One of the first things that pops into my head when I think of summer is the heat. I am not a big fan of really hot weather, but in Kansas, it is inevitable. It is an issue for a LOT of people. We don't let the high temperatures stop us from making the most of summer. We have some tricks to stay cool and have family fun this summer. A little creativity goes a long way when it comes to family fun!
HOW TO STAY COOL AND HAVE FAMILY FUN THIS SUMMER
You are probably assuming that all of my suggestions for staying cool and having fun involve getting wet! Guess what? Some do, and some don't. There are lots of ways to stay cool, and I am going to share some of our favorites!
BE PREPARED FOR FUN
Most of our summer plans involve being gone for at least half the day or maybe even all day. With three kids at home, I like to take specific steps to ensure we are prepared for a fun time.
First, I head to the store and get the essentials for a great time away from the house. We don't want anyone to get “hangry”!
We can't leave home for a family outing without snacks. I like to grab some of our family favorites to put in our outing basket. Each person gets to pick a favorite or two for the basket. Let's face it—families need snacks! A hungry family is a grumpy family.
INJURIES MAY OCCUR
I will always throw a first aid kit into our outing basket. If you know my kids, then you know that someone will need a bandage before the outing is over, LOL. Although I have a small kit in the vehicle, I might forget to take it out when we arrive at our destination. So, putting one directly into our snack bag is the best choice for me.
MUSEUMS ARE COOL
Museums are cool on two levels. First, they have air conditioning, so the temperature is wonderful. Second, museums have cool things to look at and explore.
We have several fun museums in Wichita that our whole family enjoys. Our favorite is Exploration Place because it has rotating collections, so there is always something new. As a mom, I love that they have a beautiful outdoor seating area overlooking the river that we can use to eat our snacks!
It is easy to make a museum an all-day event, and it is a great way to stay cool this summer.
PARKS CAN BE COOL TOO!
Parks can be HOT in the summer, and the equipment can get really warm and uncomfortable. The good news is that many parks now have splash pads! We like to head out in the morning before the heat hits.
The kids (and us big kids, lol) will play on the park equipment in the morning. We like to stop for a snack, and then, as it warms up, we will head to the splash pad to keep cool.
My family is always TIRED when we get done with a day at the park during the summer. I admit it…when we get home, everyone takes a nap!
DAYTIME MOVIES
Many movie theaters offer special daytime movies that are family-oriented during the summer. When school gets out, we will look at the schedule and decide which movies our family would enjoy.
A bonus is that daytime movies are generally not as expensive as going in the evening.
This is a great way to spend part of a cool summer day. I have to laugh because some of the movies are ones my kids have never heard of, but I remember watching them when I was a kid!
I like to grab the snack basket on our way out the door so everyone can have a quick snack on the way to the theater. That always saves me from needing to buy any concessions!
TRY A NEW POOL
We have a great pool in our community. My kids swim there a LOT. One thing we do to stay cool and have family fun in the summer is to try out a different pool.
We will go to a pool in a different community and it is like a whole new world for our family. Other slides, different diving boards…different can be fun!
KEEP YOUR HOME COOL TOO
While it’s fun to get out and explore, nothing beats coming home to a cool, comfortable house after a long day in the summer heat. Ensuring your air conditioning runs efficiently is key to staying comfortable, especially during those scorching days. Regular maintenance, like cleaning the filters and checking for worn-out parts, can make a big difference. If you need to replace anything, you can buy quality appliance components online to keep your HVAC system running smoothly all summer long.
There are other simple ways to keep your home cool without running up your energy bill. Close your blinds or curtains during the hottest part of the day because this will block direct sunlight. Ceiling fans can also help circulate air and make a room feel cooler without lowering the thermostat. You could always take advantage of cooler outdoor temperatures in the evenings by opening windows to let fresh air in. And if you’re using appliances like ovens, dishwashers, or dryers, try running them in the early morning or late at night when it’s cooler so that you’re not adding that extra heat to your home.
STAY COOL AND ENJOY SUMMER!
There are plenty of ways to stay cool and have fun this summer, both inside and outside of the home so you can beat the heat and make the most of the season ! Stay cool, stay comfortable, and enjoy every summer adventure.
Love these ideas! And our family is also a very grumpy & hangry family when we don’t have enough snacks, lol.