A few years back, the ideas of having fun and staying home were mutually exclusive:  you could have fun or you could be a party pooper and stay home, but you couldn't do both.  Now the stubbornly grim economy and yet another spike in fuel prices have moved many families to reconsider their vacation plans.  Others have opted for local vacations in an effort to be more eco-friendly.  One of the emerging trends for both is the staycation: vacation time spent at home.

What is a Staycation?

The merest mention of a staycation can bring fear and reluctance surging into the face.  Rest assured, a staycation is not a vacation spent at home doing yard work and catching up on chores.  (That's called spring cleaning, and it's pretty much the opposite of vacation.)  Staycation ideas vary from person to person and family to family, but the most important thing is to have fun!

Fun Staycation Ideas

If the idea of a vacation spent at home appeals to you but you are drawing a blank on fun activities, don't turn to the rake and the wheelbarrow.  Use the Internet to search for ideas that interest you, or try these classic favorites:

• Be a Tourist.  There are probably things right in your hometown that you've always wanted to try but never quite got around to doing.  You don't have to live in a huge metropolis; a search of even a small town can yield a surprising number of fun pursuits.  Walk or drive Main Street and imagine you've never been there before.  You'll quickly notice how many things you've missed:  a new bakery, a bookstore, the recent additions to the park, and so on.  Now is your chance to experience the best of your neighborhood.
• Organize a Treasure Hunt.  Better yet, have someone else organize it and you play.  Remember the thrill of figuring out the clues and finally finding the prize at the end?  Recapture it with fun, witty clues filled with in-jokes.  Of course, you'll need a group of good friends for this, but what vacation has ever been spoiled by including friends?
• Picnic and Explore.  This is another throwback to vintage Americana.  It couldn't be simpler.  Assemble a group of friends.  Pack a lunch of your favorite foods or go buy one.  (It's vacation.  You can do that guilt-free.)  Drive to a state park or other recreational area.  Spend the day there, exploring, swimming, playing games – whatever is fun for you.

Saving Money on Your Staycation

For a start, you'll already be saving a considerable amount of cash on travel and lodging expenses – as much as two-thirds of your vacation budget.  If your vacation plans don't include cooking, hit the Internet for coupons to your favorite restaurants.  Restaurant.com offers gift certificates for 40% off (a $25 gift certificate will cost $10), and other sites, such as ShopAtHome.com, offer coupons for local eateries.  Be sure to check out whatever site you choose with the Better Business Bureau Online (bbbonline.org) – wasting money on fraudulent sites will really crimp your staycation style.  Often, entertainment books offer great deals to local attractions.  These can be obtained through participating businesses, area schools, or online (again, if you decide to purchase online, do a site check before buying).  There is a nominal fee involved – usually about $25 – that is quickly recouped by the money saved.

So if you are ready for a vacation but your wallet isn't, consider taking a few days to explore your local area.  A simple change of pace can be just as relaxing and refreshing as a total change of place.