Beat the Heat

Summer time and the living is…..easy? Here in Idaho it is very hot. My kids tend to get bored and cranky. Below are some ways to beat the heat and entertain everyone. Sometimes we devote all day to these projects and sometimes just a few hours. I’d love to hear your ideas.

1) Crayon melt -
Supplies:
Old crayons, with wrappers removed
Foil muffin tin – or one you are willing to part with
Craft sticks, sponges, cotton balls, string etc. – any disposable craft object
Newspaper – to cover your working space.
Paper – to paint on

Break the crayons into small pieces and place in muffin tin. Just 2 or 3 in each compartment. In the heat of the day, place the tin in direct sunlight. Cover the area where you will be working with newspaper. Once the crayons begin to melt, use the sponges, sticks, etc. to smear the crayon goo on your paper. We also smeared it on jars to make penny banks.

Warning: Expect a mess, on the pavement, on your hands. Everywhere! Around here our motto is “IF YOU AREN”T GETTING MESSY, YOU AREN’T HAVING FUN!”

2) Sprinkler Keep Away
Same as normal keep away, but the person in the middle is also standing in the sprinkler.

3) Pajama Camp Out
This builds on the great tradition of staying in your p.j.s all day. Start with cereal in the back yard. Spread a blanket with books, snacks, pillows, and make yourselves comfy. When it gets too hot, head indoors and watch a movie or read in Mom and Dad’s bed (what is it about Mom and Dad’s bed that kids like?).

4) Make a Tent
If you have a real tent put it up and let the kids entertain themselves. If not, try building one out of a large blanket and chairs, ropes, trees, or whatever is in your yard.

5) Read Everything
Pile a TON of story books around your favorite reading spot and see how many you can read in one day. I love doing this when our bookshelves are a mess so we can tidy up when we replace the books.

6) Do Nothing Box
Just pull out games, toys, coloring books which your kids haven’t played with in a while. Place them in a box or basket and tell the kids they “have to” play out of that box all day. I also do this on rainy days or when I am sick. If I was really organized, I would have a box ready, but I don’t

7) Don’t Cook
Okay, so that’s a personal fantasy. When it’s too hot to bake cookies, pull out your favorite no-bake recipe and let the kids help.

8) If, all else fails, fill the bathtub with water and let them all climb in in their swimsuits. Don’t ask me why they like this, they just do.