 |
Budget Backyard Family Vacations
Author: Cheryl Johnson  | Posted: 17-05-2006 | Comments: 0 | Views: 219 | Rating: (54)  (?) 
When travel and lodging are cost prohibitive, you can still have a vacation right at home. Yes, in your own backyard. Many of us live within reasonable distance to museums, campgrounds, historic sites, and beautiful state parks. You might be surprised at what you find in your own local area.
Do some research in your area to find free or low cost activities and sites to visit. Schedule something for each day of the week, even if it's just a park visit for a picnic. Some areas have local public beaches. Plan an outing at a local public beach. Visit historical sites. Many of these are free, educational, and fun for parents and kids.
You can even plan activities at home just as if you were at an exotic vacation spot. Have a different theme for each day. For example:
1. Beach day - sun tanning, volley ball, make some fancy icy drinks to sip on in the sun, have a picnic.
2. Camp day - stay in a tent or sleeping bags under the stars, build a little fire if allowed in your area, roast marshmallows, make smores, sing campfire songs.
3. Have a backyard fair - create booths with games like ring toss or balloon popping to win little prizes.
4. Colonial day - dress, and live in another era!. This is great fun. I thought of this one purely by accident when the electricity went out one day. The kids expressed how "neat' it was to live like they did in the "old days." No lighting except candles and lanterns, no T.V. or radio, no video games or computer. Sounds boring, but believe it or not, they had fun coming up with ideas to keep occupied. A good teaching tool too! Shhhhhhhh..... don't tell the kids.
5. Cultural Day - Live, celebrate, dress, and eat as you learn about different cultures. Some examples might include an Irish, Native American, or Spanish Day. Another great learning experience. Try to include some ethnic games to make it even more fun and interesting.
These "theme days" at home will take some imagination and a little work, but will be loads of fun for everyone. Half the fun will be in the creation, so let everyone pitch in. With a little imagination and creativity you can have a wonderful vacation right in your own backyard. You may even have more fun than actually being in another part of the world!
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/budget-backyard-family-vacations-28710.html
About the Author:Cheryl Johnson is a mother of four on a mission to become debt free. As publisher of Simple Debt Free Living at http://www.SimpleDebtFreeLiving.com she hopes to guide and encourage others to become debt free. Budget, manage debt, and save money!
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Just watched the Travel Channel and Tony was ...
By: Sandy | 18-08-2008
Just watched the Travel Channel and Tony was eating at a wonderful place and I didn't get the name of the restaurant. Corn cakes, shrimp in Grits and Fried Green Tomatoes. Can anyone help?
Thanks,
Sandy
Can anyone send me any information about Don ...
By: duffslife | 18-08-2008
Can anyone send me any information about Don Cornelius's family tree. If so please forward this information. Also is Don related to Booker on "Good times" ?
Was Luigi Marconi (older stepbrother of Marconi of ...
By: Andrew Richards | 18-08-2008
Was Luigi Marconi (older stepbrother of Marconi of telegraph history) married to Margarita Riccardi? Margarita was the daughter of Guiseppina Pompie and Gregorio Riccardi. She was also grand daughter of Severio and Antoinette Pompie.
Looking for my brother
By: Antonio | 18-08-2008
Iam lookng for my brother Robert E Fighera if any buddy knows hm have him contacted me. My name is Antono Fighera
Where can I pickup my tickets? What is the easiest ...
By: Raydan | 18-08-2008
Where can I pickup my tickets? What is the easiest way?
How do I buy tickets to the playoffs?
By: Raydan | 18-08-2008
How do I buy tickets to the playoffs?
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Advice Articles
Get Your Golden Parachute
By: Carol Forsloff | 12/10/2008
Golden parachutes aren't just for rich people. Everyone can have one; it just takes a little planning and optimism. You need to know where they are in your life. After that you will have the soft landing you wanted to take care of you the rest of your life.
Self Defense and Self Protection 411
By: Mark Logan | 12/10/2008
What’s your self-defense IQ? Learn about ways to keep safe in your home, at work, and going through your daily routine with this easy-to-read guide.
Anandacharya's Predictions
By: Yuga Rishi Shriram Sharma Acharya | 11/10/2008
“Twenty four years before the 3rd World War and 24 years after it ends, will be full of turbulence for India. The preceding 24 years will see circumstances akin to those seen after Mahabharat war. The latter 24 years will be like dawn before the sunrise of a New Era. I will give up my body a few days after I see my motherland (India) attaining independence. Other people will see the extraordinary changes taking place in India after it gains political freedom. “
Shocking Tips To Get Your Ex Back That Work Like A Charm
By: Paula Snyder | 10/10/2008
A break up with a long time partner is a difficult time for anyone. However, there is still hope in getting your ex back if you know how. Shocking tips will reveal how and you will be amazed at the results.
Learn How Subliminal Message Software Can Re-Program Your Psyche
By: Kristi Ambrose | 10/10/2008
Most of the time we have grown to become so negative and critical of ourselves that even if we promise ourselves that we will try to do these affirmations, we fail. It's our mind saying things like "you can't do this, you can't do anything else, why would you be able to do something this easy?" or the ever annoying "this isn't going to help you, nothing will, you will always be a loser."
Should You Battle For Love?
By: Kristi Ambrose | 10/10/2008
First off, if you are engaged for several years that already should put a flag up, someone is afraid of commitment. Another flag should go up if you argue so much that you spend more time giving the silent treatment than actually conversing with your lover.
Behind the Language of Numbers
By: raphnix | 10/10/2008
Often associated with occult and astrology, numerology is any of the many systems, tradition, or beliefs in a mystical relationship between numbers and physical objects or living things.1 it is the study of numbers and letters significance.
Step-by-Step Love Guide Available!
By: Kristi Ambrose | 10/10/2008
If a bond such as marriage can be broken I would hate to even know the percentage rate for people just breaking up and being boyfriend/girlfriend! Break ups happen for all sorts of reasons but the most general reason is simple because the couple doesn't understand each other and this in turn causes a lot of unneeded fighting! So, what if you could fix this?
More from Cheryl Johnson
Debt Free Living: Justifying A Non-Purchase
By: Cheryl Johnson | 02/06/2006 | Advice
Do you sometimes feel like you're making a lot of sacrifices to live debt free? Debt free living is easy if you don't have any debt. But, living debt free and working to eliminate debt, at the same time, can be a struggle.
The Debt Free Living Recipes
By: Cheryl Johnson | 02/06/2006 | Advice
Living debt free is a feeling that's hard to explain. It's a feeling that's alien to most consumers today. But once you've had a taste of living without debt, and without the stress that often comes with it, you'll be cookin' it up all the time.
Stuff Happens: Be Prepared
By: Cheryl Johnson | 02/06/2006 | Advice
As children, if we learned nothing else from those "scary" nursery rhymes, it should have been that "stuff" happens! Scary? Yes, Scary! Jack fell down and broke his crown...
Frugal Family Vacations
By: Cheryl Johnson | 18/05/2006 | Advice
Everybody loves a nice, relaxing, vacation. The family vacation gives us a chance to focus on family and spend some quality time together. Unfortunately, sometimes the family vacation can be costly. Especially, if you have a large family.
Debt And Debtor's Disease. Do You Have It?
By: Cheryl Johnson | 10/05/2006 | Advice
Debtor's disease is a silent killer. Killer of respect, marriages, self control, and families. There isn't a part of your life that it won't touch and destroy with it's deadly power. Some of you won't even know you have it for many, many years.
Finding Your Niche In The Business World
By: Cheryl Johnson | 10/05/2006 | Business
Who am I and what do I love to do? Well, isn't this the twenty million dollar question! A more appropriate question might be "Who was I and what did I love to do?" As you search to find yourself, and what it is you love to do, you may find the task harde
|
|
Self Improvement 
