9 Summer Staycation Ideas For The Whole Family

Traveling has made a big comeback this year! While my feeling is travel – especially air travel – won’t be the same for a long time, if ever, maybe that’s not a bad thing. Perhaps it’s a blessing and opportunity for us to spend more time exploring our own backyards, so to speak. I know for sure that in my youth I had the fortune of travelling a lot. It was my passion and I was working on building a business around it (a women’s travel-zine turned website intended to be a hub for women travellers to connect and find resources – but alas, a story for another day). But in all of this exploring, I feel that I have seen very little of my own province, and now with a little one in tow, there is so much of my city I want to experience again. And so I’ve been drawing upon my creative staycation ideas!

If you’re staying close to home this summer, beyond having a dance party, cooking up something new and exciting, and tending your garden, I hope some of these staycation ideas help you pass the time with a little more fun and enjoyment.

9 summer staycation ideas

Berry Picking / Pick Your Own

There are loads of farms offering experiences for families. Whether it be berry picking, visiting farm animals, or helping out on the farm, explore the options in your area for a fun day in nature, with sweet treats to reward your efforts.

Home Spa Day

I am a huge fan of natural beauty care and there are many ways that you can make an at-home spa day special for you or your family. Depending on what kind of supplies you have at home, your at-home spa day could include:

making a facial scrub, lip scrub or a natural face mask
skin brushing
applying natural nail polish or makeup
making a foot scrub and soaking your feet
drinking infused water
enjoying essential oils in a diffuser
spending time in an infrared sauna

Outdoor Drinks or BBQs

If you have an outdoor space, like a patio or a backyard, take advantage and host something! Enjoy mocktails, BBQ classics like burgers and ketchup, iced tea, or anything else you and your friends and family would love. If you don’t have a backyard or patio, then visit a neighbourhood park (ensure you follow the regulations for the park you’re in).

Do or Learn Something Creative (Or Share Your Skills With Others)

Tap into the creative side of your brain by getting out some art supplies, starting a journal, taking a writing class, making jewelry, or whatever other creative endeavour you’d love to pursue. Even better, if it can be brought outside, invite friends over for a craft party and take turns hosting. It could become a really nourishing skill share event to look forward to.

Have a Concert, Comedy, or Movie Night

There are many wonderful concerts, stand-up shows, and obviously movies on streaming services like Netflix, Prime, and others. Have a weekly movie night – I highly recommend that you include popcorn with this amazing popcorn topping. If you have creatives in your house, try having a live talent show where family members can celebrate and show off their skills.

Neighbourhood Adventures

It’s so easy to get stuck in our own neighbourhoods and most cities offer amazing surprises, delights, and interactions as soon as you venture off your usual path. There are loads of small businesses in operation and great restaurants you don’t even know exist – and small businesses really need help right now. Be a tourist in your own city and pick a neighbourhood to explore top to tail without a specific destination or goal.

Go For a Walk in Nature

Aside from the exercise, walking in nature (also called forest bathing) has many positive effects on our immunity, mood, nervous system, and cardiovascular health. Increase the fun by making an outdoor scavenger hunt (or find one that’s already been done online) where you have to find flowers, animals, statues, or other special things. If you’re walking in the city, there are many city mural walks or alleyway art shows that you can enjoy.

Enjoy a Picnic

Enjoy the sunshine and fresh air by packing a picnic, whether you decide to have it in your own backyard or visit an outdoor park. I like to keep my picnics zero waste so I don’t leave any garbage behind. Find a bikeable location and make getting there a part of the fun.

City-Wide Scavenger Hunt (Or Keep It To Your Local Park or Backyard)

We’ve been doing this with our son by creating a game sheet with things to find based on where we’re going. It keeps him looking around and engaged, we get a long walk in the mix. You could also organize this with larger groups of friends or other families and have connected adventures for the whole day through. Here are some scavenger hunt ideas for adults, and this post has a fun little nature-based scavenger hunt for younger kids.

So these are my best summer staycation ideas. I am sure I am missing loads. Please post a comment below and let me know what I missed! Happy to keep this list growing to keep us all enjoying new experiences all summer long.