Fun Summer Activities to Help Kids Beat the Heat

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Kids love summer for a few reasons. First and foremost, there’s no school! That means they get to sleep in, there’s no homework, and they can spend their days in leisurely pursuits like reading for fun, playing video games, going to the park, and hanging out with friends. And the best part is that they can enjoy the warm weather that is part and parcel of the summer months. But when the temperatures start to soar, your kids may find that spending even a few minutes outdoors leaves them feeling and looking like boiled lobsters, no matter how much sunblock you slather on. So if you’re looking for a few good ways to help them beat the heat and have fun during their summer vacation, here are a few fun activities that you’ll definitely want to try.

1. Beach days. Whether you live near a coastline or you’re in a landlocked state and your only nearby water sources are rivers and lakes, you can have some family summer fun by packing up the car and heading to your favorite local beach for the day. Get the kids in their swimsuits, grab a few towels, and load up your cooler with sandwiches and snacks. And don’t forget to bring a good book and a bucket waterproof sunblock. The kids can cool off by jumping in and out of the water all day and you can get some much needed R&R in the process. In short, it’s a win-win summer activity.
2. Public pool. Just because you can’t get off work or all the beaches are too far away for a day trip doesn’t mean the kids can’t get their splash on. But you definitely want to make sure there is adult supervision on hand. So if your kids are old enough to bike to the local public pool or water park, send them there instead of, say, to a friend who has a pool. This way you’ll ensure that any minor incidents don’t turn into major accidents because there were no adults on hand to prevent them or react accordingly.
3. Summer camp. If the urban heat island effect is turning your town into a virtual frying pan, send the kids off to the cooler climes of a summer camp for a few days, or even a few weeks. With mountains, trees, and water present at most such locales, not to mention tons of kids and activities, your children are sure to have a great time, makes some new friends, and enjoy cooler temperatures. And if they’re not the outdoorsy types, consider an academic camp that meets their interests instead, like the ones offered by NASA or the Kennedy Space Center, for example.
4. Summer reading challenge. It’s only a matter of time before kids stuck in the house all day start complaining about being bored. Luckily, the world is their oyster thanks to easy access to tons of fantastic literature. If they’re not keen to brave 3-digit temperatures during the day, simply provide a tablet to hold their library and let them while away the days with virtual adventures. And if they need a little help getting started, sign them up for Scholastic’s Summer Challenge, whereby the reading time they log can help to earn prizes for their school.
5. Basement craft room. Whether you have a ductless or central air conditioner in your home, you might be trying to cut your utility bill by keeping the air off during the day. Luckily, basements tend to stay relatively cool even without the benefit of AC. So clear your holiday decorations out and move them to the garage, then get the kids to help out with a colorful paint scheme. With some good lighting and a few pieces of furniture you can turn a basement room into a craft paradise where kids can get creative to their hearts’ content and beat the summer heat in the process.