Let the kids set up camp outside for endless hours of fun. Image: Adobe Stock
Home for the holidays: How to have the best summer staycation
With many people still nervous to travel, even under lockdown level one, here’s how you can make the most of staying home.
Let the kids set up camp outside for endless hours of fun. Image: Adobe Stock
We’ve put together the ultimate guide to planning a holiday at home this summer. Keeping kids stimulated and entertained is no easy feat, which is why these ideas are suitable for the whole family.
Ideas for making the most of a staycation are endless and you’ll save yourself a whack of cash. If you’ve decided to avoid all non-essential travel, here’s how you can make the most of the time at home.
Staycation activity: ‘Come Dine With Me’
Who doesn’t like a night off from cooking? Host your very own version of the BBC hit show Come Dine With Me. Each person in the house can take a turn to cook.
Take inspiration from specific cuisines or have an “around the world” themed evening to make it more exciting. You can rate each other to decide who the ultimate winner is.
Staycation activity: Garden picnic
Make use of your backyard and lawn by taking a blanket and basket of treats outside and having a picnic. Whether it’s a charcuterie board, salads or some festive treats, just add a blanket and pillows to the mix and you have yourself the ultimate home picnic.
Don’t have a swimming pool? The good old hosepipe and sprinklers will work just fine for your kids too, if you are not living in an area with water restrictions.
Staycation activity: Pure pampering
While you can’t control what is happening all around you during the coronavirus pandemic, you can control how you’re looking after your body.
Take a candle-lit bath, play some soothing music and put on a face mask. Include your kids and let them paint your nails or give you a massage. Pampering yourself does not need to be expensive — it’s the ultimate way to unwind while reading a good book and with a glass of wine in hand.
Staycation activity: Go camping in your garden
Have a dusty old tent in the garage? Put it up with the help of the kids and create a cozy campsite on your own property. Make it magical — add some lights or take in the view of the starry skies.
And don’t forget the food! Have a braai evening or make hotdogs and sandwiches. And what is an evening outside without s’mores?
Staycation activity: Set up a scavenger hunt
We know that this is more Easter appropriate, but an indoor scavenger hunt could prove very entertaining for your children. Some ideas include a colour-coded scavenger hunt, clue scavenger hunt (think Amazing Race) or a make-and-do scavenger hunt where the kids look for the art supplies and then create something specific like a mobile or kite.
Make it worthwhile — give them a prize worth playing for!
Staycation activity: A night at the cinema
Lights, camera, action! All you need is some popcorn, snacks and a Christmas-themed movie and you’re well on your way to creating an at-home cinema effect.
Have an old projector and screen lying around? Move the evening from the couch to the car and create a home-style drive-in in your garden with the support of Bluetooth speakers or connection to your car radio.
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