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  • Have you burned through your go-to home activities with the kids yet?! Many of us are finding ourselves home with our families more than we ever have. Give yourself grace in knowing none of us are doing this unscheduled staycation perfectly. It’s ok to have days where you feel unproductive and unprepared. It’s ok to have days of extra couch and screen time. On days you are feeling inspired to do something fun with the family, I have compiled a list of things to try. 

    Weekend Staycation Ideas

    Indoor:

    • Plan a game tournament– Pull out the board games, deck of cards, or set up those video games, it’s game time! You can even make a bracket and battle for the ultimate champion. Or go even farther and create fun stage names and dress up for the occasion. This activity will be perfect for kids of all ages. 
    • Indoor beach day– When you aren’t able to get outside, bring the beach indoors! Bust out the bathing suits, blow up the beach balls, lay out your beach towels, and fill up those big bowls/tubs with water for the littles to play beach toys in. If you’d rather not have the mess of playing with water indoors, you can bring in a blow up pool and fill with plastic balls or beach toys. Your kids would love this!
    • Movie marathon- Who doesn’t love a family activity you can do right from your couch?!? I know I do! Pile the couch with snuggly blankets, grab your favorite drinks, and stack the coffee table with popcorn and other yummy snacks. Everyone in the house can pick one movie and let the marathon begin! 
    • Have a foodie challenge- Does your family love cooking competition shows like Chopped? Bring the challenge home with ingredients you already have in the house. This would be a perfect activity for older kiddos. 
    • Throw a spa day- It’s time to bust out the nail polish, lotions, and candles! Take turns pampering each other or maybe just let the kids pamper you! Enjoy some lemonade or tea, make a homemade face mask, put on relaxing music, and massage those hands and feet!
    • Throw a fancy dinner or tea party- Sometimes just changing up a few details from your routine can feel extra special. Grab a tablecloth, set out your fancy dishes and eat dinner by candlelight. Or if you have little ones, maybe just an afternoon tea party! 
    • Fashion Show- Where are my girl moms at?!? Your littles would love to have the whole family dress up for a family fashion show! Everyone could just dress totally goofy or go full diva mode- that part’s up to you! 
    • Try a DIY project together- Another great activity for older kids. DIY ideas could include:  pallet planters, garden stepping stones, picture frames, etc. Get creative and have fun!

    Outdoor:

    • Backyard Camping- You can’t go wrong with camping fun in the backyard, even if it’s just for the afternoon.  Pitch a tent, hang a hammock, build a bonfire, make s’mores, then relax!
    • Backyard scavenger hunt- There are many free scavenger hunt lists you can snag from Google and have fun outdoors. You could simply check each item off as they are found or take pictures of each item. 
    • Have a picnic- Pack a simple meal in a picnic basket (or lunch pale) and head outside for lunch on a blanket. Simple sandwiches, snacks, and bottled drinks make it an easy meal that feels special.
    • Go for a bike ride or hike with the family- Get outside with the family to get some fresh air. A bike ride or hike is perfect to stretch those legs but even a car ride would work just to get out of the house for a bit. 
    • Play an outdoor sport or a camping game- Get that sports equipment out of the garage and play as a family. Or if sports aren’t your jam, grab a couple simple camping games to play together.  

    Links to fun things to try anytime throughout the week:

    1. Activities the kids will love:
      1. Lego Secret Code: https://frugalfun4boys.com/lego-secret-codes/
      2. Paper airplanes: https://frugalfun4boys.com/how-to-make-awesome-paper-airpl…/ 
      3. Toddler Activities-https://www.thispilgrimlife.com/how-to-keep-toddlers-busy/
      4. Math with Legos: https://frugalfun4boys.com/lego-math-printable-challenge-c…/ 
      5. Nerf Game: https://frugalfun4boys.com/knock-balls-nerf-target-game/
      6. Lego Scavenger Hunt: https://frugalfun4boys.com/lego-scavenger-hunt-cards/
      7. Walking Paper Horse: https://frugalfun4boys.com/paper-horse-that-walks/
      8. Star Wars Legos:https://frugalfun4boys.com/lego-star-wars-mosaic-building-…/
      9. Comic Template: https://frugalfun4boys.com/printable-comic-strip-templates/
      10. Bracelets –https://www.momsandcrafters.com/make-your-own-friendship-b…/
      11. Play Garden: https://frugalfun4boys.com/plant-a-garden-for-imaginative-play/?fbclid=IwAR17_SVXr2PEuV_GdjaGm45FXMXZDO1XXO958ajQzRWw49FgwihOZd0knns
    1. Crafts to try with the kids:
      1. Bubble Painting: https://earlylearningideas.com/art-activities-for-kids-bub…/
      2. Lego Stamping: https://frugalfun4boys.com/lego-stamping-its-art-with-bric…/ 
      3. Rock Painting Ideas: https://frugalfun4boys.com/rock-painting-ideas/
      4. Unicorn Craft: https://www.ladylemonade.nl/eenhoorn-knutselen-unicorn-maken/ 
      5. Egg Carton Craft: https://www.thebestideasforkids.com/egg-carton-flowers/
      6. Kid Purse Pattern: https://frugalfun4boys.com/cat-and-owl-felt-purse-patterns/  
      7. Pillow Craft: https://www.momsandcrafters.com/valentine-pillows/
      8. Kids Simple Sewing: https://happyhooligans.ca/beginner-sewing-activity-kids/ 
      9. DIY Road Blocks:https://www.littlelifelonglearners.com/…/diy-road-blocks.h…/
      10. Magic Drawing: https://www.learningandexploringthroughplay.com/2020/03/kitchen-roll-magic-drawing-science.html?fbclid=IwAR0uR7gqj9bmLSyfeYrqXYzhM2YFeJAzzDeldEeIrnwhmryRxkQo3N9LAU4
      11. Paper plate crafts: https://happyhooligans.ca/a-z-paper-plate-crafts/?fbclid=IwAR2vkeloDidGYWgqkbF0C-naNy4LZBPtenPqbKnEWWlieHvvA8OPGWWNJJw
    1. Things to try for the Whole Family
      1. Family Card Games: https://frugalfun4boys.com/card-games-for-kids-families/ 
      2. New Card Game: https://frugalfun4boys.com/help-your-neighbor/
      3. Dice Game: https://www.whatdowedoallday.com/pig-dice-game/
      4. Math Game: https://mathgeekmama.com/pyramid-fun-and-easy-math-card-ga…/
      5. Ask Siri Funny Questions: https://frugalfun4boys.com/funny-questions-siri-kids/ 
      6. Dad Jokes: https://frugalfun4boys.com/awesome-dad-jokes/
      7. Jokes for kids: https://frugalfun4boys.com/hilarious-jokes-for-kids/
      8. Riddles/Brain Teasers: https://frugalfun4boys.com/30-riddles-brain-teasers-for-ki…/
      9. Kitchen skills for kids: https://frugalfun4boys.com/kitchen-skills-to-teach-your-ki…/
      10. Life Bird Cams: https://frugalfun4boys.com/bird-cams-to-watch/
    1. Create a schedule or routine

    If your kids are like mine, they do best when they are on a schedule. While I’m loving the flexibility of creating whatever schedule I want right now, my kids do best on days we follow a routine- especially with school work. If you don’t have one already, here is a free adjustable schedule to print and display for school at home. The schedule has helped us stay focused each day!  

    1. https://cdn.thisreadingmama.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/VSSC-SF-TRM.pdf
    2. https://frugalfun4boys.com/creating-a-homeschool-routine/

    Check out more from Nikki Gentry Photography HERE. 

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