10 Summer Staycation Ideas You Need to Try
At Hey Bestie, we know that summers can get really busy. Between work, family, and everyday routines, it can be easy to fall into a rut. And—before you know it—the season is over! That’s why we’re big believers of the summer staycation.
From creating a backyard waterpark to playing tourist in your hometown, there are so many ways to make your child’s summer break more exciting. With just a little creativity, you’ll bring the family together and make lifelong memories that won’t cost an arm and a leg. It’s a win-win for busy parents and bored kiddos.
Read on for 10 amazing staycation activities you and your little one will love!
1. Make a Board Game
Here’s a unique and creative way for besties to spend the day at home: invent a board game! Start with a square piece of cardboard, then use colored sticky notes to create a path. Together, write prompts on each note like, “list 5 words that rhyme,” “do 10 jumping jacks,” or “win a game of charades.” Encourage the kids to think outside the box and make the game as complicated as they want with action cards, dice, tokens, currency, treasure, stopwatches, kids’ toys, special objectives, and game mechanics!
The sky’s the limit for this amazing summer activity. Once your game is ready, sit down and play together!
2. Go Camping in the Backyard
Turn a regular night into an enchanting evening under the stars! Set a tent up in your backyard and pretend to go camping. Decorate with string lights, bring a lantern, and gather ‘round the firepit for s’mores, if you have one. A campfire—real or imaginary—is the perfect spot for storytelling!
Don’t want to sleep outside? Keep all the same fun activities, minus the sleeping bags. (Pro Tip: Pop-up play tents are easy to set up and even easier to pack away.) Just remember to bring everything inside when it’s bedtime!
3. Visit an Animal Sanctuary
Are your kiddo and her friend animal lovers, like Hey Bestie dolls Isa & Evie? Visit an animal sanctuary!
Not only will the kids enjoy some fresh air but also get up close and personal with awesome animals like llamas and donkeys. Interacting with these furry friends encourages curiosity, empathy, and courage in young kiddos. Plus, it’s super cute!
For even more fun, look for an animal sanctuary with extra summer activities such as hayrides, berry picking, and face painting.
4. Taste the World
For this summer staycation activity, bring the world to your kitchen! Pick a country and create a mini menu of its most iconic foods. Think a charcuterie board of French cheeses, a tasty spread of Spanish tapas, or a big pot of Nigerian jollof made from scratch.
Alternatively, invite some besties over for a worldly potluck where everyone brings a tasty dish from a different country. For a lasting experience, get your kiddo involved in your research and learn about the foods’ origins. The secret ingredient to this activity is curiosity!
5. Play Tourist in Your Own Town
When was the last time you visited a major attraction near you? Or better yet—has your little one seen it, yet? Playing tourist is a great way to make memories minus the travel. This is extra fun when you’ve got family visiting, or your kiddo has a day-long playdate.
Here’s a handful of fun staycation ideas for kids:
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Visit a local museum or historical site
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Wander through an unexplored neighborhood
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Treat yourselves to a fancy restaurant
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Check out a major attraction
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Go on a kid-friendly, guided tour
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Watch a live show
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Spend the night in a hotel downtown
6. Make Frozen Treats
Experiment in the kitchen with homemade ice cream cakes, ice cubes, and popsicles! There are zillions of recipes out there for ice-cold treats you can make with your kiddo to sweeten your summer at home. Think coconut mango smoothie pops, watermelon ice cubes, or a coffee cocoa ice cream pie!
Our baker dolls Emma & Camila are big fans of this tantalizing activity.
7. Build an Obstacle Course
Summer’s off to the races! Grab some pool noodles, buckets, hula-hoops, ropes, cones, and other everyday objects, then invite your little ones to create an obstacle course. This summer activity for kids is creative, engaging, and super active. Plus, it’s outdoors—a great way to spend a summer day at home.
Don’t have a yard? Rainy day? Build an indoor-friendly game of the floor is lava!
8. Have a Digital Creativity Day
Ditch the streaming and make your own shows!
Rather than go cold turkey on screentime, invite your family to create its own content. This can be a slideshow, a musical production, electronic art, a custom creation in a video game, a digital collage, or a home video. Whatever you do, have everyone present their creations at the end of the day. It’s a digital detox with a twist!
9. Create a Backyard Waterpark
This summer activity for kids really beats the heat!
With or without a swimming pool, create a backyard waterpark with a splash pad, a slip n’ slide, a sprinkler, and some water balloons. You can also add a bubble machine and dress up as mermaids for an extra splash of magic! All you really need is a hose and a little space to get wet n’ wild. (Don’t forget sunscreen!)
No backyard? No problem! Pack up the fun and head to your local park or greenspace with water blasters—instant splash zone!
10. Host a Backyard Movie Night
This is a Hey Bestie favorite! If you can get your hands on a projector, make your very own outdoor movie theatre. Hang a white sheet or curtain to use as a screen, then create a comfy oasis with blankets, cushions, and stuffies. For extra razzle-dazzle, hang colorful string lights, use pool floaties for seating, and set up a delectable snack table.
Besties Mia & Zoe love this summer activity for kids—an outdoor movie night is perfect for sleepovers!
The Best Summer Vacation Toys
Every day’s a vacation with Hey Bestie dolls! Rediscover imaginative play with mini bendable fashion dolls kids love. Perfect for playtime at home and on the go, each doll comes with a best friend for that never-ending summer feel.
Ready for your best summer yet? There’s truly no place like home. Whether you like to keep your summers easy-breezy or packed with activities, a little effort goes a long way.
For more summer activities, check out our Kids’ Activities for Best Friends Day and how you can . You can also subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on Hey Bestie doll news and printables.
See you next time!
