Camping might be a pastime the whole family enjoys, but still, summer nights aren’t the best time to sleep in nature. Riding bikes or playing at the park is something the kids might love, but when the temperatures reach the high nineties during the day it’s difficult to muster the energy for these activities. There are a variety of fun ways to beat the heat though.
Visit the Local YMCA
There are several options here. The Y has a pool, and probably has other indoor activities in addition. For the exercise type, the pool is a relatively cool way to get in a great workout. Also, any other exercise equipment the local Y has is indoors and air conditioned. No sweating buckets while trying to play tennis outside! And if the need to cool off after a workout is unbearable – there’s the pool!
Check Out the Local Community Pool
The local community pool is a great place to go if kids are on the agenda. The kids can keep cool and socialize, and their parents can join them if they want. If there is a shallow shelf in the pool for the little kids (3 inches of water or so) this is good news for those who want to work on their bronzed skin tone while not feeling as if they’re baking in an oven. The low water level allows sunbathers to lie on their backs, or on their stomachs, propping their heads on the outside of the pool.
Explore the Backyard
No YMCA or community pool close by? No problem, there are still ways to keep cool at home. Try turning on the hose or sprinkler system. Not only do the kids have fun (especially if there’s a Wet ‘n Wild involved!) but the lawn benefits from this as well. If there’s a family dog, chances are he’ll have fun romping in the water too, and get out some energy in the process.
Play Some Inside Games
Why not have some quality “family time” in the air conditioned house? Board games are a lot of fun and can take up a good amount of time. Monopoly and Risk, for example. If the kids are younger, try something like Candy Land, or Chutes and Ladders. Card games can also pass the time. Uno or Memory is suitable for young ages, while Bridge, Spades, or Hearts are great for older groups.
Visit the Library
Take a trip to the library! Most, if not all, libraries have summer reading programs that offer kids incentives to read during the summer. Imaginations are fired, and hours of each day can be spent reading. Parents can read to children who aren’t old enough to read yet.
Spend a Day at a Water Park
If there’s a local water park, this can be an entire day of fun, and there won’t be one dry, hot moment! (Unless a break is taken for lunch). Water parks have pools and play places suitable for kids as young as one – provided there is parental supervision, as well as the standard wave pools, water park slides and tube rides that older people will enjoy.
These are just a few ways to enjoy the summer with kids without risking a heat stroke. Water is always a big hit with kids, so it’s hard to go wrong there. The library is a good way to make reading fun, especially with a summer reading program. And of course, anything at the house can be wonderful quality family time.
