Staycations have grown in popularity in recent years. From people forced to vacation closer to wanting to explore the local area, many have discovered just how much there is to enjoy on their doorstep. If you’ve yet to experience a staycation but are planning on it in the near future, you’ll want to make sure you pack all the essentials.

A sturdy bag

Whether your staycation is a long weekend or an entire week, you’ll need a decent bag to carry everything in. You’ll want something that’s high quality which you can re-use for future trips, whether they be near home or abroad. The ideal qualities to look for in something like this are durability and waterproofing, though something that’s also on-trend won’t hurt. If you make the right decision, your bag should become a valuable companion for many years to come.

Suitable clothing

The United States is a big place, so what might be typical weather in one state could be completely different in another. It’s worth thinking about where you’ll be staying and what the area is known for, so you can pack the appropriate clothes. If it’s wet for most of the year, bring plenty of rain gear. Conversely, if it’s usually pretty hot, have a lot of shorts and t-shirts. Make sure to still pack a variety, though, because unexpected weather can always occur.

Rainy day games

When you book a vacation in advance, you never have the guarantee that the weather will be good. You might be unlucky enough to go during the one week of the year when it’s miserable outside. Fortunately, there are ways to ensure this doesn’t ruin your staycation. Board games are an excellent choice, with Monopoly, Scrabble, Clue, Battleships, and The Game of Life all great fun. Hopefully, they won’t cause any arguments, but what’s a vacation without the occasional falling out?

Picnic essentials

Provided the weather’s reasonable, a picnic is always a good idea on a staycation. It allows you to enjoy your surroundings with plenty of good food and even better company. You’ll want to ensure you have all the essentials packed, including blankets and a hamper to carry things on. You’ll also need the picnic ingredients themselves. What you pack there really depends on your personal tastes, though.

Portable barbecue

Something else that’s a good idea if the weather’s nice outside is a barbecue. Most home units aren’t easy to transport on a staycation, though, and there’s no assurance your accommodation will have one. Thankfully, portable barbecues exist, so it’s never too much hassle to get a barbecue going when it’s sunny outside. You can eat all the burgers, hot dogs, and vegetarian alternatives that your heart – and stomach – desire.

A staycation might seem like a disappointing way to spend a break when you’re used to going abroad. However, it can be just as fun as an international vacation – maybe even more so – as long as you know how to enjoy yourself. Having all the essentials at your disposal should definitely help with that.