Are you tired, overworked, exhausted, and in need of a vacation? Everyone loves them. They’re refreshing and energizing, but unfortunately, they can be expensive. That’s why you need a staycation! Cut out all the major expenses of a vacation while still reaping all the benefits!
Here are 4 staycation ideas that’ll rejuvenate you and your whole family, while creating fun memories that’ll last a lifetime: 

1. Discover New Hobbies Together

Have you ever wanted to learn a new skill or hobby but have never gotten around to it? Why not do it now with your kids?! Discovering a new hobby is a great way to invest in yourself and your child. You can explore new things together while creating fun memories. Developing these new skills can give you and your child something to look forward to doing together. It can energize your weekly schedule from the boring grind. Learning a new hobby or skill together can spark fun conversations that strengthen your bond. 

2. Host a Family Cooking Night

As parents, we desire to see our kids succeed in life and have fun while doing it. Teaching valuable life skills doesn’t have to be boring! Host a family cooking night where your kids can be the chef. Guide them in all the basics of cooking from washing vegetables to dinner clean-up. A family cooking night not only teaches your child important life skills, but it can also help them discover a new skill that they’d like to explore more. 

Additional Note: This idea may require some prep time from you. Pick a meal(s) beforehand that your family will love and have age-appropriate skills. If your recipe or evening doesn’t turn out as planned, it’ll be ok. Some of the best memories arise from the unexpected. A kitchen mishap might become your next family inside joke. 

3. Beat the Heat with Water Tag

Grab your super soaker and prepare for battle! Beat the heat in a fun game of water tag. Invite friends and family over to witness this great battle. As a contestant, you’ll love getting to show the kiddos who’s boss with your expert tag skills. If you’re a spectator, enjoy the laughs, cheer your heart out, or enjoy the personal space. It’s up to you! Either way, your family will love beating the heat with WaterTag. 

Additional Idea: Set up objects for kids to hide and take cover behind. Create special matches such as boys vs girls, capture the flag, parents vs. kids, and others. OR click here to see if your local GameTruck franchise will come out and run a WaterTag event for you! (yes, many of our franchises do WaterTag events!)

4. Relieve the Past with Retro Game Night

Whether you were a master detective with Clue or a Mario fanatic, give your kids a glimpse into your childhood with this staycation idea. Pick a board, card, or video game that you played as a child and introduce it to your family. Your children will get to discover a cool, new-to-them game, while you relive your childhood memories with your favorite people. Who knows, maybe you’ll start your next family tradition. 

Want us to deliver the games and fun? Click here and book a retro video game party your family will love.

These family staycation ideas are a sure way to get some family rest while also having fun! A staycation is a great alternative or addition to a vacation. They can spark new conversations, create new memories, develop life skills, and deepen your bonds as a family. 

If you’re looking for more staycation ideas and inspiration, check out our article on “Creating Memorable Staycations for Your Family.” It’s filled with additional tips and suggestions to make your family staycation truly remarkable.

Remember, you don’t have to travel far to create amazing memories with your loved ones. Embrace the joy of staycations and enjoy quality time together right at home.

Nintendo Switch Sports was released on Friday and let me tell you, it doesn’t disappoint! If any of you played Wii Sports, the original game that came when you purchased your Wii back in the day then you will absolutely love Nintendo Switch Sports.

(And yes, if you’re not careful, you might even break a TV screen or two)

My two kids (ages 6 and 8) and I were up for close to 4 hours playing together, laughing, learning, and loving every minute of it! One of the coolest aspects of the game is a feature that usually sets Nintendo apart from the rest, anyone can pick up the controller and play.

Both my children had no trouble picking things up and even beating me in a few matches (something I do not let them do if I can help it). It’s awesome how this game puts every participant on equal footing and delivers excitement in the process.

Here is a breakdown of the games you can play and how the gameplay works in each game:

Volleyball

A classic take on a classic game. Volleyball makes you feel like you are out on a sandy beach in California. Using your single Joy-Con controller, you can use the bump motion to bump the ball to your opponent, where the CPU or a live person sets it (if a live person, they make the set motion) and then you can jump up by lifting your forearm up and spike it by slamming it down again. My children went wild for this game as they won a couple of matches together against me and the computer.

Bowling

This version of bowling is very similar to the Wii Sports version except the controller is much more steady, accurate, and reliable. It is highly recommended that you wear your wrist strap for every one of these games, but especially this one as it is very possible for the Joy-Con to fly out of your hands as you make the bowling motion. I really loved playing this with the kids and this was by far their favorite – I think we played 8 or 9 games together. Once they got the hang of it, they had the most success with this game (and talked a ton of trash to me as they threw strikes). I really loved how you could twist your wrist to make the ball spin and the ability to position your throw anywhere in the lane. That feature made it super realistic!

Soccer

We played all out 4 on 4 soccer, and it was as glorious as it sounds. This game was truly awesome! We didn’t have the leg piece where you can run and kick but even just using your hands made this feel like a real-life soccer match. You can choose how many players to play either 1 vs 1 or 4 vs 4 and then you use the Joy-Cons to kick the ball, head the ball and direct the ball where you want it to go. This game felt like Rocket League without the cars. Really also loved the golden ball (which doubles the number of points) and the celebration movements after scoring a goal.

Badminton

Grab your Joy-Con and swing it in the air like you just don’t care! This game requires patience, concentration, and supple wrists. With just a wrist flick you can really hit that birdie anywhere you’d like! I really enjoyed teaching my kids how to play this game that I used to play at Grandma’s house back in the day. Within minutes, they were flicking and slashing the bird back and forth on the screen which made for some interesting, fun, and exciting volleys. This might be the most underrated game of all the games in the pack.

Chambara

A fencing game where you can duel with others from a platform above the water. You can choose a single, non-electric charged sword, a charged sword, and two swords. You play by holding the Joy-Con like a sword and using it to block/thrust your way to victory. As a former actor and non-professional fencer (I learned to fence in a fight scene in an opera once). I had some previous knowledge of how the moves would work. My kids didn’t really stand much of a chance and after the third or fourth time they were dunked into the water, they were ready to move on. I really loved this game. It’s a different flavor and gives you a cool, motion-based sword game that normally you wouldn’t find on the Switch. The only downside is only 2 players can play at the same time.

Tennis

Last but not least, my kids and I played some doubles tennis. A few features that stood out to me here were the ability to power serve (which my daughter mastered quickly) and the ability to lob/backhand with ease. I found it fascinating how accurate the Joy-Con picked up on my wrist movements. By the end of the match, I was teaching my son the different ways to swing his arm/wrist. He was playing like a pro. This version of tennis is another game we played for over an hour (but seemed like 15 minutes).

So, to wrap things up, Nintendo Switch Sports is AWESOME. I highly recommend it for any sized family. Once you pick it up, you will be playing together and having fun for hours. This game would be totally cool as a birthday present, family fun night activity, or a reward for a job well done. Whatever the reason, pick this game up now. And if you have kids, play these games with them, and enjoy every single moment of it.

Check out more blogs like this here!

The Nintendo Switch offers so many awesome games in their eshop, that sometimes it’s tough to pick just one, especially with all the deals they have flying around. With so much variety, sometimes family games you can play with your kids are hard to find. Our team did a deep dive into the coolest, fun-filled games for both adults and your younger ones.

Here are the top 5 Nintendo Switch games you’ll love playing with your kids:

Super Mario Party

Packed with action where you can play Nintendo’s version of a classic board game. Super Mario Party is a game where you can play together or duke it out solo to become the Super Mario Party Super Star. This game is awesome on so many levels with mini-games you can play for days and not get bored. I started playing this with my kiddos when they were four and six years old and our battles continue years later. One memory I will never forget is when we all played the rowing game and had to work together as a team to get to the end of the course where to our pleasant surprise a certain original Nintendo character was waiting for us and joined our party!

Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe

Here is an outstanding game that will bring you back to your youth. Play as Mario, Luigi, Toad, or Toadette (who becomes Princess Peach with a special powerup) and work together to battle Bowser’s foes in this semi-open world, action-packed game. My kids and I play this game together often and my daughter LOVES getting the PINK crown playing as Toadette, as she transforms into Princess Peach and hovers through the air ala Super Mario 2. Awesome gameplay, super cool characters, amazing levels – highly recommend!

Mario Kart Deluxe 8

You can’t go wrong with any Mario Kart editions throughout Nintendo’s history, but since we are talking about Switch games, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe 8 must be on this list. From the moment you pick up your joy-con, to the bananas you throw on the track to that final blue or red shell you toss to nail your opponent just before they cross the finish line, so many memories are made playing this game. My kids and I play all sorts of game modes on this title, from classic racing to battle mode and each time we play, something new happens throughout our races. Check out the expansion tracks, just added this year – so amazing!

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Another classic title for the Nintendo Switch, Super Smash Bros Ultimate is an awesome addition to our family playlist. You start by selecting from a list of classic Nintendo characters to fight with and before you know it, you’re drop-kicking, punching, and summoning special characters to help you battle it out before losing all your stocks. This game is pure excitement and offers an amazing variety of characters that all have unique skill sets. Sometimes I just sit on my chair, relaxing in the living room when suddenly I will hear my daughter “Daddy? You want to play Smash?” How can I say no? Let’s GO!

Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics

With 51 games to choose from, Nintendo turns your console and living room into your local clubhouse (minus the pool). Choose from a variety of pasty nostalgic games from foosball to ludo to war, there is something for everyone playing Clubhouse 51 Games. My kids and I love the toy baseball game and bowling (which plays like bowling from Wii Sports). Every now and then, I let them win. hahaha. Not really! 😊

There you have it! So, the next time you hear the words “I’m bored” sit your kids down, grab a joy-con and start teaching them a lesson in gaming they will never forget. Or they will teach you. Either way, you all will have a tremendous time, together!