Spring staycation: Have fun on the cheap

Travel deals may be easier to find this year, but for many families, traveling over spring break and later in the summer—or at all this year—is just not possible. Staycations are looking better than ever, and that's not a bad thing. I remember lots of spring school vacations when our kids were little and I just loved a break from the routine, even if it meant we couldn't get to Florida just then to see Nana and Pop-Pop.

A fun, stay-at-home vacation requires the same thing as a cash-swallowing, miles-away journey: planning. So that means not letting everyone veg out in front of the TV or the computer all week, and play video games until their thumbs hurt. Which leads to this first tip for a fun yet cheap close-to-home break:

1. Turn off the TV. And the computer. It is so easy to let some channel and web surfing turn into an hours-long siege, and before you know it, days are swallowed up with too much sedentary activity and too little together time. So...

2. Go for a hike. Or a bike ride. Together. Guaranteed, there are some pretty nice hiking and bike trails near where you live. If you don't know of any, check out this local hikes website, or check with your local recreation office. Explore the natural world of where you live beyond a car window.

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3. Go camping...in your backyard. Pitching a tent a few feet from your back door is a surprising way to transport yourself from home without leaving it. Spend time planning what you need to to survive in the backyard without running into the house every half hour. Bring books, strory-telling creativity, healthy snacks and comfy sleeping supplies. (No long extension cords for TVs or computers allowed, S'more makings a must.) Plan meals that can be cooked and prepared outside, as if you really were miles from home and not a few steps away from the fridge. My youngest and one of her close friends are planning a week of "camp" at home over the summer, half in our backyard, half in her friend's. I'm all for it.

4. Be a tourist. Take one day out of the week for a trip to  one or more local tourist-y places. This could be the one day you do spend a bit more money, so plan what you truly want to see, how much it will really cost, and make sure it fits into your budget. You'd be surprised how one day of sightseeing can move you worlds away from the everyday.

5. Dinner with friends—at home. Invite friends you haven't seen in too long over for dinner. Divvy up what everyone can bring to dinner so all of the cooking and spending doesn't fall to you. Everyone is happy to pitch in to make a night together possible. If the weather is warm enough, eat outside, light some candles, relax and talk. One night with good friends is a vacation unto itself.

6. Help others. We all know these are tough times for many of our neighbors, the ones we know, and the many we don't. Set aside one day to help in your community, and do it together. Call your local soup kitchen to see if you can help serve a meal, or check in with a local Salvation Army chapter to see what kind of help is needed during your break week. Guaranteed, you will remember whatever good you do together duing your staycation.

Are you planning any staycations this year? What are some of your favoriate stay-at-home vacation ideas for having fun on the cheap?