Make The Most of Where You Live content provided by Mom With a Map Staff Writer
You don’t need to travel far or spend a lot of money to have a great time with your family. Your local area is full of things to do! With rising travel costs and airport delays, many families are choosing a “staycation.” Here are some tips to make the most of where you live.
Visit Your National Parks
No matter where you live, your state, region, or country will have national parks. You’re never too far away from a stunning national park like Yellowstone in the United States, the Forest of Dean in the UK, or Donana in Spain.
National Parks are typically open all year round and are free. So unless they’re undergoing some kind of restoration or project, you can have outdoor fun throughout the seasons. However, many are surrounded by retail, such as restaurants and attractions. And these are typically pricey, so take some extra cash for food and souvenirs.
Volunteer to Make the Most of Where You Live
If you are in a position to help others, you can enrich the lives of your family, yourself, and anyone you help. Volunteering for services such as helping the homeless and abused children or even volunteer fire and police is a great way to give something back to your community.
You might not feel like you make much of a difference. But to that one person who gets a blanket that night or the child whose hand you take in reassurance, it makes a massive difference. Additionally, you relieve some pressure from the full-time staff who work 24/7 helping others.
Get Involved with Your Kids’ School
Another great way to get involved with your community is to offer your services to your children’s schools. The school community is like no other because you get an inside look and slight influence on what your kids are exposed to. PTA meetings, for example, are there to work with parents and support teachers. In addition, you can bring up future education, annual plans, and safety concerns. Given the tragic events at too many schools across the United States and certain other countries, you can play a role in helping make your school community safer.
Explore Your Local Area
There are wonders all around you if you are willing to look. You might think you live in a boring town where nothing ever happens. And that might be true. But sometimes you have to seek the adventure because it won’t seek you. No matter where you live, you’re never too far from these:
- Nature trails.
- Coastal areas.
- Inner city parks.
- Retail malls.
- Museums and historic sites.
You might be lucky enough to live close to some of these yet never had the thought to explore them. Sure, nature trails and coastal spots might not have exciting attractions. But you will see animals, plant life and stunning views. Kids love these, they learn something, and they’re free.
Visit Your Capital City
Everyone should visit their capital at least once. Of course, you have state capitals in the United States, so you can visit these too. But national capitals are often stunning cities with a unique history and intriguing designs. Yet capitals are worth visiting for museums alone. Washington, DC, for example, has a museum dedicated to bonsai trees, and London has over 170 museums. However, the best reason to visit your national capitals is to learn about how your country was formed and see your national heroes and government buildings up close.
Let Pets Make the Most of Where You Live
Getting the kids out and active is a great way to spend your time around where you live. But of course, your dogs also need some exercise and fun. Keeping your dogs cooped up all day isn’t fair, as they need to stretch their legs. So when you’re considering visiting a nature trail or park, consider taking the dog along. Additionally, because of the sheer number of pet dogs in nations like the US and the UK, it isn’t uncommon to find many pet-friendly places in towns and cities. For example, most UK pubs are now dog-friendly and will even let you take them inside.
Tour the Coast
Finally, if you want to learn something new or experience the water, why not stretch your sea legs? If you’re lucky enough to have a boat of your own, then don’t just let it sit at the dock. Get it out there and use it for what it was made for.
If you don’t have a boat, you can always rent one. You may need training or licenses for specific models of a boat, size, and propulsion type. Seeing where you live from the perspective of the coast is a profound experience. And if you’re lucky, you could catch some fish or even see dolphins and seabirds.
Making The Most of Where You Live
It’s pretty easy to make the most of where you live for all budgets. You can visit national parks for free, explore local attractions like museums, and see your country from the sea.
You might also enjoy reading:
The Most Family Friendly National Parks
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