Staycation Ideas

Attend Baseball Spring Training

Paul — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:31:53 +0000

The Boys of Summer are…well…not back, but on their way. In the months of February and March they’re in Spring Training, which makes going to watch them a perfect Spring Break weekend get-away. Visit your favorite Major League Baseball team as they hone their skills for the upcoming season. If you want to meet and greet your favorite players, collect autographs, and commune with fellow fans, a Spring Training break is the perfect plan.

How to Make it Happen

Location. Location. Location. That’s the key to pulling off this Staycation without spending a lot of money. But if you live near one of the hosting southern states, it can be done. Admission is charged for Spring Break scrimmages, but it is still considerably cheaper than regular season games. If you are staying overnight, be sure to plan ahead as hotels will fill up. Budget in money for food, although if you are road tripping from a nearby state, save money by packing a cooler with sandwiches and drinks for the car ride.

For a complete list of where and when your favorite team will be practicing and playing, consult the Major League Baseball website, MLB.com, or visit individual team websites (you can link to these from the MLB site). Arizona and Florida are the hosts for all Spring Training sessions. If you do live up North—or just too far away to drive––you still might want to splurge a little for the chance to see your favorite players up close. Look for organized air/hotel packages arranged by team travel agencies that often provide discounted, group deals. But start looking in early winter––you will need to plan ahead for this.

If a trip to Spring Training is just out of the question, try to attend a Fan Appreciation Day hosted prior to Opening Day. Teams will list these events on their websites.

Follow-up Activities

Attend an actual baseball game—MLB, minor leagues or even college.
Join a company or neighborhood softball team.
Play catch with the kids in the backyard and maybe help them start a baseball card collection.
Host a baseball movie night. Some suggestions include: Bull Durham, Eight Men Out, The Natural, Major League and Field of Dreams.

Go Ice Skating

Paul — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:05:51 +0000

You don’t have to be Michelle Kwan to enjoy a little time on the ice. No triple-loops are necessary. If you love skating, haven’t done it since you were a kid, or never learned—now’s the time to get out on the ice. And don’t forget the hot chocolate when you’re done.

How to Make it Happen

Do an online search or call your local Chamber of Commerce for locations of public ice rinks in your community. They can provide information including admission prices and hours. Check to make sure they rent ice skates if you need them. Most facilities will.

Some ponds and lakes at municipal parks allow ice-skating if ice conditions are right. Call your city parks department to find out about availability.

Additional Activities

Join a hockey or broomball league.
If you’re new to skating, sign up for lessons.

Stage Your Own Production

Paul — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 11:01:21 +0000

You don’t need an audience to put on a play—perhaps its even better that way. Just have fun with absolutely no inhibitions or stage fright. Most of us have a secret wish to be an actor, and staging your own home production is a fun way to act out that fantasy. Enlist the whole family or invite willing friends to star in your production.

Have fun with this and invite no divas! Don’t invite anyone to participate around whom you might be self-conscious, or who might be overly critical of another’s performance. It’s okay to want to do well, but the emphasis should be on fun. Now, pick a script and put on a show.

How to Make it Happen

First, go to the library and check out a book of plays or a script if they’re available. You can also just act out a scene from your favorite movie. Many Hollywood scripts can be found on www.hollywoodbookcity.com. Once you’ve picked your performance piece, assign every participant a part and start memorizing your lines.

From there you can make it as involved or simple as you please. For added fun, go to a costume shop to rent your wardrobe. You can also try second-hand stores for cheap clothes. Your living room will do just fine as a stage and you can add scenery if you want. Try painting on old sheets, or create cutouts from cardboard boxes—ask your local grocery store for extras they will just discard. Other art and craft supplies, or inexpensive props, can be found at hobby stores and discount chains.

To practice learning your lines, host special “rehearsal” nights. If it’s a family affair, order in pizza and run lines over the pepperoni. If you’re inviting others, make it potluck, and rotate the location between houses. Pick a night for the big event and “break a leg”.

Additional Activities

Attend a touring production of a Broadway play or musical in your area.
Pick one of the great playwrights and devote yourself to reading through his or her collection at the local library.
Support local theater troops by attending a play. Local troops are often very professional, and the smaller venue creates an intimate audience experience.

Plan a Sledding Party

Paul — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 11:00:44 +0000

Let’s face it. We can’t predict the weather. So planning a sledding party is hard to do but with all the snow that has fallen just about everywhere, now is as good as time as any! Nothing beats the laughter of kids “flying” down a hill at top velocity. Their happy shouts make the frostbite worth it. No kids? Adult friends will have just as much fun. Think of it as a second childhood!

How to Make it Happen

Even spontaneity takes a little planning. In this case, as winter approaches and snow days become inevitable, make sure you have the necessary equipment, which includes:

A sled, toboggan or even an inner tube (Inexpensive plastic sleds are available at large chain discount stores)
Winter clothing, including a coat, boots, hat, gloves and snow pants.

After that, all you need is a hill. Locate a nearby school or park with treeless hills. Then if it snows—go!

Some areas have winter sports parks that cater to sledding parties. They often have the advantage of being able to manufacture snow, which might be a nice feature for schedule-sensitive adults. And why not try night sledding? It might be colder but the feeling of flying down a hill is even more intense by moonlight.

Follow up your sledding party with hot chocolate. Or make chili in the crock-pot before you leave so you’re all ready to get something warm in your bodies upon your return. For adult parties, mix the hot chocolate with some peppermint schnapps or serve coffee and Kahlua®.

Additional Activities

Make the most of a snowy weekend. Have a family snowman-building contest or work on one big snowman together.
Build snow forts in your back yard and have a snowball fight—just like when you were kids.
Build a fire in the fireplace, pop the popcorn and watch a favorite movie. Stick with the snow theme and try Grumpy Old Men, Ground Hog Day, or Snow Dogs. For adults try Fargo, Dr. Zhivago or Ice Storm.

Family Cook Night

Paul — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:58:57 +0000

Here are the statistics: Children from families that regularly dine together are more likely to stay out of trouble in their teen years. And, kids that participate in preparing their own food often make healthier food choices. So here’s the plan: you’re going to schedule a Family Cook Night.

How to Make it Happen

Get the whole family involved from the beginning by letting everyone help plan the menu. Try to honor everyone’s choices. You may end up with several menus—just use them for future dinners. Some suggestions for easy group projects include pasta with salad and fajitas with grilled veggies. Assign everyone a task—even small children can wash veggies and mix a salad. Be sure and supervise young helpers when they are using the stove or sharp utensils. As you prepare the meal together, enjoy what happens. Talk, tease, laugh and share your lives.

Additional Activities

Pick a new recipe and try to make it.
Attend a Farmers Market together
Go out to eat. Many family-friendly restaurants offer kids-eat-free nights. (visit MyKidsEatFree.com)

Visit an Art Museum

Paul — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 19:52:37 +0000

Here’s a winter staycation idea you can do with your kids. If you haven’t been to an art museum since your grade school field trip, you owe it to yourself to go back. Museums are whole different experience as an adult. If you are taking kids, rest assured that modern museums are much more interactive and kid-friendly then they used to be. Plan a day to visit an art museum near you.

How to Make it Happen

Do an online search to find art museums and fine art institutes near you. Check for hours of operation as many museums are closed on some weekdays. You should also check to see if there is an admissions price. Some museums will simply ask for donations instead of charging an admission.

If you remember art museums as stuffy and uptight, you’ll be happy to know that museums have become more interactive. Many museums provide kid-friendly exhibits and activities, and some even devote entire wings to children. Museums are developing creative ways to get people “into art.”

You should also consider visiting a local gallery. Many of these host artist receptions and display special collections as part of their business. You just might find that great work of art you’ve been searching for.

Additional Activities

If your local art museum offers classes, consider taking one.
If you discover an artist you really like, do research and learn more about him or her.
Express yourself. Choose your medium and create your own art.

Coloring Pages for Winter

Paul — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:21:41 +0000

: Crayons from Crestock Stock Photography

I might be the only Dad on the block who requested Crayons as my gift for myself this Christmas. I love coloring with my kids…maybe even more than they do! I especially love coloring in the winter and am always on the lookout for free coloring pages for winter. I signed up for the Crayola Newsletter not too long ago and I’m glad they did. Just this morning I received a newsletter in my inbox entitled, “Crafts for Cold Winter Days”. This newsletter contains lots of free coloring pages for winter from Crayola.com. Here are some links to the best free coloring pages for winter:

And a google search returned some more websites for winter coloring pages:

Family Board Game Night

Paul — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 11:42:37 +0000

You know they’re up there. In the closet. Just sitting on a shelf. Well, it’s time to take all those board games off the shelf. Yes—it’s Family Game Night. And you’re going to have more fun than you think.

How to Make it Happen

Here are some ideas to add a twist to Family Game Night:

Devote a long night or a weekend day. Take out every game in your closet and play each at least once.
If all participants are old enough, schedule a Monopoly marathon. Buy and sell properties, build real estate, bankrupt others! Release your inner-capitalist.
Choose games that can actually help your children learn skills. For instance, Cribbage and Yahtzee can teach math skills. Scrabble can teach spelling. And, Clue and Life can teach strategy.

Order a pizza, have snacks and beverages on hand, and settle in for a long night of family fun.

Additional Activities

Host a card tournament. Poker, Uno and War are all fun group games.
Host a family video game night.

Host a Video Game Night

Paul — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 11:37:04 +0000

Tired of fighting with your kids to keep them off the video games? Well, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. At least for a night. Game systems like the Nintendo Wii actually have a lot of great family games.

How to Make it Happen

The Nintendo Wii® is perfect for an electronic family game night. Try games like Wii bowling, baseball, or the Super Mario games that support multi-player contests. Adults can enjoy these games as well. Other fun group games include Guitar Hero® or Rock Band®. Challenge your child to a guitar contest, or play together as a band.

There are also many computer software games that provide great strategic and educational adventures that you can partner on with your child.

For a list of best selling computer and video games for kids, including reviews and parent comments, visit www.edutainingkids.com/software.html.

Additional Activities

Host a traditional family board game night.
Follow Wii Bowling with an actual game at the bowling alley. If you have kids, ask the alley to put up gutter guards.

Orienteering

Paul — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:05:48 +0000

To find your way in the world, all you need is a compass and a map. Those are also the two things you need for the fast-growing sport of orienteering. Orienteering challenges participants to find their way on a pre-determined path using a compass, a map, and one’s own physical and mental abilities.

How to Make it Happen

According to the US Orienteering Federation, www.us.orienteering.org, the objective of orienteering is to “…run, walk, ski, or mountain bike to a series of points shown on the map, choosing routes––both on and off trail––that will help you find all the points and get back to the finish in the shortest amount of time.”

Designed as a sport, participants pass a series of control markers that they must punch to prove they’ve been there. The goal is to finish the course as quickly as possible.

For more information on how to get started with orienteering, important safety tips and competition locations, visit www.us.orienteering.org.

Additional Activities

Practice your skills with a compass by taking an off-trail hike in the woods. Use caution and never hike where it’s prohibited. Always let someone know where you are going.
Try geocaching.