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With an unstable economy and skyrocketing gas prices, people are taking fewer vacations. But just because you can't leave home doesn't mean you shouldn't enjoy a vacation. Grab your family and start planning a backyard vacation!
Step 1:

Set up some shelter. If you've got a tent, set it up a good distance from the house. You'll be sleeping under the stars for this backyard vacation and the further you are away from your home, the less tempted you'll be to slip inside to your comfy bed. If you haven't got a tent, a large tarp over a clothesline will do the trick. Set up an eating tent if the bugs are bad. This is really just a screen shelter to fend off the insects. Slide over a picnic table and you're all set.

Step 2:

Arrange a fire pit. No backyard getaway is complete without a campfire pit. Lay out a rock perimeter for your fire, or use an old metal barrel to contain the flames. A steel grate is helpful if you want to cook over the fire, but it's not necessary.

Step 3:

Have some campfire snacks. The kids will really enjoy this activity. Put together some S'mores (marshmallows sandwiched between two graham crackers and some chocolate), and melt them over the fire. Roast hotdogs or use your pie iron to create a tasty sandwich treat. You may also enjoy a ‘Nutty Monkey'. For this, peel a banana, slice it halfway along its length, and then stuff it with peanut butter and chocolate chips. Then wrap the Funky Monkey in tinfoil and put it over the fire just long enough to heat the peanut butter and chocolate. Enjoy this treat warm during your backyard vacation.

Step 4:

Turn off the electricity. The idea of a backyard vacation is to get away from the real world. Shut off your phone, leave your cell phone inside, and don't be tempted to bring them with you. If it's a vacation you want, then do yourself a favor and don't worry about your job. After all, if you were somewhere else on vacation you wouldn't be concerned with your phone messages, would you? Also, try using propane to light your backyard oasis instead of electric lights. And skip the radio. Your family should be your focus on this trip, not the local news or the most popular single this week.

Step 5:

Do some activities as a family. Vacations really are meant to rekindle families and bring them more together. While on your backyard vacation, take time to do activities as a family. Go on a nature hike, explore the local environment, or enjoy a fun game of Marco Polo in your pool. Bring along some board games and play Monopoly under the moonlight. If you're really creative, you may also want to set up a scavenger hunt for the kids. Have them look for a list of items such as bugs, twigs, rocks or even other treasures that you've hidden in your backyard. And take advantage of the firelight to sing songs or tell stories together. As long as you're doing things together as a family, this vacation will be a great one.

Step 6:

Relax. Enjoy the serenity of your backyard and the company of your family. Look beyond where you are and focus on who you are with. If you can do this, you can pull off a memorable backyard vacation that won't break the bank.

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