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It's the battle you fight of summer boredom, and getting the family off their devices and outside to enjoy the summer fun. But you always get a "It's too Hot!" or "We can go, but we'll only be outside for 15 minutes." stuff and that get's frustrating for the people who try to plan (me included) fun summer things to do, but nobody wants to leave their ipad/phones behind.
You tell them "We're getting outside and we're going to do __________." But what is it? How can you make it fun and keep everyone cool at the same time? I found a few ideas that might keep you from pulling your hair out.
Here are some of the best ways I found to help keep your family cool, and how to do it on the cheap.
Pajama Morning Movies
Shift the play time to early morning. Now it's not outside, but it is a little cooler inside when you shift the hours of play to early, have some breakfast, watch cartoons in the AC...keep them cool and not on the devices.
Water Balloon Baseball
This is one I forgot about. You get wet, and outside, and before the fighting happens about the "Rules" you'll at least have a little fun.
Box Fan Forts
My kid builds forts all of the time. She has a special place she reads her books and builds forts. So why not level it up, put a fan at the end, and let the imagination go crazy as you keep them crazy cool. Works for me.
DIY Snow Cones
Make everyone happy and keep them cool. Don't have a way to crush the ice for your DIY Snow Cones? Get a zip lock bag, pop some ice in there and then whack away. Put your favorite soda, sports drink or whatever you want for everyone. Kick it up a notch with booze parents if you like and it's the right time.
Ice Cream For Dinner
This is MY favorite. When it's hot, and you're over salads, and other stuff you've been using to keep your temp down, the answer is always ice cream.
Ice cream for dinner is the BEST. Build a topping bar, and let everyone make their own dinner. Downside? The family might be away for the next week from all the sugar. So do this at your own risk lol.