Last week’s heatwave was tough and sticky. Record temperatures made it feel like it was over 100 degrees outside because of the high humidity. While I do love a good sauna or hot yoga class, I’m not a huge fan of walking out the door into extreme temperatures with a toddler!
Along with the heatwave, news reports warned that the air quality was so bad that you should completely avoid going outside. That meant I had to stay indoors for a couple days with my 3-year-old who runs around like he’s part of some varsity track team. This was going to be a tough one. I wondered, what will we do for the next 48 hours in our two-bedroom apartment?
My husband is pretty crafty and creative, and can play non-stop with our boy for hours straight— without even checking his phone! He’s amazing and has the patience of about 10 saints, but he was away for the weekend. I’ve gotten a little better at keeping our son entertained indoors but I could still use some help staying focused.
So, after observing their playtime and speaking to other moms, I pulled together a fun list of activities that will keep everyone entertained (and cool) if and when the next heatwave hits:
Day Baths
I texted a mom friend who didn’t have the strongest air conditioner and asked her how she was holding up during the last heatwave. Her response was, “We are sitting in a cold bath right now.” That seemed like the perfect activity for the day and if I can ever get my kid into water, I’m putting this activity on the list.
Obstacle Course
Take all the pillows off the couch and lay them on the ground in your living room. Then let your kid make their way jumping on each pillow across the room. Sometimes we keep adding new pillows to the course to make it interesting. And sometimes the pillows lead into his room and onto his bed, for the final and biggest jump of the course.
Story Time — Books and Audio
Reading books never get old. Although, make sure you get a new batch of books from the library every so often to keep your attention going strong. After book five, I can get a little tired. That’s when I search for toddler stories on YouTube like Frog and Toad and let technology take over. It might be cheating but we’re in survival mode during a heatwave!
Mall Time
I am not a mall person, but when we need to stay cool, I’m game for an indoor haven that has activities for kids. Though, we never make it out without buying a toy for our kid (and maybe for me too). At a mall near us called Palisades, they even have a real obstacle course where kids can climb on ropes in between floors of the mall! Yes, we will do whatever it takes to stay entertained and stay out of the heat.
Balloons—Water and Air
Break out a few balloons and fill them with either air, water or both. Play catch with the air balloons or water balloons if you’re feeling adventurous. Or keep the water balloons by the cool bath and hopefully your kid will want to get in with them.
Animal Yoga
Yoga is calming and so good for your mind and body, and animal yoga is the perfect way for kids to get into the fun, zen spirit too. Find a YouTube video like this one, where kids can learn how to do yoga poses and chill out from the practice while turning their body into animal shapes.
Make Picture Frames
My kid isn’t too into crafts, but recently at camp, he was having a great time making picture frames. There were basic wooden frames and cups of small items like beads, buttons, shells and dry pasta. I helped him place some glue on the frame and he placed the pieces on the frame. Then, add a photo of your little one to remember the day together, turning the heatwave into a positive memory.
New & Old Toys
I know we can’t buy love, but we can sometimes buy entertainment. A new toy, especially in the toddler years, can keep your kids playing by themselves for a while. And new toys don’t have to be expensive. If you want to get thrifty, head to a used toy store or even ask your community on a Facebook forum if any families are ready to hand off some old toys and declutter their home. The store Five Below is also amazing for snagging fun finds under $5. The hungry hippo game I got was a big hit too!
Ice Pops and Ice-Cream Making
100-degree weather calls for any frothy or icy treat, without worrying about sugar. Instead of cooking with heat, go crazy and make cold desserts for dinner. The Eastern Europeans even have sweet cakes for dinner in the summer and they might be onto something! Get an ice cream maker on eBay and whip up your favorite flavors. Or make ice pops with your kids with these popsicle molds.
Don’t let the excessive heat make you stir crazy, even if your home bound. Enjoy these creative and fun ways to play and cool down, while enjoying a homemade ice cream party. And remember, being stuck in the house playing with your adorable kiddos is definitely not the worst thing!
Other Parenting News:
Recent Comments