Making Safe Family Memories During a Pandemic

In the middle of a global pandemic, it can be challenging to plan a safe family vacation; however, many families are thinking creatively when it comes to ways to spend time together during school breaks and longer vacations. Whether it’s making the most of the family camper, traveling in a new RV, or creating the perfect staycation at home, these fun-loving families aren’t letting the pandemic prevent them from making travel memories. 

Fall activities you can do with your kids!

Road Trips

More families than ever are hitting the open road in converted vans, RVs, and fifth wheels. Traveling in self-contained mobile home vehicles is a great way to reduce exposure risk to COVID-19 or any other illness that comes upon us while seeing the country. If you and your family are suffering from a case of wanderlust, now might be the perfect time to rethink how you’re using your family van or camper.  Or if it would be worth renting one to have a little bit of fun!

To travel safely during the pandemic, consider destinations where you and your family members can make memories in the great outdoors. Exploring national parks and staying in campgrounds are great ways to experience new things in open spaces. 

Tip: Make sure to look online and see if there are any restrictions before heading out. You don’t want to forget your Covid shot record or mask if you can’t enter the areas without it.

Staycations

Adventure can be as near as your backyard. For those unaware, a staycation is a vacation at home. If you’ve been reading this blog for a bit you know we absolutely love backyard camping! The reality is that no matter how well you make your travel plans during a global pandemic, things can quickly change. One day the museum was open and the next it was closed for two weeks or more. For this reason, it’s a good idea to have a backup plan when it comes to your family’s vacation time. For many families, this has meant utilizing space at home in new ways and opting for a staycation.

Kids StayCation Ideas

• Be a Tourist– Have everyone pick a place or thing in town they want to do and do it. Have you ever not visited something in town? Now is the time to check it out.
• Go to Your Home Spa– My girls always loved a spa day. Buy everything needed the day before and then set it all up in the living room with a fun movie as you wait for those nails to dry. Have everyone take turns helping each oher out with their spa day.
• Backyard camping– The kids will love sleeping in the backyard in a tent under the stars and if they have to use the restroom all they have to do is run inside and not down the hill in the dark. Plus, they can tell spooky stories and if they get scared they can end up in their very own bed.
• Smores & Movie Night in the Backyard– This one does take a bit more as you need a projecter to watch the movie in your backyard but these days everyone can watch movies from their phone. Heat up the BBQ and roast smores and snuggle together in the tent after and watch holiday movies.
• Become a Chef for the Day– Pick something everyone can make and have fun in the kichen! For fun buy little chef hats for them. If you are crafty purchase their own mixing bowls/spoons and label them with their names.

Perhaps your children love playing outdoors and you’ve considered buying new playground equipment, putting in a sandbox, or even creating an outdoor oasis. Maybe you’re thinking about adding a pool to your backyard. The first step should be putting in a fence.

If your property is in need of a fence, you’re best off connecting with local contractors in your area. It’s always a good practice to do your own research before contacting a professional for a quote. (Tip: Thanks to the internet we get on our local FB page and ask who people recommend. This way you also find out who to avoid.) The cost of a fence can vary based on your location and the area that needs to be fenced. Other factors, such as the fence material itself, can impact the final cost. When the time comes to decide which contractor to use, you should always make sure that they are fully licensed.

Other Options

If you’ve had enough of being home and the idea of a staycation isn’t exactly how you hope to spend time with family, one of the best ways you can travel safely is to do it in small groups and call ahead to learn about a possible destination’s COVID policies. For example, consider staying at a small Airbnb versus a larger hotel to have a better chance of staying away from crowds.

Regardless of how you choose to spend your family vacation, the way you pack can help keep your family safer. Consider picking up travel-size sanitizers and masks before heading out on your adventure. Don’t forget about those travel kits for kids to help them fight the boredom blues or make your own!

Of course, you want to make sure that you dress for comfort, as well. Choose breathable garments that will keep up with you, whether you’re lounging or on the go. But if you are traveling during the Fall and Winter months you may want to grab some extra layers. This is especially important for nursing moms!

Happy Travels

While there are no guarantees during a global pandemic, thinking ahead and being open-minded could make a big difference. When in doubt, put in that fence as a backup plan for the perfect stay-home adventure. After all wouldn’t that fence be a fun project to do with the family!

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