Hot, steamy summer days are great if escaping to an air-conditioned oasis is an option. Unfortunately, getting cabin fever in the summer is not any fun.
Families need to enjoy the summer heat before the cold, dreary winter returns and while playing in the sprinklers can be a good time, there are some options to stay cool that are a little more out of the box.
Here are five unique ways you and your family can beat the summer heat:
1: An indoor waterpark:
95 degree day will cause the outdoor waterpark or pool is probably packed but the indoor park offers the same H20 enjoyment without the heat and long lines. Plus for indoor parks summer is the off season, so you may even be able to get exceptional package deals or deep discounts. A Buttoned Up tested favorite: Kalahari Resorts in Ohio & Wisconsin.
2: Try unique water games
Ever played “Splash Dodgeball”? Or how about “Drop, Drop, Drench”? These are great backyard water games for a hot summer day. For the older kids, in “Splash Dodgeball” you need are four corners marked by buckets of water to create the boundary. Then a get a few of the spongee water balls for the kids to throw around. Just make sure you supervise and just like a snow ball fight, faces are off limits. For “Drop, Drop Drench” it’s just like “Duck, Duck, Goose” with a fun water twist. Get a small pitcher of water (be sure it’s not too heavy for the kids to carry) and the child who is “IT” goes around the circle spilling just a drop on each kid until he finds the kid of his choice and “Drenches” the goose. This game is certain to keep everyone cool and laughing with water fun!
3: Create a cheap air cooler
Just because everybody wants to keep the energy bills down in this rough economic climate, doesn’t mean you have to suffer in the dogs days of summer! Create a do-it yourself air conditioner: Buy a Styrofoam cooler. Fill it about 1/3 with ice then poke four holes on each of the 2 long sides. Make the holes big enough for air to flow through and be sure the holes are close to the ice but just high enough that when the ice melts, the water won’t spill out the sides. Next, turn on the fan on the far side of the Styrofoam cooler and feel the ice cold air on your face or body. This at-home cooler is great for cooling off while on the couch, before bed, or to keep pets comfy on hot days (they are certain to plop down in front of the cold stream of air). If you don’t want to do all of that, wet wash cloths and place them in the freezer. Then wipe your arms and legs down before turning on a fan or place the frozen cloths on the back of your neck. This simple trick will at least bring you down a couple of heat notches.
4: Watch your timing.
Blow drying your hair in the morning? Running your laundry dryer at noon? Baking for the cookout at 3pm? All of these activities add up to warming your home and adding to the heat from the sun. Close all of your blinds, shades, and windows early each morning to keep the sunlight out. Blow out your hair before bedtime when it’s cooler, or let your hair air dry with fun hair styling products for the surfer babe or dude look. Only use the dryer if you have to, and use a clothing line instead (your clothes will have a wonderful fresh air scent too!). And pick out recipes that require little or no baking, like fruit pizza or rice krispies.
5: Stay heat smart
This one is the most important- Keep yourself and your kids
hydrated. Your body needs lots of electrolytes and hydration,
especially on hot summer days to avoid heat exhaustion or heat
stroke. Even if you aren’t thirsty or your kids claim they aren’t
thirsty, keep the fluids coming. Give them low calorie sports
drinks like Gatorade G2, water, and popsicles if they are refusing
to drink more liquids. If you see one of the kids (or yourself)
with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, clammy pale skin, dry mouth,
weakness, etc. get them out of the sun and heat immediately. These
are symptoms of heat exhaustion. Have them to drink the fluids, but
slowly as to not get nauseous, as well as offering them a salty
snack (like pretzels) and loosening clothing. If symptoms get worse
and turn into convulsions, hallucinations, or loss of
consciousness, this may be heat stroke and you should seek medical
attention immediately. For more information, check out RedCross.org
for more advice on “Heat Waves”.
For more summer fun ideas, visit our website at www.getbuttonedup.com.
