Even though the cool, rainy weather of the spring is lulling us into a false sense of security about the
intensity of what’s to come, it will soon be necessary to find ways to beat the heat. But if you don’t
have the funds to load up the family and head to a big theme park, then you’ll need some ways to
cool off in your own backyard.
Here are a few ideas to stay cool without spending a lot:
1. Visit a local swimming pool
Many of the newer neighborhood developments include swimming pools as a part of their community
planning. This means that there might already be a pool nearby that your HOA fees are funding. If you
don’t have a neighborhood swimming pool, then find a friend who has one in their backyard or
nearby.
And if you can’t find a neighborhood pool, then a pool at the local community center might be just the
ticket. They usually have great summer hours and cost a lot less than a theme park.
2. Visit a splash pad
Splash pads are a great idea for kids of any age. They get the chance to play in the water without
having to worry about water wings or lifejackets. And the best part about these neighborhood gems is
that they are completely free. You can’t beat that.
3. Set up a sprinkler
Who doesn’t remember the simple joy of running through the sprinkler as a child? If you don’t already
have one, they are pretty inexpensive to buy. But if you’d rather not have to purchase a new sprinkler
just so your kids can run through it, then have them help you make one using a plastic bottle .
4. Get out the water balloons
Water balloons were great when you were a kid, and with the help of Pinterest, you can find
hundreds of ways to play with them. From learning to do math , to practicing ninja skills , to pretending
to be your favorite Disney characters , these water-filled “toys” are full of possibilities.
But if you’d rather not have a thousand balloon pieces to pick up at the end of the day, then try
making these sponge bombs . We used them at my son’s birthday party and the kids had a blast. They
get everyone super wet and they last a long time.
There’s fun to be had even when you can’t make it to the water park. Try some of these ideas and
make some memories while you beat the heat.
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Jessa is the Editor-in-Chief of Hooray for Family and the mom of three energetic children. She has a BA in Mass Communication/Journalism from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and is a long-time resident of Central Texas. When she isn't writing and editing, she enjoys playing board games with her kids, teaching Sunday school and channeling her creativity into craft projects.
