I love being outside with my kids—going on walks, visiting parks and letting them roam on the grass. My toddler, especially, would happily spend hours and hours outdoors.
But over the summer, it’s just gets too hot for outdoor play that last more than 50 seconds. Within minutes, we are all sporting rosy cheeks and sweaty heads.
Plus, there are only so many times you can hit the the pool or a splash pad before you’re sick of getting changed into swimwear and then back into regular clothes, dealing with wet towels and hauling pool toys and sunscreen back and forth.
It can be tempting to spend the whole summer locked in the air conditioned house, but here are seven things we should all do instead to beat the heat.
Here are my 12 of my favorite activates to beat the heat!
1. Play dates
One summer, a friend and I set up a standing play date once a week. We switched between our houses and it was a good chance for our little ones to practice sharing and play with some new toys. Plus, we got to chat for 90 minutes. Why didn’t I do that this summer?
2. Go to the library
Libraries have such great kids’ programming, and even if you don’t make it to one of their actual events (always check the Ridley Library calendar for a TON of library event listings), you can still spend a few hours there with kids. They have LEGOs, puzzles, some have Maker Spaces (lookin’ at you, Maplewood), and there are other kids to play with! If I’m planning to do a day at the library with my kids, I usually bring my own book or check one out for myself once I get there to read while they do puzzles or LEGOs. Then they usually pick out a few (more like 25 each) books and we either sit and read them or bring them home and read them all at once.
3. Have a fun bath time
or just a regular bath time! If you’ve got them, bath crayons, bath bombs, colored bath foam, and bath color tablets can really amp up a bath time. If you don’t have them, just throw in some of your regular toys and let them have some indoor water play.
4. Have a water bucket relay
This works well when you have a mix of toddlers and older kids. The game has a simple premise, with two teams (of two or more kids) lined up facing each other. The aim is to transfer water from one bucket full of water (next to the first child in the line) along the line to the empty bucket at the end. Kids do this by scooping the water and pouring it into the next child’s container. Give them 3-4 minutes on the timer, and the team with the most water in their end bucket wins.
If playing just with toddlers, eliminate the competitive factor and focus on transferring water from one receptacle to another.
5. Have a movie day
If you’re feeling up to leaving the house, check out this list for a few theaters having kids’ summer movies for free or really cheap. Or, if you’re me, get a DVD from the library, set up floor pillows and popcorn, and do the theater at home instead.
6. Get in the kitchen
My 5yo got a kids’ cookbook and set of kid knives for his birthday last year and they love picking out recipes from it to try. Some other favorites: pizza (I just get pre-made dough from the grocery store), baked goods (cupcakes, cornbread, cookies), and milkshakes in the blender! You could even make homemade Play Doh in the kitchen!
7. A modern toy exchange
Pop into your local moms’ Facebook group and ask if anyone has any old toys they don’t want anymore! This is how we got our huge bin of LEGOs mentioned above and part of the whole thrill of it was that we went together to pick them up and they got to sift through novel toys. It’s so fun for them to not know exactly what’s in the bin and they get more excited when they find something cool than they would if we just bought a set ourselves. This is a win on so many levels – you’re doing someone a favor by taking something they don’t want, you’re saving it from going into a landfill, you save money, your kids are entertained, and my favorite part: your kids learn first-hand about generosity and giving and receiving. We pack up toys to donate all the time and it’s been really fun for my kids to be on the receiving end and make the connection to how the kids who receive their toys feel.
8. Indoor games and activities
I’m really not great at playing pretend with my kids but I have an easier time playing with them in a structured game. You can find a list of our favorites here and I’d add Smack It! to this list too!
9. Make a sensory bin
“Sensory bin” sounds way fancier than what I do which is just fill a $5 wash basin with some kind of material I think the kids might like. Some of our favorite add-ins: dried beans, dried or cooked pasta, water with food dye, outdoor materials like rocks and feathers, Play Doh. I let them get creative with what the materials they use to play with them but a couple of their favorites are: recyclables with different sized openings and lids, egg cartons, whisks, wooden spoons, ladles, tongs, measuring cups, and silicone baking cups.
10. Make Frozen Ice Pops
Who does not love a cold and refreshing ice pop during the heat? This fun activity is also practical as you get to prepare it with your child. Choose their favorite fruits, puree them, scoop into cups with sticks, and freeze until solid. After the whole activity, they will feel proud while munching on the finished product.
11. Have a Car Wash
If your kids insist on playing outdoors, you can have them assist wash the car with a bucket of water, soap, and some sponges. Not only will you have fun with your kids during the car wash, but you will also teach them the importance of helping with family chores.
12. Have an Indoor Picnic
When the weather gets too hot or rainy, that doesn’t mean your summer day is ruined—just move the party indoors! Lay out a blanket and have a picnic in your living room.
Conclusion
All kids enjoy playing, whether toddlers or pre-teens, so if you have the time and energy, participate or maximum enjoyment during the hot days, customize each activity to your child’s ages and interests. For toddlers, it is advisable to avoid direct sunlight on their skin as often as possible. When carrying babies under six months old outdoors, apply a sunscreen with zinc oxide as the only active ingredient, and use it sparingly. Instead, rely on a wide-brimmed hat and lightweight sleeves to protect your toddler from the sun.