Close to Home, Big on Fun: The Seldom A Dull Moment Staycation

When most people think of a vacation, they picture packing bags, hopping on a plane, and escaping to somewhere far from home. But sometimes, the best adventures don’t require a passport—or even a full tank of gas.

Whether it’s a busy season at work, a tighter budget, or just the desire to slow down and soak in the beauty of home, a staycation can still check all the boxes of a memorable family getaway. Around here, we believe that with the right mindset and a little planning, even a weekend at home can become something truly special. Because a staycation? Yep, it can absolutely be Seldom A Dull Moment.

DREAM: It starts with a mindset shift.

Just like any other vacation, your staycation should begin with a family dreaming session. Ask:

• What kind of vacation vibes are we craving? Adventure? Relaxation? Fun food experiences?
  
  

• What would make this feel different from a regular weekend?
  
  

• Is there a theme we could play with? (Think: “Backyard Beach Bash” or “Taste Tour of Town.”)
  

• Don’t underestimate the power of dreaming big—even if you’re staying close. This helps everyone get excited and take ownership of the plans.

Big Adventures, Smart Budgets: How to Design Your Dream Vacation Without Going Into Debt

 Let’s face it—just the idea of planning a big vacation can feel overwhelming, especially when you start thinking about the cost. Flights, hotels, meals, tickets, gas, extra fun…it adds up fast. I’ve been there. As busy parents with full schedules (and a tight budget), we started early figuring out ways to save for family vacations. Having grown up as a military BRAT, family travel was a big part of my life and still is. My daughters grew up in a family of two public school teachers and many times, we were questioned as to HOW we can afford to take such great family vacations. Family vacations are a priority for us, and we figured out how to make it work.

Budget Family Vacation Planning in 6 Smart Steps

• Start with your total budget
• Prioritize what matters most
• Travel during shoulder season
• Mix up your meals
• Book stays with perks
• Expect the unexpected

Scroll on for detailed tips, real-life examples, and my favorite tried and true hacks!

It wasn’t without trial and error though. Take our first trip to Grand Teton National Park back in 2009. I had planned out the flights, the rental car, our lodging near Jackson Hole—everything was lining up beautifully. But what I didn’t do was budget for meals. I was so used to our Disney trips, where the dining plan took care of everything, that I completely underestimated how much we’d spend feeding a hungry family of four out West. By day three, we had blown through the food part of our budget. Lesson learned: food is not included when you leave the magic bubble of Disney!

But that trip, hiccups and all, became one of our favorites—and it kicked off a whole new way of thinking about travel planning. Over the years, I’ve learned that you can take amazing vacations without blowing your budget. In fact, having a solid plan in place has helped us travel more often, with less stress, and more joy. And here’s the kicker: budgeting for a trip doesn’t take the fun out of it—it actually helps create space for the fun to happen.

In this post, I’m sharing the real tips and tricks we’ve picked up through trial, error, and a whole lot of road trips, flights, and family memories. Whether you’re saving for your first big adventure or trying to make your next trip even more doable, read on!

So grab a cup of coffee, open your notes app (or your favorite notebook), and let’s dive into how to budget smartly, dream big, and make your next family getaway not just possible—but unforgettable.

Designing Your Dream Vacation WITH your kids help!

 

Designing Your Dream Vacation: Part 2 – Turning Dreams into a Plan

Welcome back to Seldom A Dull Moment! If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably feeling the weight of vacation planning—especially when you’re trying to balance your big kids' disinterest with your desire for a meaningful getaway. If you’re thinking, “How do I get my kids excited about this trip?” or “I’m about to pull my hair out,” don’t worry, you’re not alone.

In the first post of this series, we talked about the importance of dreaming together as a family. But now, it’s time to get to work and design the vacation of your dreams—without the stress, frustration, or feeling like you’re dragging your kids along for the ride.

• Interested in reading the first 2 posts in this series? Click the links below.
• Intro Post...Dream, Design, Depart: How to Plan a Family Vacation That Everyone Will Love
• Part 1...Dreaming About Your Family Vacation: Getting Everyone Involved

Planning a family vacation when your kids are older can feel impossible. “The kids get bored!” “It’s hard to plan a vacation where EVERYONE has fun!” “I give up! No more family vacations!” We've all been there. But the secret to making this work is getting everyone involved—yes, even the teenagers who’d rather be glued to their phones—and designing an itinerary that’s got a little something for everyone. Here’s how to do it without losing your sanity.