Are you itching for an adventure during these days of social distancing, but not sure what to do, where to go… or even where to begin? I have been thinking a lot about this lately, and know it’s not easy, when you have a lot of other things on your mind, to prioritize travel. But fear not! I am speaking about traveling in a different way here, and the idea of adventuring in your own home, backyard, or neighborhood. I’ve gathered a few ideas for you and your kids to satisfy that travel bug right now.

It’s time to get crafty

Have you ever collected postcards, brochures, maps, business cards, or anything else during a trip? So many people collect these seemingly random items but have no idea what to do with them when they get home. Time to look back on your favorite trip and write a travel journal! More than ever, we need to remember the thrill of a trip and the excitement of traveling. Use this time to reflect and write in any journal about your experience. Remember the amazing restaurant you ate at? Meeting the local people? Buying that perfect postcard? Reminisce on the past – and start planning for your next trip now as you remember all the good.

Build your travel fund

Now is the best time to start cleaning out your closets and selling unused items so you can start planning and prepping for that new trip. Go down memory lane yet again and pull out all the clothes, shoes, travel bags, and other items you haven’t touched in at least six months to a year. Start selling them on places like eBay and Facebook Marketplace and offer to ship them the items for a low fee. The money can add up quickly, and you can set everything you make in a travel fund – yet another thing to look forward to!

Between the pages

Travel books and magazines can be a perfect way to pass the time and find inspiration for your next trip. If you don’t already have the book you’re looking for on your bookshelf you can purchase and download electronic books from Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Or put your library card to use and visit the website of your local library and checkout eBooks. Almost every city has a program like OverDrive to rent eBooks and audiobooks.

Another favorite thing to do is to peruse through old guidebooks that I have, or purchase online version of magazines like Afar, Travel + Leisure, and Conde Nast Traveler. You don’t need a subscription and can buy one at a time.

The movie list

Connect to YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Netflix, or any other streaming service, to watch travel-related films and documentaries. Some of my favorite films to cozy up with a big bowl of popcorn include “Roman Holiday” (1955), “Eat Pray Love” (2010), and “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” (2013). All travel related in some way, all letting you escape just a little right now.

An adventure in your backyard

If you’re kids are tired of movies, cleaning and books at this point, it’s time to think of some adventures they can do in their own backyard. One activity I’ve found to be fun is taking the Pack this Journal for Kids and plan a trip and then pretend to go on that trip by writing down all the places and things you see on this adventure. Maybe the trip is just to the next town over, or a walk to the park. You can use this journal in so many different ways and the activities will keep them busy for hours. Best part: the writing can be as real or imaginary as they want it to be! They have blank and lined pages to draw and doodle, and the journey tracker to help them remember what they’ve done and seen. The hours are endless and as they want to get outside, send them there with their Pack this Journal for Kids.

Ok, here is just a start of the things you can do to remember the fun of travel. What are you doing right now to have an adventure? Let me know in the comments below!