before the staycation starts. Having a daily theme makes the plan feel fun, not like a rule.
What if the weather is bad?
Move outdoor themes indoors. Campouts, museum days and movie days all work inside. Keep a backup plan in your phone.
