Beat the Heat: Indoor Fun for Hot Summer Days

By Sarah Lyons

The dog days of summer have settled in, and it’s too hot to play outside all day. This leaves the kids with lots of energy to burn. Here are 15 easy ways to entertain the kids and keep cool at the same time.

1) Get Wet

The obvious place to keep cool is in the water. Take the kids to the pool, splash pad, or water park. Get out the sprinkler, baby pool or water table in the backyard. Try having a water balloon fight.

2) Movie Marathon

Let the kids enjoy a movie marathon in the comfort of the house. Make popcorn or cool off with some ice cream while you enjoy relaxing and watching movies through the hottest part of the day. Often theaters have dollar movies during the summer just for kids that make a great break from the heat of the day without breaking the bank.

3) Get crafty

Paint, play with Play-doh, or make bead bracelets. Allow the kids to get creative by making their own scrapbook or finding items in your recycle bin they can make into sculptures.

4) Library Trip

Take the kids to the library to cool off and find some great books and movies to check out. When you get home, spend some time relaxing and reading.

5) Cool Treats

Who doesn’t love a cool treat when it’s sweltering outside? Enjoy some ice cream or Popsicles with the kids. For extra fun, try making your own.

6) Put on a Show

Have the kids work together to put on a play, puppet show, or make up a dance routine and perform for you.

7) Play an Outdoor Game Inside

Try playing hide and seek, hopscotch, or jump rope inside.

8) Picnic

Have an indoor picnic in the living room since it’s too hot to eat outside.

9) Home Science

Try a science experiment at home. Make your own volcano, mix food coloring, or make a balloon rocket to teach the kids about science and stay cool indoors. Pinterest is loaded with easy activities to enthrall your children.

10) Make Cookies

Make no-bake cookies so that you do not have to turn the oven on.

11) Get out Early, or Late

Run errands or play outside early in the morning or later in the evening when the temperatures are cooler.

12) Build a Fort

Have the kids make a fort with pillows and blankets for some indoor fun. A small fan can also help keep them cool and keep their blankets afloat.

13) Race Track

Use masking tape to make a race track on the floor and let the kids see who drives the fastest.

14) Ice

Make a block of ice in advance. You can make your own art by putting on a cookie sheet or shallow pan, and use salt and food coloring to melt the ice. You can also freeze things in the ice, and let the kids play with the small toys as they fall out.