Staycation Ideas for Kids
Kids do not need a plane ticket to have the best week of the summer. The best staycation ideas for kids combine a little adventure, a little novelty and plenty of time with you.
Backyard camping
Pitch the tent, cook over a grill or fire pit, tell stories and count stars.
Hotel pool night
One night in a hotel with a pool feels like a holiday to most children.
Zoo and aquarium days
Go at opening time, plan around feeding times and leave before meltdowns.
Museum adventures
Science and children’s museums are built for hands-on play.
Theme days
Space, pirates, dinosaurs or a country of the week, with food, crafts and a movie to match.
Transit trips
A train, ferry or tram ride is an outing in itself for small children.
Planning a Family Staycation
- Let kids vote. Each child picks one activity; the adults pick one.
- Make a visible plan. A poster or calendar of the days builds anticipation.
- Pack bags. Even for a day trip, a “travel bag” makes it feel real.
- Mix big and small days. Follow a theme-park or zoo day with a slow park day.
- Check free days. Many museums, zoos and libraries have free or reduced-admission days, and some libraries lend museum passes.
- Include one overnight — a hotel, a cabin or a tent outside.
Our state park page covers cabins and campgrounds, and at-home ideas covers rainy days.
Ideas by age
| Age | Staycation ideas |
|---|---|
| Toddlers | Playgrounds, splash pads, petting farms, short train or ferry rides |
| School age | Science museums, zoos and aquariums, backyard camping, bike trails |
| Teens | Climbing gyms, city tours they help plan, concerts, a hotel night with friends’ favorite food |
Rainy-day backups
Keep a list ready: indoor pools, bowling, the library, a children’s museum, a blanket fort and a movie afternoon. A rainy day on a staycation is easy to rescue when you are only minutes from home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are good staycation ideas for kids?
Backyard or living-room camping, a day at the zoo or aquarium, a hotel night with a pool, a theme day at home (space, pirates, dinosaurs), a picnic and playground tour, a science museum or a short train or ferry ride. Let kids choose one activity each.
How do you make a staycation feel special for kids?
Give it a name and a schedule they can see, pack bags even if you are only going across town, let them help plan, and include one treat they would not get on a normal day.
Plan a Family Staycation
Tell us your kids’ ages and your city, and a travel specialist will suggest family hotels and outings.
Get Free Trip Quotes