1.Mark your calendar

Treat your staycation like you would any trip. Count down to the day your at-home fun begins. Involve everyone in planning your day and evening activities. Find at least one thing you've never done before to do each day. Pedal a four-person bike through a local park, visit a museum in someone's garage, or simply make it to the local multiplex (on a late Tuesday night!) to take in that new movie you want to see without the crowds you don't.

2.Undo your chores.

A staycation isn't an extended weekend that can be used as an excuse for an extended to-do list. The yard work and the housekeeping will wait until you're home from home. Sleep in. Stay up. Is painting a hotel your idea of a vacation? Then don't spend your staycation painting your house.

3.Expand your horizons.

Your staycation is the perfect opportunity to mix up your routine and check out those restaurants, shops and other local destinations that you take for granted in your everyday travels around town. Every great discovery you make will be even greater because it's a just a few minutes from home.

4.Reward your family.

Can't stand the thought of sitting in your living room staring at your spouse and kids for a week? Surprise them with an overnighter at a local or nearby hotel! Amenities like room service and the hotel pool's waterslide are fun whether you've traveled across the country or just down the street. Pack up the family and pretend you're out-of-towners looking for the adventure of your lives even if that means shooting your keepsake snapshots in the photo booth at the mall.

When your staycation is over, consider creating a blog to share your stories and any digital photos you took. Because it really isn't a vacation - or a staycation - until you bore other people with your fond memories.

Get going!

Looking for links to visit before your staycation?

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