Weather.com predicts a sprawling heatwave on Memorial Day this year, with temperatures in the 80s and 90s in a broad swath of the country from Chicago through Texas. If you're in one of the areas where overpowering heat is likely to overcome your picnic guests, plan some cool attractions to compensate.
Cooling Water Games
There are plenty of fun water games to cool off guests at your hot Memorial Day picnic. If you plan to play water games, encourage guests to bring swimsuits or a change of clothes. Here are some favorites:
* Water balloon toss. These instructions from National Geographic Kids describe this simple team game whose goal is keep the balloon from breaking.
* Jump rope water splash. Fun Attic describes this simple game in which guests attempt jump roping while holding a cup of water.
* Hole in the bucket. Parent Dish explains this game in which guests try to fill a bucket with water using leaky water carriers.
* Water tug o' war. Teams try to pull each other into the sprinkler stream.
Making Cold Refreshments
Allowing guests to make their own cold refreshments is another way to combat heat at your Memorial Day picnic.
For snow cones, supply rolling pins and bags of ice cubes to crush or provide a blender and abundant ice cubes. You can make snow cone syrup before the picnic using recipes like these, or you can buy snow cone syrup ready-made.
An old-fashioned crank ice cream maker will enable guests to take turns helping prepare a cold treat to be shared by all. Use a seasonal fruit recipe like Georgia peach ice cream, or strawberry sorbet.
Planning for the Memorial Day heatwave will allow you and your guests to enjoy the holiday rather than suffer through it.
