The best way to have a vacation at home
Sometimes a vacation is completely needed but you can’t always just pack up and head out…
That's where the “staycation”, or backyard camping comes in! You can recreate a fun trip without having to leave your own backyard. The staycation is a fun and low-cost way to get away without having to go through the stress of actually traveling! It will keep the kids happy and entertained while you can kick back and relax a little yourself.
Preparing for your staycation is easy! All you need to do is just set a few things up and you are good to go. To get everything ready for your staycation you will need just a few things! First, find a nice area in your yard— this is where you will set up your camping grounds. To set up everything, you will need a tent to sleep in or a tarp to lay out on top of! You will also need some bedding, pillows, and anything you need to make your staycation comfortable.
Set up your campsite and get comfy! Bring along some lanterns or flashlights and fun toys like bubbles, a disposable camera to capture some fun memories, or even just some fun board games. Try to make this as “tech-free” as possible to encourage outdoor playing and interaction. To have things feel even more special you can make some quick s’mores in your oven.
To make oven s’mores you just need a bar of chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows!
First, you need to preheat your oven to 400°F.
Next, lay half of your graham crackers on a cookie tray. Then place a piece of chocolate in the center of each cracker and finish off with a marshmallow on top.
Then, when your oven is preheated, place your s’mores on the middle rack of your oven for about 3-5 minutes or until the marshmallows are golden brown.
When everything is ready, place the rest of the graham crackers on top of each marshmallow and press down to create your s’more!
Let things cool down if they are hot and enjoy!
Summer could not be a more perfect time to try this fun activity, plus it saves you plenty of energy and time by reducing travel costs and keeping you close to home. It also makes your kids happy and relaxed instead of feeling cooped up and unable to get out to explore, so enjoy!
Clara Busé is a recent graduate from SCAD, Savannah College of Art and Design. She has a BFA in Writing and is currently working from her hometown, Atlanta.