Labor Day Staycation – Fun Ideas for a Long Weekend At Home
Labor Day weekend is typically a bittersweet holiday marking the conclusion of summer. This means the end of bonfires, beach days, and barbecues. With the school year getting started, many families prefer to celebrate the long weekend by organizing a frugal staycation. Whether you’ve chosen a staycation because traveling isn’t in your budget this year, or you’re simply looking for some R&R, the following tips will help you enjoy your Labor Day weekend in the comfort of your own home.

1.    Complete DIY Home Improvements

Labor Day weekend is the perfect time to tackle the home improvement projects you’ve set aside in favor of summer fun. Rather than employing a contractor or handyman for tasks like changing the paint color of a room or deep cleaning your patio, use this weekend to complete these projects yourself.

Furthermore, consider hosting a ‘free labor’ day party and invite friends to lend a hand with your home improvements. You can share the “labor” and undertake the projects in your home on Saturday, carry them out in another friend’s home on Sunday, and another on Monday. This way, you get to have fun with friends while engaging in productive activity.

 

2.    Get Crafty

Utilize Pinterest and plan a few craft projects for you and your children to complete over the long weekend. At-home crafting is a fun activity which can boost kids’ creativity, build their self-confidence, and is the perfect opportunity to create lifelong memories. Spend time making paper flowers and dyeing them with food color, creating playdough, producing patriotic flags or jars, making pinwheels, and so on.

 

3.    Arrange for an Outdoor-Oriented Staycation

Simply because you’ll be spending your Labor Day weekend at home does not mean you should be confined to the indoors. Become a local tourist by exploring your hometown. Luckily, there are many free, or inexpensive, sites and attractions in the Pacific Northwest.

 

If you live near a lake, this could be your last chance to spend time surfing, paddle boarding, canoeing, kayaking, or just enjoying the breeze on the beach. If you are not near water, head to your local outdoor swimming pool and take time to unwind while swimming. Consider embarking on a nature walk through your nearest national park and soak in nature’s beauty before the cold weather sets in. If you enjoy walking, running, biking, or even horseback riding, there’s bound to be some beautiful trails near you.

 

As some national parks are not open during the fall and winter seasons, this is the perfect time to pitch a tent, build a campfire, and camp for a day or two at a nearby campsite. Do not be disappointed if you find the campgrounds too full for your liking. Creating a mini campsite right in your backyard allows you to enjoy a camping experience while having the comforts of home only a few steps away. This is a perfect way of introducing the camping concept to young ones.

 

4.    Host a Potluck Barbecue

Labor Day weekend is perhaps your last chance of the year to host an outdoor BBQ. Rather than preparing food for everyone, consider asking each person to bring a dish or beverage to the party. As the people you’ve invited are contributing to the success of the potluck, they’re bound to take their roles seriously and make the party the best it can be.

 

Although it is tempting to tell everyone to bring their favorite dish or beverage, a little coordination is necessary in order to avoid dish repeats. Assign different cuisines or courses to different people while keeping in mind invited guests with dietary restrictions. While you may want to try out a certain theme, try to stick with cuisines that have been tried and tested like hotdogs on the grill, pasta salad and s’mores.

 

Make your Labor Day potluck party even more appealing by planning activities like volleyball, a water balloon fight, charades, or an outdoor movie viewing.

 

5.    Plan a Relaxing Spa Day

If your idea of a perfect vacation includes some spa time, book a treatment at your favorite local spa. Go all out and get a massage experience you’ve never tried before. Many spas offer package deals and specials for the Labor Day holiday, so you can spend the whole day treating yourself without incurring the typical hefty costs.

If going to your favorite spa isn’t currently in your budget, consider turning your bathroom into a mini aromatherapy spa. While you’re at it, draw a warm bath and include essential oils such as chamomile, rose oil, lavender oil, or peppermint oil. Sink into the tub and enjoy the benefits of a calming and relaxing bath without having to leave the house.

 

6.    See a Show

Should the weather be not so agreeable, you may want to consider an indoor activity like going to the movies or a local theater production. Luckily, most theaters will still be showing top summer blockbuster movies. In addition, September is typically a big month for new movie releases. If you’re lucky enough to have access to local community theater, a well-staged play or musical could be just what you need for a night out with your family.

 

7.    Indulge in Binge-Watching or Reading

If you need a break from all your recent summer activities, consider hosting a family movie night. Pick a movie genre or theme, and line a few films up in your Netflix queue. Make sure you have a sufficient supply of your favorite movie snacks. Alternatively, if you’re looking for some quiet, curl up in your chaise lounge and binge-read a few best sellers.

 

Just like planning for a vacation, you should take some time to plan for a successful staycation. When you are at home and without a plan, it is easy to get sucked back into your normal routine of house chores and mindless TV viewing. Talk through your staycation strategy with everyone involved and come up with a plan for how you will relax, recharge, and have fun.