Staycation nation: Preparing for a school holiday like no other
The school summer holidays are fast approaching but this year things are set to be a little different due to the impact of Covid-19. Most of us are used to jetting off somewhere warm and sunny for a well-deserved family holiday, a prospect which seems even more inviting this year after a long three months of lockdown home schooling. Unfortunately, international travel is pretty much off the cards for summer 2020 but don’t fret – it’s time to swap your vacation for a staycation. This handy guide will help you bring the holiday home, so relax! You can still make some amazing summer memories by planning a perfect family staycation.
1.Turn hobbies into holiday fun
You might not realise it, but your homes are actually treasure troves of fun. Remember all the board games and puzzles gathering dust in the under-stairs cupboard? It’s time to rediscover some old favourites and get the kids enthused about playing – think adults vs kids in an ultimate Articulate showdown. 
Intersperse these with arts and crafts and games like hide and seek or dressing up box fashion shows for days’ worth of creative fun. We can’t always trust the Great British weather to be reliable even in summer, so these activities are great for a rainy day. Finish off with foreign-themed film nights (think Mamma Mia, Chocolat, The Italian Job, The Sound of Music) that everyone can enjoy and allow yourself to be virtually whisked away to these gorgeous locations.
2. Big up your back garden
One of the best parts of a holiday is the freedom to roam outside in the sun, whether that be on a campsite, on the deck of a cruise ship or on the beach. Turn your back garden into the ultimate holiday resort by getting everyone together for some fun activities like water fights, barbecues, treasure hunts, bat and ball and dining al fresco. If you want to go the whole hog, why not have a campout? Pitch your tent and sleep under the starry skies – forget that you have the luxury of beds and showers just a few metres away in the house – a back-garden campout requires commitment. Recreating a full-on camping holiday will make you feel you’ve had a break – of sorts! Invest in some beach towels (or sun loungers if you’re feeling extra) so you can lay out, sunbathe, relax and read and you’ll forget that you’re lying next to a paddling pool rather than a hotel pool.
3. Be tactical and practical
To ensure your staycation doesn’t end in tears, it’s important to realise that a UK summer is not without hazards – everything from sunstroke to slips and trips in the mud, depending on the whims Great British Weather! So, a rudimentary “first aid kit” – SPF 30+ sunscreen and plasters at the very least – is always advisable. Even at home, you have to be careful – public enemy no1 for back garden shenanigans are bugs like mosquitoes, bees, wasps, hornets, horseflies, and even ants particularly if you’re camping out overnight. So, it’s essential to have help on hand immediately if you happen to get stung or bitten. To soothe any itching, pain or swellings caused by insect bites and stings try bite away® – it’s a completely chemical-free, re-usable treatment, that relieve symptoms in just two minutes! The concentrated heat technology triggers a response in the body when applied directly to the skin, providing effective relief from the first application. Pocket-sized and boasting a long battery life, it’s easy to keep bite away® with you on any staycation. 
Once you’ve got the health and safety elements ticked off, don’t forget to invest in the other essential items necessary to carry off the perfect staycation. Make a checklist for items like a barbecue, water guns, a ping pong set, a tent, sleeping bags, towels, sunhats, anoraks, blankets, fairy lights, deck chairs and an outdoor dining set.
4. Cook up a storm
Wherever you normally go abroad, a firm favourite part of the trip for everyone is discovering delicious cuisine from a different culture. There’s no reason why you can’t bring some exotic tastes to your own dining room – it’s time to ditch your usual weekday meals in favour of holiday classics like paella, souvlaki, pizza or savoury crêpes.
Tip: get the whole family involved in the cooking to make it fun and stress-free, with the added benefit of teaching the kids some valuable domestic skills for later in life. These are the perfect dishes to serve al fresco in your garden, but on a rainy day why not turn your hand to baking – this will provide great snacks for any staycation movie nights. Simple and fun recipes with delicious outcomes include brownies, fairy cakes, rocky roads and chocolate chip cookies.
5. Venture into the Great British Outdoors
Now that some of the lockdown measures have been relaxed, part of your staycation can involve visiting some of the UK’s amazing coastal, rural and urban locations, perfect for all the family to enjoy a socially-distanced day out. After such an extended period in lockdown, many of us are discovering a new appreciation for the Great British Outdoors (66% of us according to a new survey commissioned by bite away®) whether that be an increased interest in nature or becoming more fit and active. Whether you’re headed to the seaside to swim and sunbathe, or off to the hills for a hike, it’s important to be kitted out in the right clothing for the occasion. A sturdy backpack to carry the day’s supplies is an absolute must, along with flat comfy shoes like walking boots or trainers. As the British weather is wonderfully varied, the smart thing to do is prepare for all eventualities – think layers and anoraks as well as sunhats and shorts. And you’ll never go wrong with an umbrella in this country! Well, maybe not on a hiking expedition… Don’t forget your first aid kit and plenty of water. And the beauty of a staycation is that after an action-packed day out you can return home to continue the holiday fun well into the evening!
