Sustainable Staycations : How to Holiday at Home

With the price of basic utilities skyrocketing and inflation at an all time high, taking a vacation may be out of financial reach for some of us. Flights and accommodation fees are not a priority, never mind the ecological consequences and carbon emissions involved with aviation.

In the face of rising costs, the 'staycation' has become a popular trend. Referring to holidaying in ones own state or country, or the act of taking multiple day trips, staycations save transit time, money and ensures pets are accommodated too.

Here's how to holiday at home:

Do day trips: By far the cheapest way to take a family holiday, day trips in your own town or city are just as fun as going foreign. Curate a list of cool activities and be a tourist in your own town! Choose public transport or walk to cut down on your environmental output.

Quick campout: Pitch a tent in your own garden and mimic the wilderness with campfire songs and games. Ideal for small kids as the house is readily accessible. Low impact camping means no damage to wildlife and no packing required, just don't forget the marshmallows!

Fun with Friends: Invite friends and cousins to join your staycation. The more the merrier when you are not travelling too far. Having other adults around adds another layer to the holiday dynamic. Its your staycation too so relax and enjoy it. Fire up the BBQ!

Pack in, pack out: Picnics and packed snacks for activities means staying in control of children’s nutritional needs while saving money. Packing food waste home means easy, accountable recycling. Reducing dependence on public facilities is great for your ecological footprint.

Act Adventurous: Step outside your comfort zone. Whether its sea swimming at a local cove, artistic activities like painting or pottery or even a DIY cooking class for the children, try something exciting and low impact together. Don’t forget to take far too many photographs!

Chill out: If you choose to return to your home at the end of each staycation day, leave the housework on hold. Vacations are important for relieving stress, relaxing and building family relationships. Pick up a drink, a book or both. Those irritating chores will have to wait.

Consider the carbon emissions saved by not flying, fees and taxes not spent and the extortionate price of hotels you dodged. While the children will always remember the brilliant trip to the zoo, you'll recall their faces as they explored their own hometown for the first time!

So, if you are itching to go adventuring, to make new family memories, have some fun and do a little exploring, consider embarking on an affordable, sustainable staycation. Your wallet, and the planet, will thank you for it!