10 Ways To Take Your Kids On Vacation Without Leaving The Home

Vacation doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be simple, and it can happen in your own backyard! Keep your kids happy and stay healthy this summer. Brought to you by MetaBiotic.

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1. Go on a Treasure Hunt

Directions Courtesy of Ilan Lewin / Via Thinkstock

Looking for an activity that won't cause a mess? Use this form to create your own treasure hunt by hiding clues and prizes throughout the house and backyard. Reward all participants with popsicles.

2. Paint Your Own Flowerpot

Courtesy of lollyjane.com

This quick and fun art project will provide you with decorative flowerpots for all of your plant needs! Get directions here, and feel free to mix up the theme of your flowerpot to fit the season and your child's mood.

3. Host a Board Game Tournament

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Invite the whole neighborhood over for an epic competition. Keep track of winners on a scoreboard and encourage cheering!

4. Make Glow-in-the-dark Jellyfish

Courtesy of Kirstin Therese / Via craftiments.com

All you need for this crafting project: paper bowls, yarn, and glow-in-the-dark acrylic paint, and you'll end up with a decoration that will make you feel as if you're always at sea. Get the simple instructions here.

5. Host an Outdoor Tea Party

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Take your coffee table outside and surround it with pillows from around the house. Let the kids sit on the pillows like royalty and serve them tea and cookies.

6. Get Creative With Pizza

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Grab some store-bought pizza dough and let the kids go wild! With your supervision, they can make their own and have fun arranging whatever toppings they choose.

7. Go Camping in the Backyard

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Switch off from the digital world and escape to your own backyard for a camping trip. Set up a tent, tell stories, and watch the stars... It will feel really special and, best of all, you won't have to get in the car once.

8. Make a Watermelon Shark

Directions Courtesy of Elaine Friedlander / Arnold Gatilao (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: arndog

This is a seriously entertaining snack. Learn how to make one here.

9. Make Your Own Sidewalk Chalk

Directions Courtesy of Mariah Bruehl / Via Thinkstock

Sidewalk chalk is an easy way to get creative, and you can make your own using simple ingredients you probably already have. Decorate the concrete in your yard with a hopscotch court for hours of fun, or let out your inner artist and create sidewalk murals.

10. Create a Homemade Sprinkler

Courtesy of Rebekah Hoffer / Via simplyrebekah.com

Getting hot? Turn cooling off into its own activity by making a soda bottle sprinkler. Get directions here and look forward to hours of crafting and cooling fun.

While the kids are playing, don't forget to DIY. Brought to you by MetaBiotic.*

Adult supervision is required for these activities and parents should ensure any materials used are age appropriate for their child.