Home - Travel-Inspired Living - Holiday Fun at Home – 7 Great Staycation Ideas
If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
We link to affiliated partners at no extra cost to you.
Home - Travel-Inspired Living - Holiday Fun at Home – 7 Great Staycation Ideas
If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
We link to affiliated partners at no extra cost to you.
Wanting a break, relaxation, or adventure—but without the hassle, cost, or risk of traveling far. This article gives you practical, attractive, and doable ways to make your own mini-holiday feel special.
Here are a few of our staycation ideas and activities. Stress-free and budget-friendly ideas for the school holidays.
FUN IDEA: Themed Picnic or Drinks: Bring a tropical twist with a small picnic by the pool—think fresh fruit, finger foods, or colorful cocktails/mocktails served in fun glasses.
If you’re lucky enough to have a swimming pool in your backyard—or even a view of a lake or river—take full advantage. Spend lazy days soaking up the sun and catching some Vitamin D, cocktail in hand, while watching the water ripple peacefully. Everything feels better with a view of the water: the calm, the quiet, the sense of escape. Of course, if the family starts launching splash-bombs in the pool, that peace might vanish—but then it’s time to join in and make your own waves of fun.
With a few fancy cushions and cocktails, you can imagine having an afternoon of fun at a luxury hotel. Try our 10 Best Cocktails from around the world…
FUN IDEA: Turn your staycation into a mini world tour without leaving home by experiencing food from around the globe.
Pick a country—or a few—and prepare (or order) dishes that capture its flavors: sushi from Japan, tacos from Mexico, pasta from Italy, or curry from India.
Set the table with little touches like themed napkins, music, or decorations to match each cuisine. You can even make it a fun challenge by trying new recipes together, tasting different flavors, and sharing stories about the countries you’re “visiting.” It’s a delicious, immersive way to make your stay-at-home holiday feel adventurous and unforgettable.
Even if you’re stuck at home, you can enjoy the flavors of foreign countries. Try out new cuisine. Learn to cook something from your own ‘special-world-destination’.
We have some tips on how to make it fun, on our World Recipes page. Try Portuguese Cuisine – Pastries and sweets.
Or book a fabulous online cooking experience to enjoy from the comfort of your very own home, with eatwith.
Kids can get fully involved in a food-themed staycation by giving them fun, hands-on tasks in the kitchen. They can help mix ingredients, assemble mini pizzas, roll sushi, or decorate cupcakes, turning cooking into a playful activity. Let them set the table with themed decorations or even create a “menu” for the day. Tasting new flavors can become a game, with little challenges like rating dishes or guessing ingredients. Involving them makes the experience interactive, sparks curiosity about different cultures, and turns mealtime into a joyful family adventure.
FUN IDEA: Bring the energy of a New York park straight to your backyard or living room with a home picnic. Spread a blanket, pack classic park snacks like sandwiches, pretzels, and fresh fruit, and enjoy them outdoors while soaking up the sun. Add some music or the sounds of the city playing softly in the background to capture that urban vibe. Toss in a frisbee or a ball for a bit of playful fun, or simply relax and watch the clouds drift by. With a little imagination, you can create the same casual, vibrant feeling of a New York park right at home.
Getting the kids involved: Add simple games like frisbee, catch, or a scavenger hunt around the yard to keep them active and engaged. They can even create “tickets” for snacks or help plan the picnic playlist. Giving them these responsibilities makes the picnic feel like a real adventure and keeps everyone entertained while enjoying the homemade city park vibe.
A garden picnic especially on a Sunday is just special. Take that beautiful picnic blanket and spend a Sunday afternoon with your family in your own garden.
You can bring out the ready-made snacks or just make sandwiches. It doesn’t have to be glamourous. It’s all about being together and enjoying the moment.
Make up your own Travel Trivia game from memories of past travels and laugh the worries away.
FUN IDEA: If it’s chilly outside and pool days or picnics aren’t on the cards, here’s a staycation idea for you. Think about why we love hotel rooms: the peaceful setting, the quiet, the little feeling of escape. Now, bring that magic home—transform your bedroom into a special holiday hideaway. Add pretty cushions, fresh flowers, or anything that makes it feel extra inviting (online shopping makes this easy). Then skip the cooking—order in a delicious meal, curl up with a good book or an awesome movie, and enjoy your own cozy, hotel-style retreat without leaving the house.
(Tip: Watch a movie that includes your favorite destination: Like “When in Rome” or “Letters to Juliet”.)
Even if you’re alone: Create a special tea tray with snacks and something to drink, get a movie and enjoy your own ‘hotel’ stay. I think this is one of the best staycation ideas.
Go on a camping trip in your own backyard.
This idea isn’t just for kids—it can be a romantic evening for newlyweds or a nostalgic trip down memory lane if you’ve shared a few great camping adventures. Grab your camping gear, light a small campfire, and toast marshmallows just like you would under the stars at your favorite campsite. You might miss the sound of waves or distant wildlife, but you can still enjoy campfire stories, cozy moments, and the simple thrill of a change of scenery right in your backyard.
To make this backyard camping night extra special, add a few little touches that turn it into a full experience. Hang string lights or lanterns to mimic stars and create a magical glow. Bring out cozy blankets, pillows, and maybe a hammock for lounging. Prepare a small snack basket with hot chocolate, s’mores, or favorite treats. You could even create a mini “campfire playlist” with crackling sounds or soft acoustic music. Little details like these make it feel immersive, turning a simple backyard setup into a memorable night that feels just as enchanting as a real camping trip.
Take a winter holiday trip around the world, without leaving your home. Everyone can help to make it fun.
1) Start the day with breakfast in Paris: A typical breakfast in Paris might consist of a croissant served with fresh fruit, jam, and cheese. A special coffee like a ‘café au lait’ or ‘café crème’ or fruit juice to be served with breakfast. Stay in your jammies for as long as possible…
2) Do lunch in Italy: A typical Italian lunch consists of a first course (il primo) which can be pasta, a second course (il secondo) which can be fish or meat, and then served with a salad or vegetables.
3) Afternoon tea in London: A sophisticated high tea with delicate snacks (you can order from a deli or make some yourself. There are thousands of quick and easy ideas online.) – Yes you can eat that extra meal and you can enjoy some pastries. After all, it is a staycation idea with a difference… Don’t make huge amounts of food, just small servings. Leaving just enough space for all the food fun of the day.
4) Dinner in Switzerland: A Chocolate or Cheese fondue is a great idea. It can be either romantic or great family fun. Above all, it is just a matter of placing everything on the table and you’re ready to go. (You can buy ready-to-use fondue packets online.) Cozy up by a fire if you have a fireplace.
Then spend some fun time playing family games like charades or cards as you would on a family holiday. The time spend together is precious and this is exactly what holidays are all about – making memories.
Should your family be up to having a bit of fun, you can always ‘imagine-holiday’ for a day or two. This is how it works.
Day 1. The kids are the hosts. They need to make sure their guests are welcome in their ‘hotel’ and obviously serve dinner by candlelight. The parents get to enjoy a romantic dinner which they did not have to prepare themselves.
Day 2. The parents are the hosts. They treat their guests to a fun day at their ‘home-hotel’ or B&B. The kids get special entertainment (like a hotel-popcorn-movie-night).
And so you can use your imagination. It can be great fun and you all get to spend a night for free at a ‘home-hotel’.
