10 Family-Friendly Winter Staycation Ideas

When you’re stuck inside, have a winter staycation with these ideas.

The snow and temperatures are falling. Winter is surely upon us. After the holidays are finally over, it’s nice to just be able to sit back, relax, and take a break from everything.

However, wallets can be pretty thin at the start of the new year. If you’re finding that you can’t go on a trip this year, why not take your winter vacation at home?

Have some great family fun with these winter staycation ideas from Blain’s Farm & Fleet.

1. Make a blanket fort

The very first thing you need to do when having a staycation is get the kids together to make an awesome blanket fort. There is no wrong way to make a blanket fort.

You can use your living room furniture, such a couches and chairs, to create the backbone of your fort. Then, drape blankets over them. Making this special getaway retreat can be a fun activity for the kids.

2. Tell stories

Once their castle is complete, this is a perfect place to relax with the family. Cuddle up with the children to tell stories.

You can tell them stories from your childhood, make up kid-friendly scary stories, or read from books. And make sure you let them tell some stories, too!

3. Play games

Play games with your kids at their level. Play card games, video games, have a board game competition, and more.

You could even just strap some headlamps on, and light the walls of your play fort for a fun shadow-puppet show.

Or assemble a puzzle!

4. Have a bonfire

If you start getting tired of being stuck indoors, get outside and have a bonfire. The winter months might be chilly, but a fire can help you stay warm.

At the fire, play some music and drink hot beverages, such as hot cocoa.

5. Make pudgy pies

While having your bonfire, why not make some pudgy pies for a delicious treat? If you don’t have a firepit, you can also use a cast iron pie maker to cook them over a gas stove.

Let your child come up with their own flavor combination, like peanut butter and bananas. You never know—it could become your new favorite!

6. Make some popcorn

Pop some popcorn for a tasty treat to share with a popcorn machine. If you don’t feel like sharing, grab your own bag of flavored popcorn.

Make sure you keep your eye on your popcorn, though. Beware of little hands reaching in your bowl!

7. Watch a movie

Now that you have your popcorn, it’s the perfect time to curl up on the couch or in the fort, and end the day with a family movie night! If you have time, you could even have a movie marathon.

8. Let the kids camp in the fort

Once it’s time to go to sleep, your kids will love being able to slumber in their homemade fort. Let them sleep in sleeping bags for a true camping feel.

9. Have family breakfast

In the morning, let your kids wake up to the warm and comforting smells of waffles being made in a waffle iron. Hear the crackling of seasoned sausage and bacon cooking to perfection on a cast iron griddle.

Sit around your makeshift picnic and blanket fort for a memorable family breakfast.

And since you’re on vacation, you shouldn’t have to do the dishes. Make cleanup a breeze with disposable cups, plates, and silverware. Just toss everything in the waste basket when breakfast is over.

10. Make the most of the winter weather

Once you’ve filled up on breakfast, get outside to make the most of the winter weather. Go sledding, snow tubing, ice skating, snowshoeing, walk your dog, and more! There are plenty of winter activities you can do to embrace the snow.

You don’t have to leave home to have an unforgettable time. There are plenty of things to do on a winter family vacation at home.

The most important is that you have fun and do what you and your family enjoys doing. Just make sure that you have a little ingenuity and an open mind. You’ll be sure to have a blast and make wonderful memories to last a lifetime.

For more ideas like these, check out our Seasonal Activities Blog.