Go camping.
Or visit the historic Triangle for a few days (hotels in Williamsburg are cheap), then do some day trips. Etc.

I too find that if we are home, it’s hard to get the family to do big outings, and we just end up cleaning, hanging out, etc.

You have to figure out how you and your family relax. It can be as easy as lining up playing board games together at home or anywhere. Doing new things around town like Ax Throwing or Beat the Bomb game in DC. Do a long weekend in NYC or Philly. If you're thinking about getting away and not enjoying it, you're overthinking your vacation. You should be able to do what you want and be able to enjoy whatever that is. I can take a bath and binge watch shows and that would be fun for me. I can also spend a zillion dollars travelling to a destination I am interested in and that is also going to be fun for me. Know yourself.

Staycations are not the same as vacations. They're just not - so you can't expect them to be the same. Staycations still mean no work and doing some fun things around town. But there's no way I can be in my house and not put dishes in the dishwasher and take care of small things around the house. When we're home my kids are going to default to their rooms and devises. I would also find all these really far day trips people suggest to be exhausting. I wouldn't plan anything more than an hour away from home. If you really want to relax and connect just send the money and go to the resort.