4 tips for a Spring Break staycation

Ashley Keimach works professionally as an Account Executive. She is married to her best friend Evan and together they are raising two boys aged two and one month. Originally from Los Angeles, CA, Ashley and her husband moved to Michigan to begin life anew. When not selling software, you can find Ashley making TikTok videos, writing blogs, and educating about personal finance and professional development. Ashley believes in making ideas happen and is passionate about finding the right solution at work and at home. Ashley deeply enjoys traveling. After going on her first international trip with her husband, Ashley quickly developed a passion for seeing the world around her. Whether it’s a trip down the street or to a new continent, you can find Ashley and her family making the most of their time.

Before having children, my husband and I were committed to seeing the world. Every year we would save up money and take a big trip, usually in celebration of our anniversary.

It was important to us to spend our money on memories we would cherish for years to come, and travel was the most enjoyable way for us to accomplish this goal.

Fast forward six years later, we are now the parents of two beautiful boys and while traveling looks different, it is still an important part of our lives.

So how do we make travel sustainable and enjoyable with a toddler and a newborn? The answer is simple: we find ways to explore the world around us. While it may not be feasible to take your children across continents in those early years, we have found that adventure is almost always around the corner. This is why we are huge proponents of the “staycation”. For those unfamiliar with the concept, a staycation is a type of vacation that is most often spent in one’s own city. Instead of leaving your community, a staycation is often spent nearby in a cozy or unique vacation rental. It’s a great way to enjoy new scenery without having to travel far.

Now, I know what you’re probably thinking. Why spend money and deal with the hassle of lugging two kids around just to go around the corner? I get it. Exploring your city sounds like a cheap cliche found in a state tourism ad, but the truth is, there is more to the infamous staycation than meets the eye.

Growing up in a socioeconomically disadvantaged family meant that we had to get creative with our travels. The idea of going on a cushy vacation just wasn’t feasible, especially when you throw in four children into the mix. My mother had her hands full, but that never stopped her from creating memories we would cherish forever.

It’s not a vacation if we don’t make time for midday cuddles and naps

One summer in particular, I remember my mother packed me and my siblings into the car and took us to the next city over. We spent the entire weekend in a house she rented out exploring the city and enjoying foods that were normally off limits. There was nothing about this trip that would meet the modern-day standards of “fun”. There were no “Instagram” moments to be shared. No room service. There was nothing to be envious of. And yet, it has become one of my most treasured memories.

What we lacked in amenities, we gained in authentic moments of bonding. My mother would use these mini staycation trips to teach us the true meaning of travel. Even though most people understand travel to be the physical act of going from one place to another, the actual definition of the word allows for a more poetic understanding of the act. It is not just the physical act of movement that makes traveling so satisfying, it is the movement from one state of mind to another that keeps us going back for more. This is what my mother imparted to us on these trips.

Sure, we would visit museums, browse new stores, and discover new attractions; however, it was the moments we had making s’mores, debating controversial topics, dancing to the oldies, and learning about our culture that truly made our time together special.

My mother learned early on in life that making memories that would last a lifetime had little to do with the aesthetics of your trip and more to do with the people you brought along with you. She would use our “backyard travels” to teach us the power of finding beauty everywhere we go, whether near or far, there is always something to be appreciated. It was this lesson that helped me embrace diverse cultures early on in life, and as an interracial family, it is a value my husband and I try to live out daily.

Our oldest son looking at the New York city skyline during one of our family trips.

Growing up, my husband had similar experiences. He and his family would often spend trips together exploring national parks, learning about the local history, and more importantly, learning about each other. These moments have made such a profound impact on my husband’s life that I am truly convinced he would not be the same person he is today without them.

As our children grow older and our travels begin to extend far beyond our state and those that neighbor us, we will continue to embrace the true meaning of travel. We will use every trip, both near and far, as an opportunity to find beauty, learn about new cultures, and grow more deeply in intimacy with each other. Just like the diversity found in our family, we hope our children understand and value the diversity of travel. Whether planning a huge international excursion, or a quick weekend getaway at a nearby lake, there is new beauty to be discovered, unique culture to be learned, and deep connections to be made.

Now that I have established the case for planning your next “staycation” (or at least, it is my hope that I have made a compelling case!) let’s dive into the details of what you need to make your “backyard getaway” as stress-free as possible.

With Spring Break around the corner, this is the perfect time to explore the beauty of a staycation. Since Spring Break is usually only a week, it’s a great way to experience a new way of travel without the pressure of having to plan a long getaway.

Here are four tips that will make your Spring Break backyard getaway enjoyable for toddlers and teens alike:

1. Find your home away from home

One of the biggest hurdles that come with traveling with children is having to prepare for their many needs. Depending on the age of your child, you might find yourself having to pack an entire extra suitcase just to be fully prepared. This is exactly why we believe booking a vacation rental is the best way you can travel, especially when traveling with kids. Vacation rentals often have more amenities that are family-friendly. Whether you’re looking for a first aid kit or a fully functioning kitchen, you’re likely to find what you need for a fraction of the cost of a hotel. Vacation rentals are also a great way to create that “home away from home” experience that makes it easier for children to adjust to their new environment.

Growing up, it was always the unique rental properties we stayed at that made our time together seem natural and easy. Having access to a full kitchen made it easier to enjoy meals together. Having access to a beautifully furnished living room made our conversations more enjoyable. All these details mattered, especially during those times when relaxing took precedence over exploring.

Part of the fun in taking a staycation is that it allows you to find beauty in the little things like the depth of conversations you have while on your trip and the coziness of your lodging. The pressure of having to seize the day disappears when you’re on a staycation and it instead allows you to truly enjoy your time at the moment.

I find that this mindset is most easily nurtured in a vacation rental that mimics the comfort of home while offering the novelty of being in a new environment.

2. Never underestimate the power of a good museum

Prairie Fire Museum, Greater KC Metro – There’s no such thing as too young for museums

My husband has always been an avid reader. No matter where we go, you can catch my husband reading about the history of the location. At first, I did not understand his fascination with learning random tidbits of information, but now I see the value. My husband’s curious nature is what makes Museums so much more enjoyable to him than they ever were to me. Since being together, I now find myself also reading every sign (or making my husband read it for me…) that crosses my eyes and I too find much more enjoyment in museums both big and small. Many museums also offer audio and other multimedia options to dive more deeply into the content. This makes the information provided more accessible and memorable.

Whether you have a terrible toddler, or a tactless teen, there is a museum in almost every locality that is harboring information that is both informative and entertaining.

Your children might not initially be jazzed about a trip to a museum, especially if it’s smaller and less renowned; however, I have yet to encounter a trip to a museum that ended up being a waste of time.

Museum hopping is a great and low-cost way to learn about the town you’re in and to foster a curious nature in your children.

If you ever find yourself in our neck of the woods, check out the University of Michigan’s Museum of Natural History. This beautiful museum is full of hidden treasures and information that will surely peak your imagination. To top it off, the museum is completely free!

3. Eat good food, often!

Good Food = Happy Parents

Big or small, rural or city, there is almost always a delicious eatery to be enjoyed. Even the pickiest of eaters (hello toddlers!) can find the joy in discovering hole in the wall restaurants that offer tasty food options you normally wouldn’t expect. Like all things new, you might be met with some initial resistance, especially if you have children that aren’t very adventurous yet; however, I have found that once the food makes it to your table, enjoyment is usually served with it.

Since memories are often heavily triggered by taste and smell, this is a great way to bond with your family while creating lifelong memories that your children can take with them for many years to come.

One of the restaurants we enjoy whenever we plan a staycation in a nearby city, is The Old Goat. This trendy restaurant serves traditional American cuisine with an industrial chic flare. Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this restaurant is great for kids and adults alike. Their menu offers something for everyone, and they even have a full arcade upstairs for kids to enjoy while they wait for their food.

4. Bring a piece of your trip back home

I am a huge proponent of spending money on moments and not just things; however, when traveling with children I find a mixture of both to be the best way to make a staycation in particular more enjoyable and memorable. Purchasing a small souvenir is a great way to freeze time and it often helps cement new experiences and information into our minds.

I remember growing up my mother would collect all the small souvenirs we would collect throughout the year and store it in a big blue box. As time went on and these trips started to fade from the forefront of our mind, we would gather around the table and dig through the box. Suddenly, we were flooded with fond memories and the room would saturate with laughter and reminiscing. It was a great way to bring to life the many trips we enjoyed together as a family, both big and small.

Taking your family on a “staycation” is a great way to save money and an even better way to expose your children to the concept of travel and the value found in it. As your budget grows and your children age, your trips might evolve as well; however, there is nothing quite like taking your family around the corner to discover the beauty hidden in your community.

As a family, our goal is to introduce our children to the beauty of the world. We want them to be exposed to different ways of thinking, living, eating, and even different ways of enjoying our limited time here on earth. The beauty of a staycation is that it allows us to do these aforementioned activities without the hassle of planning a huge budget and extensive itinerary. It brings freedom into the travel experience and ease into the stress of bringing kids along.

So, take a chance. Roll the dice on that Vrbo listing you’ve eyed curiously as you scroll through vacation homes nearby. You don’t have to go very far to immerse yourself in new refreshing scenery. All you need for a good time is your favorite travel companions, good food, and a heart for adventure. If you don’t know where to start, consider visiting the mitten state and explore the recommendations.

Remember, with any trip you plan, travel is a state of mind that can be enjoyed near or far. With a comfortable vacation rental and an interesting museum or two, you’ll find yourself having the best Spring Break you’ve ever imagined.

Good luck!

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