Beat the Heat with Kids

I don't know what part of the country you live in, but here in Michigan where I am at, we have had one of the WORST heat waves I can ever remember. My kids typically go to a park program during the day and I've pretty much kept them home. With the heat index, it's been well into the triple digits. That's just too hot to be running around outside. My husband said that we did it as kids, but like everything else that has changed from when we were kids (bike helmets, gas prices, etc), I really do not remember EVER having heat waves in Michigan like what we've had the last two summers. 

As you can imagine, the kids are starting to get stir crazy. There's only so many things to do inside before they're climbing the walls. Below are some ideas I put together that you can do with your kids to beat the heat! And please, help a mother out...if you have an idea that I did not list, leave in the comments!! 

 

Beat the Heat with your Kids!

• Kids Bowl Free: Are you familiar with this program? It's exactly as it sounds...kids bowl FREE! Bowling alley's throughout the U.S. have been offering a program where children can come and bowl two games a day, seven days a week, all summer long! For more information and to sign up, visit www.KidsBowlFree.com.
• Movie Theater: Similar to the Kids Bowl Free program, there are a lot of local movie theaters that offer kids movies at a reduced rate during the summer. One of my local theaters has $1 shows Monday through Friday. They are movies that have previously been in theaters. But for a dollar...you can't beat it!
• Water Balloons: There's something about water balloons that make kids so happy. I don't know if it's the fact that they can throw something at another person or because water explodes everywhere, but kids just love water balloons. Your fingers, on the other hand, will be sore from tying all the balloons...the things we do for our kids!
• Shaving Cream Fight: When I was in high school, we had a shaving cream/water balloon fight every year on the last day of school. It was so much fun! Get a couple cans of shaving cream at the dollar store, fill up those water balloons and make memories with your kids! I'm telling you, they will never forget the time mom let them make a mess like that! 
• Make Sidewalk Paint: While I was searching Pinterest for ideas, I came across the Squirtable Sidewalk Chalk idea. My kids (six and nine) would love it!! And it washes away! This would be a fun activity to do in the evening when it is cooler and right before showers!
• Chuck E. Cheese's: I know...to most parents, this place is their worst nightmare. However, I took my kids here last summer on an extremely hot day and the place was empty. It was awesome! We went after lunch so all I needed to buy were the tokens. They had a blast and I did too! Who am I kidding...I like the games as much as they do!
• Splash Pad: While I am personally not a fan of these places (mainly because ours is so over-crowded and there isn't room to move around), the kids still love it. I've found that right after breakfast or going right before dinner is the best time.

I'd love to hear what ideas you have to help beat the heat this summer!

**This is a guest post written by Leah Kanaan, author of Diaries of a Domestic Goddess. Leah is the mother of two children, a six year old girl and a nine year old boy. You can find Leah online at:

Diaries of a Domestic Goddess

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