Ways to keep kids cool this summer
📷: James Balensiefen c/o Unsplash
The weather is definitely heating up. It’s hot, the car seats feel like you’ve sat on a fry pan and the kids are relentless in their pursuit of playtime.
So what to do to keep your cool (literally and figuratively!) this summer whilst keeping little ones busy so they can sleep through the hot summer nights ahead. Earlybirds has complied some fun and affordable activities you can try with your kids during the summer months.
Something to note; Australia has the highest levels of skin-cancer (melanoma) in the world so always remember to slip, slop, slap, seek and slide to protect your family this summer. For more information, head to the Cancer Council website: https://bit.ly/3ikXv9g
Have a water fight with the hose
An oldie but a goodie. If you have any water guns or water balloons, all the better.
Set up a baby pool in the backyard or a Slip ‘n’ Slide
There are inflatables water toys for every budget, size and age ranges. Kids can spend hours splashing around and create a myriad of games to be played out in their new watery fortress.
Explore a beach or creek
Australia is full of natural wonders. Head to your local beach, creek or nature reserve to see what critters and plants you can spot.
Make a fairy garden
Find a small clearing at the base of a tree, under a bush or at the bottom of the garden. Kids can collect moss, bark, feathers, smooth rocks (for fairy seats obviously) and leaves to create a dwelling fit for Tinkerbelle herself. Kids may want to bring items from inside to decorate the garden like glitter, animal figurines, mini-furniture, gnomes, or paint the rocks to look like toadstools.
Grow fresh herbs on the windowsill
Use old pots, the bottom half of a milk bottle, mason jars or any other containers you have lying around the house that won’t leak or split. Encourage your budding little horticulturalists to plant the seeds/seedlings and water them every day. Kids can get an immense sense of satisfaction from seeing the fruits of their labour and you may end up having plants big enough to use their leaves in your cooking.
Place a sprinkler under the trampoline
Prepare for lots of shrieks of delight!
Look for shapes in the clouds
BYO imagination and blanket. This activity is free, gets your kids away from screens and all going well, it might even create some nostalgic memories for when they’re grown up.
Take a dip in a cool bath indoors
If the thought of heading to the local pool is too much, break out the bath toys during the day to save yourself a hot car journey and potentially a sunburnt kid.
Make water balloon piñatas
Great for kids’ parties. Hang balloons filled with water from a clothes line and find a suitable stick. Stand well back and let the kids vent some pent-up energy. Check out this great how-to video from Kid Spot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roqgB6XZdmQ
Apple bobbing:
My nephews have this down to a fine art. Fill a large bucket, barrel or cleaned out wheelbarrow with water. Add apples and let the games begin! You might want to set a time limit of 30 seconds per player to make things more competitive.
Get out of the house late or early
From ten ‘til three stay under a tree. The hottest part of the day is the middle of the day. It is also the time when the sun’s UV rays are the most harmful. Avoid it if you can and if you can’t, be sure to slip, slop, slap!
Avoid
Shopping centres like Chaddy – there are often long lines, and no one wants to walk long distances through a carpark in 45 degree heat.