Editor's note: Patch Blogger Jennifer Casey from Annapolis Patch shares some cool ideas for helping kids beat the heat. (OK, we know it’s far away, but the East Coast is dealing with a hot summer, too – and we think good ideas are even better when you share them!)
Kids: It’s important to be safe during high heat days, but you can spend a little time outside, in moderation, with the supervision of an adult.
During extremely hot days, remember to always wear sunscreen -- and drink plenty of fluids. The shade is a great place to play, and earlier or later in the day can offer a little relief from the heat. Remember not to exert yourself because dehydration can happen so quickly.
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Be safe and have fun with these cool games:
Water Balloon Splat For this game you will need water balloons, sidewalk chalk and a tape measure. First you throw a water balloon, next you measure your splat. How big, small, long, short, wiggly or straight can you make your splat? You can keep track of your measurements with your sidewalk chalk. Challenge yourself or a friend.
Frozen T-shirts This game is especially fun and refreshing on extra hot days.
About two hours before you are ready to play you will need to prepare the T-shirts. Take generously damp T-shirts and fold them individually, neat and tight. Place them in the freezer until frozen. You can choose to play competitively or cooperatively. If you are feeling competitive, separate into groups, and each group will get a frozen T-shirt. The first group using body heat to thaw the T-shirt and put it on a player wins. If you want to play cooperatively you can work on thawing the T-shirt together and set a goal time to beat.
Puddle Picassos Sidewalk chalk is a classic summer pastime, but it becomes so much more by adding something as simple as water. Chalk colors become more vibrant when you use them when they are wet or when you draw on a wet surface. Experiment with wetting or soaking the chalk, and also try wet chalk on a dry surface or dry chalk on a wet surface. The possibilities are endless and quite messy, so for this water play activity I suggest wearing bathing suits.
Refreshing recyclables Simple water play can keep young children occupied for considerable lengths of time. It’s a fun and easy activity, with as little as a bin and some water. You can also add household items or recyclables including cups, bottles, measuring cups and spoons. For added interest you could poke holes in some of the plastic cups or water bottles. Kids have a great time spilling, pouring, measuring and splashing.
Hello hydration It’s always important to stay hydrated and especially so during high summer heat. Infused water is a healthy way to get fluids into children who might not enjoy or want plain water. There are many ingredients you can infuse into water to add fun refreshing flavors. Try cucumbers, berries, lemons, limes, oranges or pineapples. You can even add herbs like mint or basil for a little extra something. There are so many possibilities. Kids love creating his/her own recipes and taste-testing the finished product. Add ice -- and enjoy!
