Skyrocketing fuel prices have many families re-evaluating their summer road trip plans. If soaring gas prices have caused you to put the brakes on a long-distance family getaway, consider other vacation destinations closer to home… really close… like your own backyard. With a little creativity (and little or no expense) you can set up the ideal vacation spot for the entire family. Here’s how:
“Camp Fill-in-Your-Last-Name-Here.” Pitch a tent. No tent? No problem. Drape a large tarp over a clothesline. Stock it with sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, an inflatable mattress, and your child’s favorite furry friends.
Create A Safe Campfire. Build a controlled campfire in a portable grill. Kids will love the chance to roast their own hotdogs and toast their own smores. Round out the meal with some easy pasta salad and fruit. Clean up is a breeze with disposable plates and utensils.
Go Fishing. Grab some cream cheese, fish shaped crackers, and celery sticks. Place the cream cheese in a bowl (tint it with a little blue food coloring to make it look like a pond). Place the goldfish crackers in another bowl. Let your kids dip the celery sticks into the cheese, then into the bowl of crackers to “catch” some fish.
Scavenger Hunt. Hide kid-friendly snacks throughout the yard. (Small bags of chips, juice boxes, pre-packaged cookies, fruit snacks, or granola bars work best.) Send the kids on a scavenger hunt for the goodies after your meal.
Movies Under the Stars. Run a long extension cord from the house and set up the TV/VCR/DVD in a tent or near the deck to watch a rented movie. Otherwise, watch nature’s own light show. Search for constellations. Have a star gazing contest. Before hitting the sack grab some flashlights and take turns telling jokes, singing songs, or reading stories.
Finally, don’t let mosquitoes or other critters crash your campsite. Use insect repellant and light citronella candles to keep bugs at bay.