Woman seated beside a brick fire pit beneath a warmly illuminated timber pavilion at twilight.

8 Tips to Plan the Perfect Family Staycation

To plan the perfect family staycation, unplug from work and screens, set a goal, plan a few activities, change the daily routine, and treat your own town and backyard like a destination. A shaded outdoor space at home makes it easy to slow down and spend real time together, without the cost of travel.

Family relaxing by a stone fireplace under a lit timber pergola at dusk, with city lights in the valley below
An evening together by the fire.

Key Takeaways

  • Unplug: step away from work, email, and social media
  • Plan, but not too much: mix activities with downtime
  • Stay local: explore your own town like a visitor
  • Use the backyard: a shaded outdoor room makes home the getaway

How Do You Start a Family Staycation?

1. Unplug From Most of the World

A real staycation means stepping back from whatever takes up most of your time, such as work, social media, or volunteering. Let people know you will be away, take time off work, and set an automatic email reply.

Dark timber pergola over a quiet paver patio with lounge chairs on a green lawn in a Wisconsin neighborhood
A quiet place to unplug.

2. Set a Goal

A staycation is a chance to do things you have not had time for. Pick a project or hobby, like adding to the backyard landscape or teaching a younger family member to swim. If you take on a big project, plan fun activities and downtime around it, so it still feels like a vacation and not a work project to recover from.

Gabled timber pavilion over an outdoor kitchen with grills at the edge of a sparkling backyard swimming pool
Pool days at home.

What Should a Family Staycation Include?

3. Eat Out Some, and Eat Outside

Without hotel and travel costs, it is easier to try a new restaurant. It is just as fun to cook outside and eat together on the patio.

Gray timber arbor with string lights over an outdoor kitchen bar with stools and two grills in California
An outdoor kitchen ready for guests.

4. Plan Some Activities

Sometimes the vacation is right in your own backyard: a barbecue with family, an outdoor movie, or games on the lawn. Add a trip to a local pool or water park, or a picnic in the park. Not every activity has to cost money. A hike or games in a field are free.

White timber pavilion with string lights over a family eating at a patio table next to a grill on the lawn
Dinner and a barbecue at home.

5. Find Good Deals

Look online for group deals and coupons on activities and dining.

Gabled timber pavilion with arched braces over a patio dining set and outdoor kitchen on a sunny afternoon
Lunch in the shade.

How Do You Make a Staycation Feel Like a Real Getaway?

6. Tour Your Own Town

Hotels and local visitor centers have coupon books and brochures full of local ideas and attractions. Booking a night in a nearby city can feel like a trip without the cost of traveling far.

Cedar timber pavilion with stone column bases and a grill, looking out over open fields near Park City, Utah
Views worth staying home for.

7. Change the Routine

Sleep in, eat breakfast in bed, or stay up late for a movie, whatever feels like letting your hair down. Try something new or something you loved in the past, like paddle boats, horseback riding, a local play, biking, tennis, or a ropes course.

White timber pergola glowing with string lights at dusk over sofas and a fire table outside a family home
Late nights under the lights.

8. Make Home the Getaway

However you spend your staycation, the most important thing is a mental and physical break with the people you love. A comfortable, shaded outdoor room makes it easy to step outside and enjoy it every day.

Timber pavilion lit with lanterns at night beside a crackling fire pit, with a dining set and brick columns
A backyard getaway by the fire.

Questions About Planning a Family Staycation

What is a staycation?

A staycation is a vacation spent at or near home. Instead of traveling, the family takes time off to rest, play, and explore close by.

How do you make a staycation feel like a real vacation?

Step away from work and screens, change the daily routine, and plan a few special activities, with plenty of downtime in between.

What are cheap staycation ideas?

Backyard barbecues, outdoor movie nights, hikes, picnics in a park, and games in a field cost little or nothing.

How can the backyard become a staycation spot?

Shade makes the difference. A pergola or pavilion over the patio gives the family a comfortable place to eat, relax, and stay outside into the evening.

How long should a staycation be?

Any length works. Even a long weekend away from the usual routine can feel refreshing.

Western Timber Frame has designed, handcrafted, and delivered more than 7,000 outdoor structures in all 50 states since 2008. See timber pergolas and timber pavilions, or request a free design consultation and call 877-870-8755.

Western Timber Frame™ — Payson, Utah | Since 2008 | 7,000+ structures in all 50 states
2026 SBA Manufacturing Award | HGTV Design Excellence Award | 28 Best of State Awards

Content Writer, Architectural Photographer & Outdoor Living Author, Western Timber Frame

Marilynn Thompson is a content writer, architectural photographer, and outdoor living author at Western Timber Frame™, where she specializes in custom timber pergolas, pavilions, gazebos, and heavy timber construction. Since joining the company, she has helped document thousands of custom projects through technical research, homeowner interviews, jobsite photography, and educational articles that explain complex building concepts in clear, practical language.

Her work combines engineering research with real-world project experience, covering topics such as structural design, building permits, installation, timber species, joinery, maintenance, and outdoor living design. She regularly collaborates with Western Timber Frame's designers, engineers, and project specialists to ensure every article reflects current building practices and accurate technical information.

As the company's architectural photographer, Marilynn has photographed custom timber structures across the United States, documenting how they perform in different climates, landscapes, and architectural styles. Her writing is informed not only by research, but by conversations with homeowners and business owners who have lived with these structures for years.

Her goal is simple: to help homeowners understand the decisions behind a custom timber structure so they can build with confidence, not guesswork.

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