Surviving a heat wave with young children is no easy task! Here are 16 of our favorite Summer outings to stay cool when the weather is HOT:
Most caves have cooler temperatures, so you may want to bring along a sweater or jacket. Our closest cave is a constant 56 degrees, so it’s a great outing for a hot Summer day! For a list of caves in the US, click here.
If it’s too hot to play outdoors, try an indoor playground or bounce house to let the kids burn off some of their extra energy. Check online for coupons or seasonal specials in your area.
At participating bowling centers across the US and Canada, registered kids receive two free games of bowling every day all Summer long! To register, and for more information on this program, click here.
You can find free or deeply discounted Summer movies at various movie theaters across the country including AMC, Showcase, Regal Cinemas, Cobb Theatres, Muvico, Cinemark, Marquee Cinemas, and others. Check local times, fees, and availability. Many of these offer Summer movies at specific times for free or for just a few dollars per person during the Summer months!
One of our favorite places to visit, IKEA features a free indoor playspace with babysitting for the kids, and if you have an IKEA membership card you can get free coffee or tea in the restaurant. Later, cool off with a $1 frozen yogurt cone!
You can’t go wrong with free story time, and sometimes a small craft project is included as well. A great way to get out of the heat, and encourage plenty of Summer reading! Be sure to check to see if your local library offers a Summer Reading Club too.
A local fountain, water pad, or community pool may also be a good place to take the kids to cool off. Remember to wear sunscreen and bring water shoes!
Select a new “no cook” recipe from a cookbook to try, then take your time strolling the aisles at the grocery store to gather your ingredients. Then, go home and prepare a meal together.
Visit your closest lemonade stand, or better yet, host one of your own! Be sure to check out my daughter’s guest post where she shares 10 Tips for a Successful Lemonade Stand.
Find a local ice cream shop to visit.
Many museums or science centers offer Target Free Days (sponsored by Target) with free admission on select dates and times. Click here for more information. Alternatively, if you have a Bank of America credit card, you can use it for free admission to several museums as well. There is also National Museum Day on Saturday September 28th, hosted by Smithsonian Magazine, with many museums across the country offering free admission that day, but you must register for tickets.
If your child enjoys building things, you may want to check out your local Home Depot or Lowes for Free Kids Workshops. Participants receive an apron, safety goggles, a free kid-friendly project to put together during the workshop, a completion certificate and a pin for each completed project.
This Summer my 9 year old participated in a free camp for kids (ages 8-12) at our local Apple Store to learn how to make her own movies — she loved it! On the first day, kids create a storyboard for their films, learn how to use GarageBand to compose their own songs for their film, and record their own video footage. Day two is spent editing their movies in iMovie, and the final day is an in-store film festival showcasing their video masterpieces. Each participant receives a completion certificate, tote bag, T-shirt, and takes home the movie he/she made on an Apple USB bracelet. Free, fun, and educational! For more information on Apple’s Summer camp program, click here.
Classic Summer time FUN! Be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen, and don’t forget your beach towel!
Get out of the heat, and bring a few rolls of quarters for some video gaming fun!
Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from now until August 2nd 10am-noon, Michael’s is hosting 2 kid-friendly craft projects inspired by countries around the world for just $2 per child (ages 5 and up) per visit. It’s a great (and inexpensive) way to experience some educational and crafty fun during the Summer months! Find out more about the Michaels Passport to Imagination program here.