Collaborative post
It’s summer, and it’s one of the hottest on record. You don’t need telling that; you’ve already sweated through the vast majority of your summer garb in the second major heatwave of the year, and you’re poised to do it all over again. Only, the next heatwave that rolls through will be deep into your children’s summer holiday. That is: hard mode.
The summer holidays are difficult enough to navigate, but when there’s record-beating weather to contend with, the challenge is something else entirely. Not only do you have to keep your children engaged – whether to alleviate their boredom or create space for your own fun – but you also need to ensure they are safe in the summer heat. What follow are just a few cute, zone-based activity ideas that can ensure your children are both having fun and staying cool.
Water Play Splash Zone
It’s already something of a trope that the paddling pools come out with the first whiff of summer sunshine. You can turn this trope into something more than a light inconvenience this summer, with a little investment in some pool toys and maybe an invite to your friends’ kids. By populating a large paddling pool with buckets, sponges, inflatable toys and pool noodles, you can actively encourage your kids to party in the water, keeping themselves cool in the process.
Shaded Craft Corner
Direct sunshine is nice for all of five minutes, but becomes actively dangerous after, and all the more so for kids with more sensitive skin than ours. Sunscreen will only get you so far, between its limited effectiveness and the constant need to chase your kids down to reapply it. As such, you might want to incentivise them to stay in the shade.
This means creating a dedicated area in the shade, that’s cool both figuratively and literally. Roll up your roller garage door and turn your utility space into a cool crafting zone, with small tables and safe materials to make into all manner of artworks or structures.
Nature Treasure Hunt
If you’re lucky enough to live by some greenery, or to have plenty of it in your own back garden, this is a great opportunity to let your kids loose in the nature shade of the undergrowth. You could draw up a scavenger hunt, requiring your kids to find certain types of leaf or shapes of rock; you could even require them to take pictures of certain insects. A small reward for their efforts, and they’ll spend the whole afternoon keeping themselves entertained in the shaded safety of the greenery.