Local Staycation Ideas

15.05.2025 5 min reading time

Make Summer Shine with Affordable Fun for Families

Summer is Here — But Different

Summer is here — but for many, vacation plans are out of reach. With rising travel and accommodation costs, families are choosing to stay local. The good news? Some of the most joyful summer memories are made close to home. In fact, local activities often create stronger bonds and more meaningful experiences than distant vacations. They’re not just alternatives to travel — they’re invitations to uncover the wonder and excitement right in your neighborhood.

"With travel costs rising, many families are looking for meaningful ways to spend quality time together closer to home. This creates an exciting opportunity for local activity providers — and for anyone who's passionate about sharing their skills with their community. Whether you're a seasoned provider or just starting out, these staycation activities offer a perfect way to connect with families in your area while building a sustainable local business. The best part? You don't need to be a professional teacher or have expensive equipment to create memorable experiences."

Why This Matters: Local Opportunities

By offering simple, local acts, you can make a real difference. Not only for families searching for connection, but for yourself — building visibility, repeat customers, and income all summer long. Here’s why local activities are becoming increasingly valuable:

Quality Time Without the Stress

Local activities eliminate travel stress, packing, and long journeys. Families can focus on what matters: spending quality time together. This creates a more relaxed, enjoyable experience that parents and children will want to repeat.

Building Community Connections

When families participate in local activities, they're not just having fun — they're building connections with neighbors and creating a sense of belonging. This community aspect is especially valuable in today's digital world.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly

Local activities reduce carbon footprints and support sustainable living. Families are increasingly conscious of their environmental impact, making local activities an attractive choice for eco-conscious parents.

Cost-Effective for Everyone

Without travel expenses, families can invest more in the actual experience. This means they're often willing to pay for quality local activities, making it a win-win for both providers and participants.

Here are five ready-to-copy acts you can offer right where you live. Just adjust to your area and get started.

5 Ready-to-Use Staycation Acts

Each of these acts is designed to be simple to set up, fun to run, and perfect for local families looking for summer activities. They require minimal equipment and can be adapted to your specific location and style. The key to success is creating a welcoming atmosphere and focusing on the experience rather than perfection. These activities are designed to be repeatable, allowing you to build a regular clientele throughout the summer.

Family exploring a park during a scavenger hunt, looking at clues and collecting tokens

1. Family Scavenger Hunt

Playful adventure through the neighborhood

We'll begin our journey with a special map that holds the key to hidden wonders right in your local park. Each family team will become intrepid explorers, following carefully crafted clues that lead to fascinating local landmarks, secret spots, and natural treasures. Along the way, you'll solve playful riddles, complete fun challenges, and collect special tokens that tell the story of your adventure. We'll celebrate our discoveries with a special group photo and a small treasure for each explorer, creating memories that will last long after the hunt is over.

What to Prepare:

Map your local park
Create 10-15 local feature clues
Get checkpoint tokens/stamps
Bring a camera
Prepare small rewards

Tips for Success:

Offer age-appropriate difficulty levels
Add funny facts
Try themed hunts

Perfect for all ages and requires minimal setup. Families love the mix of adventure and discovery, making it a great repeat activity throughout the summer. Consider offering different routes or themes to encourage repeat visits. The key to success is creating an engaging narrative that makes familiar places feel new and exciting.

Parent and child working together in a kitchen, making mini pizzas with fresh toppings

2. Parent & Child Cooking Session

Cook, laugh, and taste together

Welcome to our cozy kitchen where families bond through cooking! Together, we'll create delicious mini pizzas with colorful toppings and sweet treats like fruit skewers or cookies. As we cook, we'll share stories and laughter, turning simple ingredients into edible art. The best part? Sitting down together to enjoy our creations and celebrate the joy of cooking as a family.

What to Prepare:

Cooking stations and pre-measured ingredients
Recipe cards and child-safe utensils
Dining area setup

Tips for Success:

Offer varied recipes
Use seasonal ingredients

Cooking together creates lasting memories and teaches valuable skills. This format works well for both small and larger groups, and can be adapted to different dietary preferences. The key to success is creating a relaxed, fun atmosphere where mistakes are part of the learning process. Consider offering different themes (international cuisine, baking, healthy snacks) to encourage repeat visits.

Group of people lying on blankets under the stars, looking up at the night sky with star maps

3. Backyard Stargazing Night

Explore constellations just outside your door

As the sun sets, we'll gather in a cozy circle of blankets, watching the first stars twinkle above like distant friends. Together we'll discover constellations that come alive with fascinating tales of mythology and wonder. The evening air will be filled with soft murmurs of shared discoveries and occasional gasps of delight as we spot shooting stars. Warm drinks will keep us cozy as we share stories and create memories under the vast, starry sky.

What to Prepare:

Set up a safe bonfire area with seating
Create a simple star map for the current season
Have glow-in-the-dark markers and clues ready
Prepare a collection of local night-time stories

Tips for Success:

Create different story themes for various age groups
Include basic night-time safety tips
Consider seasonal variations (summer fireflies, autumn leaves)
Add local folklore to make it unique to your area

A magical experience that requires minimal equipment but creates unforgettable memories. Perfect for summer evenings and can be adapted to different age groups. The key to success is creating a sense of wonder and discovery. Consider offering different themes like outdoor cooking sessions, torch-lit nature walks, or storytelling nights under the stars to encourage repeat visits.

Children creating art with natural materials like leaves and twigs in an outdoor setting

4. Nature Art Workshop

Create with leaves, sticks, and imagination

Turn nature into your art studio. We'll start with a walk to collect materials like leaves, bark, and stones, learning about the plants we find. Then we'll use these natural items to create art - from leaf collages to painted stones. There's no right or wrong way to create - it's all about expressing yourself with nature's materials. We'll end with a gallery walk where everyone shares their artwork and the story behind it, celebrating nature and creativity together.

What to Prepare:

Basic art supplies and outdoor stations
Collection bags for natural materials
Display area for finished artwork

Tips for Success:

Teach about nature while collecting materials
Offer projects for different skill levels

Combines outdoor exploration with creative expression. The materials are free and abundant, making this a cost-effective activity that's both educational and fun. The key to success is creating a balance between structured guidance and creative freedom. Consider offering different themes or techniques to encourage repeat visits.

Families enjoying beach games and water activities at a lakeside setting

5. Lakeside Summer Meetup

Cool off with water, games, and connection

We'll start with some fun beach games that bring out everyone's playful spirit. Try our "Treasure Hunt Relay" - teams race to find hidden beach treasures while solving riddles along the way. Then dive into gentle water activities like our "Floating Art Gallery" where participants create temporary art installations using floating materials. The sound of laughter will mix with the natural symphony of the lake as we splash, play, and create memories together. As the afternoon unfolds, we'll share a casual picnic by the water's edge, where stories and snacks are exchanged freely.

What to Prepare:

Shaded meeting point and picnic area
Beach games and safety equipment
Sunscreen and water supplies

Tips for Success:

Plan age-appropriate activities
Ensure proper water safety

A perfect way to beat the summer heat while creating community connections. This format works well for larger groups and can be adapted to different water settings. The key to success is creating a relaxed, inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels welcome. Consider offering different themes or activities to encourage repeat visits.

Be the Reason This Summer Shines

Whether it’s your first time offering an act or your tenth, there’s no better moment to start than now. Families need these moments. You have what it takes to create them. Local activities aren’t just alternatives to travel — they’re opportunities to build stronger communities, create lasting memories, and make a real difference in people’s lives.

The beauty of offering local activities is that they create regular customers who come back week after week. Each successful session builds your reputation and creates word-of-mouth marketing. Plus, you’re helping families create meaningful connections and lasting memories in their own community, turning everyday moments into extraordinary experiences.

Start your act today on 99active. Make it local. Make it joyful. Make it count.

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Author's Note

What I love most about these staycation ideas is how they transform familiar places into little summer adventures. Whether it's stargazing in the garden or creating art from natural materials – connection and discovery often begin right in our own backyard. 99active makes it easy to share these special moments. From simple experiences emerge genuine community and unforgettable memories.

- Kathleen