The best family staycation: ideas for summer at home!

Summer is officially holiday season! And while many are drawn to faraway places, more and more people are spending that quality time together within the UK or simply at home, within their own four walls. This trend has a name: staycation. It is made up of the word "stay" and the suffix "-cation" from vacation.

There are many reasons to choose a staycation. The cost of international travel, because you’ve just welcomed a new baby, because life with children feels easier with home comforts on hand, or just because home is where you want to be. Whether you’re visiting somewhere new or staying home here are a few ideas for a fun-filled family staycation

The redesign: a child-friendly oasis at home

Kids only! A separate play area for the little ones in the house 

If you haven't already reserved a corner in your living room or the room you spend the most time in for your little one and their toys, then do it now if you can. If this play area is well and clearly organised, your toddler will be more inclined to play there for longer. And your nerves will also be spared if your shared living area is not completely lost in chaos. Experts repeatedly emphasise how quickly a child can become overstimulated by too much choice AND how quickly parental nerves can be strained if everything is just lying around everywhere.

Here are a few tips on how to create a clear and inviting play area:

1. Sort toys and craft supplies: Use baskets, shelves and storage boxes for toys and craft supplies. These should be well sorted and easily accessible for your child.
2. Consider a “toy rotation”: This is where you swap out the toys every week so that your child doesn't lose interest. Assign the toys to specific categories such as "Role play", "Building", "Painting & crafts". Select a maximum of three toys per category and put the rest aside for the weekly swap.
3. Donate what you don’t use: Keep an eye out for any toys your child/ren play with less and consider donating or selling them.
4. Borrow toys: Children’s interests can change quickly so consider borrowing / renting toys instead.There are special online platforms for this but libraries often offer the option of borrowing not only books and DVDs but also toys and interactive educational games for free.
5. Integrate sensory toys/play materials: Sensory play is absolutely essential for development. That's why sand, water and materials like play dough (all taste-safe for younger babies) should also have their place in the play corner. How about a sensory box, for example, where you can let your little one discover different textures, colours and objects? A play table with storage containers hidden under the removable table top is ideal for this.

A safe play area on the balcony, patio or in the garden

If you have the space and the opportunity at home, stock up your outdoor area with activities for your staycation. Because playing outside is important for babies and toddlers of all ages.

Here are our ideas for a safe and fun outdoor play area:

1. Choose age-appropriate outdoor toys and activities: Things like a paddling pool, slide, sandpit, mud kitchen and ride-on toys such as a rocking horse, cars/trikes, or bouncy animals are all great choices. These items not only encourage your toddlers to move around, but also to play creatively and imaginatively.
2. Secure your play area: For example, make sure that it is fenced off and that there are no dangers for your children e.g. poisonous plants, garden tools and any other objects with the potential to cause injury) Use sun cream (from 6mo), sun sails or parasols and sun hats to protect your child from the sun. And as soon as there is water involved, someone should always supervise. 
3. Have a safe space for smaller children: With the help of a stroller, baby carrier or baby bouncer, then even the smallest siblings can join in the outdoor fun. With an Ergobaby baby carrier, you have both hands free for the older one/s, while keeping baby close to you. The Ergobaby Omni Breeze baby carrier is ideal for summer as it is made of breathable mesh material for maximum airflow. You can also easily take our bouncer outside. The Evolve 3-in-1 Bouncer in mesh is ideal for summer temperatures, as its mesh material keeps your little one nice and cool, even when it gets a little warmer. It gives your littlest one a great view of the outdoor fun.

Fun and cool water-based activities for a family staycation at home

Water play is one of the best kinds of activities for children. Especially in summer. They have fun and cool off at the same time. That's why they are an essential part of a family staycation at home with a child. Here are a few ideas for fun water games (please remember children should always be supervised around water):

1. Set up a paddling pool or water slide: Fill a paddling pool with water and you're ready to go. Your little one will love splashing around in it. The same applies to the water slide.
2. DIY lawn sprinkler: You can easily make a small lawn sprinkler if you don't already have one. Simply take a plastic bottle and drill a few small holes in it. Then insert the garden hose and turn on the water. The excited screaming and splashing can begin!
3. A baby bouncer for small babies: It's best to place young babies in a baby bouncer in the shade. This way, they can take part in the fun at a safe distance and protected from the sun's rays. However, please never place the bouncer in water including in a paddling pool. If you want to cool your baby down, offer them frozen breast milk or (if they are over 6-months-old / have started complementary foods) frozen fruit in a food/fruit feeder. They can then suck on it and cool down a little.
4. Fun in the bathtub: If you don’t have room for a paddling pool then a bathtub can be used for water fun too! Make it fun with a little food colouring or turn off the lights and throw a few LED glow sticks into the water. Your kids will love it!

On the run from the heat: indoor fun for a family staycation

If it gets too hot (or rainy!) outside, these indoor activities could keep your little one busy:

1. Indoor scavenger hunt: Organise a simple scavenger hunt using toys and household items you have on hand. Come up with a few simple clues and have a small prize ready at the end.
2. Colouring and craft lessons without the mess: Get creative and "colour" water colouring books or create sticker art. Maybe you can even set up a special painting corner - with paper, washable pens or paint sticks and wax crayons. A simple easel or flip chart is a great way to contain their artistic designs.
3. DIY indoor fun from the internet: You can find numerous DIY ideas on the internet and social media for simple activities at home that add a great fun factor. Many influencers post their ideas online.

Themed days and activities: family staycation style

A day at the beach

Simply transform your garden or balcony into a beach paradise for the duration of your staycation:

1. Make a beach-themed sensory box: fill a large container with sand, shells, sea toys (sea animals etc.) and some water.
2. Beach artwork and exotic seaside snacks: You can paint a few shells, get some beach-themed colouring books or “paint” with glue then sprinkle on some sand. Then add snacks such as fish or shell-shaped cookies and exotic fruit skewers.

Garden camping

Camping is a great adventure for your little ones. So why not create that camping feeling in your own garden (or living room in bad weather)?

1. Create a cosy campsite: Set up a tent and furnish it with lots of cushions and blankets. A few pretty fairy lights will add a magical touch to your camping adventure.
2. Campfire snacks and stories: grab a small portable barbecue and toast some marshmallows or go the extra mile and make some tasty ‘smores’. You can also tell exciting campfire stories and sing a few songs together.  

Summer toddler snacks and drinks

Nutritious and refreshing snack ideas

These nutritious snacks for in-between meals will give your kids energy and provide a cooling effect:

1. Homemade popsicles: Puree some fruit of your choice (e.g. berries or mango) and mix with some fruit juice (preferably with no added sugar). Pour the fruit and juice mix into a ready-made mould and place it in the freezer. Yum!
2. Frozen yoghurt bites with fresh fruit: Spread some yoghurt onto tin foil on a baking tray. Sprinkle over some chopped fruit (and anything else you like). Then put it  in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat it, take it out and break it into pieces for a delicious snack for young and old.

Drinking tips for hot summer days with a child

Your toddlers need to drink enough, especially in the summer heat (babies under 12mo likely do not need extra water as milk is still their main source of fluids). But some children are more resistant to this than others. So here are a few  tips on how you can playfully provide your child with enough fluids.

1. Be creative when drinking water: use fun and colourful cups and straws that will surprise your kids. Enrich the water with fruit such as berries or lemon to add a little flavour.
2. Homemade drinks with electrolytes: Mix a simple electrolyte drink from water, a pinch of salt and a dash of natural fruit juice. This will help keep your kids hydrated as they run around.
3. Ice lollies such as the homemade ones above also count!

Creating memories: documenting summer staycations

Tips for preserving the magical moments of your family staycation

Capture the magic of your staycation with these tips:

1. Photograph real and authentic moments: Use natural light and get down to eye level with your toddler to get the best pictures. Concentrate on spontaneous situations rather than posed photos.
2. Keep a summer staycation diary or scrapbook: Document what you have experienced every day - the little funny everyday moments but also the day's highlights. Use photos, drawings and notes to create a little treasure trove of memories. With a Polaroid camera, or small printer you can print the pictures directly and stick them in.
3. Let your toddler use the camera: Get a disposable camera and let your children capture their very own special moments. It's really exciting and also a bit funny to see how they perceive the world around them. What do they see from their perspective and what do they think is so special that you should capture it on camera?

A family staycation - the most magical memories

Enriching, adventurous and magical - that's what a family staycation can be like. We hope that we have been able to give you a few ideas but what you do with them is up to you. And don’t put too much pressure on yourself. You don’t have to spend lots of money or come up with a new activity or adventure every day in order to have a great summer! Above all, try to enjoy the time you spend together. This is real quality time, which is all too often lost in everyday life. Besides, the real magic lies in the moments you experience and the memories you make together.