Summer. It’s hot. It’s miserable. And it’s here. And if your kids are anything like mine, the heat doesn’t stop them from wanting to be outside but staying cool outdoors definitely takes a little bit of effort during these blazing summer months.
Red cheeks, glistening skin and matted down, wet hair are a reality of our Florida summers and always signs that we need to cool the kids down, fast! Usually we come in to cool down or dip in the pool but not everybody has a pool for staying cool outdoors and other times we don’t want to stop our outdoor fun and fresh air when trying to beat the summer heat.
So here’s a few ways I’ve found over the years to hep everyone with staying cool outdoors in the summertime:
Run in the sprinklers
If you don’t have a pool or time to get everything out and put away, a good old-fashioned romp in the sprinklers is a great alternative for beating the summer heat. Just as I did as a child, my kids love running around the yard in and out of the water and it’s a great summer distraction. (Just be sure to spray away from all people when first starting up the garden hose as sitting water can reach scalding hot temperatures in the summer sun and cause severe burns like this poor mommy learned.)
Have a popsicle
Popsicles are our favorite summertime treat and a great way to stay cool outdoors. I usually make my own fruit and juice pops or give my kids the WholeFruit ones that don’t have any added sugar or other yuckies. It’s a special treat for them, keeps the popsicle mess out of the house and helps everyone cool down quickly (though we’re still learning how to avoid brain freeze!)
Do some ice play
If you plan ahead, your kids can do some iceberg melting like Thank You Honey or if you’re more of the “make it up as you go along” type like me and are always looking for last-minute way for staying cool outdoors, then just throw a little ice into your regular water table set up. (More ideas for water play and water table fun).
Spray and squirt bottle fight
A nice mist from a spray bottle is very refreshing for a quick cool down so why not give the kids some spray bottles to help cool each other off with. You can also throw in some squirt bottles or squirt guns for better variety, longer distance and longer-lasting wetness and maximum cooling. I always set up some ground rules like no spraying faces and if a friend says “no” then no more getting them. (Water balloons are always a nice addition, too, if you have them around!)
Set up a fan blowing station
Use a big box fan to provide some air movement and a place for kids to experiment with wind. Give the kids different objects or let them pick things to hold up in front of the fan to see which are light enough to be blown around. (Of course, always keep the fan out of finger’s reach and make sure the kids don’t try to stick anything like sticks inside the fan!)
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