Wouldn't it be nice to enjoy a whole day of vacation with your family and never have to pack, plan a trip or spend a fortune? Here are some ideas for a day of family fun without ever leaving home.

The first rule of thumb is to set aside the whole day just to be together and have fun. No cleaning, laundry, yardwork or chores are allowed. Have the mindset that you are really on vacation. Don't answer the phone and leave the television off.

1. Create a beach scene right in your own back yard. Time to set up the beach umbrella, beach towels and chairs. Turn on the water sprinkler or fill a small wading pool. Lather on the sunscreen that reminds you of the beach. Listen to surfing music or the sounds of the ocean. Play catch with a beach ball, play volleyball or badmitton. Pack a picnic lunch with favorite snacks and sandwiches. Think of all of the things that you would normally enjoy at the beach and incorporate these into your day.

2. Make a family movie. Pull out the camcorder or pick up a new Flip Video (under $150.) and start the action. Give everyone a position such as lighting, background, costumes and of course a director. Pick out a theme for your movie and plan it out or just be impromptu. Halfway through the filming change positions and give everyone a chance to play a different role. At the end of the day pull out the red carpet and introduce the celebrities and their talents. Have a huge premiere party with lots of popcorn and enjoy the movie.

3. Have a whole day of Fun and Games. Make this day out of the ordinary and add a touch of whimsy. Start the day with a fun breakfast such as Monkey Bread or chocolate chip pancakes. Give everyone a clean up job and the one who finishes first gets a prize. The prizes can be given throughout the day for different tasks. Activites can include board games, crafts, face painting, making collages of your favorite things, jump rope, hop scotch and races. Each family member could even pick a favorite activity.

4. Enjoy the beauty and wonder of nature. Plant seeds and flowers. Collect natural objects such as leaves, pinecones, seeds, twigs and petals. Use the objects that you collect to make a poster and label each item. Observe insects and see how many different ones you can find. Play an ABC game of nature and see how many things you can name. Look through picture books and videos to see nature around the world. Catch lightening bugs, observe their beauty and enjoy how gracefully they fly away. Star gaze at the beautiful night sky and see how many things you can name.

No matter what theme you choose for your family vacation day, the key is to have fun and spend time together. Now is the time to start planning your family vacation at home.