Vacation plans may have come to a halt, but the ability to enjoy the wonders of the world only takes a little creativity and imagination. We have compiled some great ways to make the most out of this time at home to inspire your imagination.
Plan a ‘stay home-cation’
Switch things up at home and plan some fun activities that the whole family will enjoy. There are plenty of ways to get your family in to the traveling state-of-mind even from home. Start by choosing a different destination across the world each day. Reminisce on some of your favorite vacation activities and recreate them at home. We have a few ideas to get you started!
Think of activities to get your children involved, for a day in Mexico, you may consider creating a piñata at home with any supplies you have on hand. Use a cardboard box as your base and glue on colored paper or have the kids draw on the box to create a design of their own. Fill an empty water bottle with beads or rocks to create home-made maracas and have a fiesta right in your living room.
For a day in Italy, create a masterpiece that would make Michelangelo proud. Have your children create a pasta collage from dry pasta, glue and paper. For the explorer in your family, talk about science while you create a homemade gondola from cardboard or a plastic bottle. Finish the day creating a delicious Italian meal and teaching your kids some words in Italian such as Gratzi.
Devote a day to Japan and try your hand at creating an origami butterfly or dinosaur. Once you have mastered the art of origami, try finger-painting to mimic Japans beautiful cherry blossoms that bloom in the spring. If you are feeling up to it, try your hand at home made sushi or fried rice using any leftover vegetables from your refrigerator or freezer.
Explore the world has to offer from your couch
See all of the beautiful sights the world has to offer without leaving your sofa. Museums, zoos and parks across the world have opened their virtual doors to allow people to have the opportunities to explore without leaving their homes.
Google Arts & Culture teamed up with over 2,500 museums and galleries around the world to bring virtual tours and exhibits online. The collection includes the British Museum in London, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, the Guggenheim in New York City, and hundreds of other places where you can gain knowledge about art, history, and science.
Take a virtual tour to experience the glaciers, fjords, and icebergs located in the Alaskan wilderness at Kenai Fjords National Park. This virtual tours allow you to descend into icy crevasse and kayak through majestic icebergs. Warm things up by virtually flying over an active volcano or touring caves formed by flowing lava in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Finally, skip the seaplane and take a virtual tour of Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida. This tour allows you to explore Civil War-era Fort Jefferson, swim through the third largest coral reef in the world, and even take an exploratory dive into a shipwreck from 1907.
Create a camping oasis
For those avid campers out there, put your gear to use. With a little imagination you can make your backyard or living room the perfect campsite oasis.
Create your cozy camping palace in your living room by pitching your tent or creating your own blanket tent. Include lots of comfy pillows and blankets to accompany your sleeping bag. Roast marshmallows for s’mores over the flame of a gas stove or make try making a typical camping recipe with some at home adjustments. Turn off the lights, turn on the lantern and enjoy a board game in the tent.
If you are able to safely camp outside, choose to spend time outdoors without having to pack and lug the camp gear to your car. Set up your tent and some string lights in your backyard to create the perfect outdoor setting for your camping adventure. Spark a campfire outside with a fire pit and connect by telling your favorite ghost stories or camping memories.
With all the stress of our current condition we all need to spend as much time as we can doing things that feel normal. Thinking outside of the box and creating new memories with your family may be the answer to easing your mind and feeling refreshed for adventures in the future.