Ultimate Summer Staycation Ideas
Not everyone enjoys travelling in the summer. Beaches are overflowing, hotels are fully booked, and restaurants are overpriced. If you’ve got kids, there’s the added pressure of keeping them entertained – and we know how challenging that can be! But the holidays can be simpler with a staycation. Not only does it save you time and money, but it can also help you feel more rested, which is what holidays are all about. Here are some staycation ideas to take the pressure off this summer.
What’s a staycation?
A staycation is a holiday you spend at home or in your own city. It may include leisure activities with family and friends or visiting local attractions. While the term was popularised during COVID lockdowns, it’s now used by people who stay home for the holidays, either because they want to save money, spend more time with family or avoid the stress of travel.
Ultimate summer staycation ideas
Staying home during summer doesn’t have to be boring. Below are some clever ways to bring the holidays to you with minimum effort and maximum fun.
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Bring the resort to you
Why go to Fiji when you can create a resort or tropical island feel in your own backyard? Start by adding tropical plants, such as palms, philodendrons and hibiscus – anything with wide green leaves and exotic flowers. Go for advanced trees and plants so the tropical effect is instant. Place them in pots around your deck or directly in your garden beds.
Next, update your outdoor furniture with island-style tables and chairs. Try rattan daybeds or Cape Cod recliners (browse Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace if you’re on a budget). If you’ve got space, hang a hammock between two posts so you have a comfy spot to read or snooze. At night, use fairy lights, large candles (citronella is great if you want to repel mosquitoes) or tiki torches to create a tropical island glow.
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Install a pool
If you’ve got a large backyard, consider installing a swimming pool. Not only does it keep you cool on hot summer days, but you’ll add a touch of resort style to your home. For added luxury, choose a mineral pool sanitation system, such as MagnaPool. It’ll be like swimming in mineral-rich ocean water, only without the waves or jellyfish! What’s more, mineral pools are low-maintenance, climate-friendly and therapeutic. To find out more about the benefits of mineral pool systems, see this article.
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Go camping in your backyard
If you normally go camping during the summer holiday, don’t let that stop you from pitching a tent in your backyard. Make sure you include all the provisions you’d normally take, like sleeping bags, pyjamas, torches, drink bottles and snacks. If you’ve got a pool, pretend it’s a lake and go for a dip. More importantly, encourage family members to leave their devices indoors and spend more time reading, playing board games, exploring the garden (kids will enjoy identifying birds and plants) or cooking damper on a camp oven.
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Host a pool party
You don’t have to go to a bar or restaurant to socialise with friends or family. Instead, host a pool party or barbecue. Pools are a great way to cool down on a summer afternoon or evening, and friends who don’t have one will appreciate the invitation. You can even grill a few sausages for the kids and prepare cocktails for the adults. Make sure you decorate the space with candles or fairy lights, and turn on the spa for anyone who wants to take a dip after the sun goes down!
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Start an edible garden
Growing food is a great way to relax, bond with your family and cut down on your grocery bill. Depending on how much space you have, you can use large pots or plant directly in your garden. Water and fertilise weekly and encourage your kids to monitor their growth. By the end of summer, you’ll have a bountiful harvest and a fun new hobby!
If you don’t have space for a veggie patch, consider joining a community garden. While you need to bring your own seedlings and tools, you’ll have access to workshops, food swaps and expert advice. It’s a great way to meet new people, learn new skills and immerse yourself in a green space.
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Have a spa night
There’s nothing like a mineral spa to conjure up images of an island holiday. But you don’t have to travel or spend big to enjoy the benefits. With a few key supplies, you can create the same effects at home. To start, fire up your MagnaSpa, light a few candles and turn on some soothing music. Next, step into the spa and soak up the many benefits of hydrotherapy and minerals. In addition to relieving muscular aches and pains, mineral spas can soothe skin conditions and promote relaxation. A spa night can be enjoyed on your own, with a partner or with close friends.
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Book a mobile massage
If having a day spa wasn’t luxurious enough, pair it with a mobile massage session. Choose from a range of services, like deep tissue massage, relaxation body massage, reflexology and a hot stone massage. Some companies also include manicures, pedicures and facials, so invite a few friends and turn it into a pamper party. Mobile massages and beauty treatments are a great way of getting resort-style pampering in the comfort of your own home.
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Play pool games
If you’ve got a backyard pool, don’t limit yourself to swimming. In addition to diving, sliding and floating on inflatable sharks, you can also play team sports like volleyball, basketball and water polo. Rotate the games to keep your family or friends entertained – and don’t forget to join in the fun. It’s a great way to bond, keep cool and stay fit without spending hundreds on gym memberships or summer sports programs.
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Explore your city or neighbourhood
Be a tourist for a day and reconnect with your local area. If you’re in Sydney, catch the vintage ferry from Cronulla to Bundeena and explore the Royal National Park. If you’re in Hobart, visit rugged Bruny Island or the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. Information centres are a great place to find out about local hiking tracks, galleries, beaches and other hidden treasures. Create an itinerary, just as you would if you were going overseas, and don’t forget to take photos or buy postcards to make it feel like a real holiday.
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Do a house swap
Want to relax in an Airbnb without spending a cent? Consider doing a house swap. Ask a trusted friend or family member if they’d like to swap houses for the weekend. The further away they are, the more exciting it’ll be. If you can’t find someone, use a house swap platform to find a place in the suburb or region you’d like to visit. Even though you haven’t gone far, you’ll be seeing new places and having new experiences – without paying for accommodation or flights.
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Take a short course
Is there a short course you’ve always wanted to do? If so, summer is the best time to enrol. It gives you plenty of time to attend classes and practise what you’ve learnt. Try workshops on photography, cooking, sewing, languages, painting, graphic design, coding – anything that tickles your fancy. Not only will you gain a new skill, but you’ll also meet new people and have new experiences, much as you would on an overseas holiday.
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Recreate a travel destination
If you were planning to go to Paris, but work, finances, or family commitments got in the way, recreate the experience at home. Watch a French film, make or buy French food and play French music. Get the family to learn some French using Duolingo or do a virtual tour of Parisian galleries and streets. While it’s not the same as going to Paris, it can be a fun and immersive experience. And who knows? You may learn enough French to order a croissant and café au lait when you finally go to Paris!
Summing up
You don’t have to go abroad to have a great summer holiday. If you’re a homebody, you can have a camping adventure in your backyard, play pool volleyball or host a New Year’s Eve pool party. If you’re seeking adventure, you can explore hidden gems in the city, take a short course or organise a house swap. As you can see, it doesn’t take much to feel like a tourist in your own city, and best of all, you get the excitement of travel without the expense or hassle.
If you want to turn your home into a permanent staycation, consider installing or converting to a MagnaPool. You get the best of both worlds – a fun splash zone for the kids and a luxurious day spa for the adults. Contact one of our approved dealers today for more information.
The cost of a swimming pool is dependent on a number of factors in the decision-making process. A few initial considerations include what material the pool will be (fiberglass vs. concrete vs. vinyl), choosing between aboveground and inground pools and the pool equipment system. Other cost factors will also come into play in your initial planning and budget.
If you have already looked at the pros and cons of different pool systems, chances are you already know MagnaPool™ mineral pool system comes out on top in the comparisons.
*Note: More points=better savings on costs/energy and better bather comfort