How to Plan a Budget-Friendly Summer Staycation the Whole Family Will Love
Can’t swing a big vacation this year? Same here. But I’ve found that with a little creativity (and a lot less packing), a summer staycation can be just as fun, and way easier on the wallet. Whether you’ve got a weekend or a whole week, these budget-friendly summer staycation ideas will help you plan something your whole family will enjoy.
Why Staycations Totally Work
Let’s be honest: traveling with kids can be stressful. Flights, hotels, restaurant meals, it all adds up fast. A staycation skips all that and keeps the focus on family time. Plus, you can plan everything around your schedule and your space. No lines, no airport security, no overpriced snacks. Yes, please.
Step 1: Choose Your Staycation Theme
Before you jump into planning, think about what your family truly enjoys. Are your kids all about outdoor adventures, or do they love cozy movie nights? Do you want your staycation to feel relaxing, exciting, or a mix of both? Picking a theme makes it easy to plan fun activities without overcomplicating things, and it gives everyone something to look forward to. Here are a few examples of staycation ideas to get you started:
- Backyard Beach Day
- Camping at Home
- Around-the-World Week (each day features a different country’s food, games, music)
- Movie Marathon Weekend
Step 2: Set a Loose Schedule
Once you’ve picked your theme, the next step is figuring out a plan that keeps things fun but flexible. You don’t need to map out every hour, just create a light structure so everyone knows what to expect each day.
- Plan breakfast, lunch, and dinner themes.
- Add 1–2 “main events” per day: a scavenger hunt, water balloon fight, or s’mores night.
- Leave room for free play or quiet time.
Step 3: Prep Your Space
Setting the scene can make even the most ordinary moments feel special. Use what you have, get the kids involved, and focus on making your space feel different from the everyday routine.
- Set up a tent indoors or outside.
- Create a DIY snack bar.
- Use printables to create tickets, menus, or activity checklists (I can create one if you’d like!)
Step 4: Make It Special (Without Spending a Ton)
You don’t need to blow your budget to make a staycation feel exciting. With a few thoughtful touches and creative planning, you can build experiences your family will remember.
- Borrow books and movies from the library.
- Shop your house for decorations.
- Use gift cards or coupons for local takeout nights.
Family-Favorite Staycation Activities
Looking for inspiration? These are some of our tried-and-true favorite budget-friendly summer staycation ides that are easy to pull off and guaranteed to bring some smiles. Mix and match them based on your family’s interests!
- Water balloon baseball
- Sidewalk chalk obstacle course
- At-home spa day (kid-safe face masks + cucumber slices!)
- Cook a meal from a different country each night
- Neighborhood photo safari (use phones to snap pics of funny or pretty finds)
A staycation is what you make it, and honestly, some of our best summer memories were made right in our backyard. With a little planning and a playful mindset, you can give your family a vacation they’ll be talking about long after summer ends, without draining your bank account.
