Christie and John have four young children, and lament that they "can't afford to take multiple vacations over the summer." Rach's crafty buddy Stacey Ballis says, "No problem!" She shows this family how they can have a fun vacation without ever leaving their home town!

• Give your home that "hotel" feel. Move your children's mattresses to another room (such as a rec room or finished basement) to give them their own "suite." Put candy on their pillows and set up a kids mini-bar with juice, soft drinks, cookies or chips!

• Make the atmosphere of your home kitchen more like a restaurant. Create menus, buy restaurant-style condiment bottles or serve dinner in colorful food baskets.

• Turn your regular local hangout spots into mini-vacation destinations. Some local eateries will give behind-the-scenes tours of their business, which can be fun and educational for your kids.

• Parents can get in the act and treat themselves with a bedside gift basket filled with a bottle of champagne, some chocolate and a few snacks -- the perfect way to unwind after a mini-vacation around town with the kids!