Expert post: How to enjoy a staycation at home

If you can't afford a family holiday this year - and let's face it, times are difficult for a lot of us at the moment, there's no need to go without a holiday at all.

Wherever you live, I'm willing to bet there are places nearby you've never been to. Have you ever looked at your area through the eyes of a tourist?

Plan ahead

To enjoy your "staycation" at home, decide which days are going to be your "holiday" and take time off work if need be. Then in the run-up to these days, get all the chores out of the way. Do the shopping, do the washing and ironing and free up some days simply to have fun.

Then try to plan some activities or places to go. If you wake up without a plan, it's easy to fritter away the morning without actually doing anything. Try to think of at least one place to go each day. A park? Local lido? A museum you've never been to? Ice-skating or some other physical activity? Perhaps you could take a day trip to the beach and dig sandcastles and fly kites even if the weather isn't so good?

If you're stuck for ideas, try Visit Britain which has suggestions of things to do all over the UK or visit your local library. Look out for two for one offers from supermarket loyalty cards such as Nectar or Tesco Clubcard to keep the costs down. Then when you get back, maybe do some baking together or organise a treasure hunt in the garden. Do something together which you don't have time to do when school, work and chores get in the way. Try not to resort to watching TV or fiddling on the computer.

Camping

Personally, I hate camping, but if you and your family enjoy it, why not put a tent up in the garden and cook on the barbecue, or even an open fire as suggested by Ready for Ten writer Ellen? And then maybe stay up late and tell ghost stories. Camping at home has the great advantage of not having too far to go to the loo in the night, and not having to wear flip-flops in the showers.

Memories

Research has shown that the thing children remember and value most about their holidays is spending time with their parents. They are certainly not impressed by exotic locations. So if you can't afford a holiday this year, don't worry about it. As far as your children are concerned, spending time with you is all they want.

Catherine Cooper is author of Travelling with Children: A Parent's Guide published by Bonacia Press.