Take a Family Stay-cation this Winter/Spring Break

Today I have our very first Guest Post!  This is a great article submitted by Christina Johnson!  Enjoy!

The family that plays together stays together. Although big vacations are always fun, such trips are incredibly expensive and simply not possible for the family that has to juggle several schedules. The stay-cation is the latest and the greatest way to bring the whole family together for little to no cost. Here are some ideas for family fun time in your hometown:

1. Indoor Cookout
This is a great way to spend a Saturday or Sunday since it is an all day event. In addition, it will keep the whole family fed for almost an entire week. Every member of the family gets to choose their favorite dish and everyone makes these dishes together. Nominate one person as a head chef, the kids can be line and prep cooks and so forth. Have fun, work hard and eat the fruits of your kitchen labors.

2. Triple Feature Movie Day
Have a stay-in and turn your living room into a deluxe movie theatre. Pick three favorite flicks and get the popcorn popping. Grab some movie theatre candies and completely darken the living room and enjoy a family triple feature movie day!

3. Plant a Garden
As long as the ground isn’t covered in snow, this can be done in the warm sun or the cool weather. Planting a garden is a great excuse to get outdoors and begin a lasting hobby together. Kids and parents can proudly marvel as they see their seedlings turn into landscaping. This is also a marvelous way for the little ones to learn about nature and the changing seasons.

4. Picnic
Go no farther than a local park or your back yard! Picnics in the park are severely underrated. We often drive by our local parks regularly but rarely spend time enjoying these lovely spots of green. Pack up the family’s favorites and bundle them all in a traditional picnic basket. Bring along some books and newspapers for the adults and enjoy a quiet read in Mother Nature after eating.

5. Day Hikes
All neighborhoods have some sort of nearby hiking area. Even the biggest of cities have trails on the city’s outskirts for people who want a break from it all. Do a simple online search for the trails nearest you and make a day of it. This is a great way to teach kids about surviving in the outdoors while exploring unknown locations. Don’t forget some trail snacks and lots of water!

Christina Johnson who works remotely for Elliman Prudential in the NYC Rentals market. She is using her journalism major to combine what she loves most, writing and her career. Her specialties include home decor design and DIY home improvement projects.