During these hot months, it’s important to stay cool and hydrated, but children are often too busy having fun to think about stopping for a drink. Of course, in the hot weather, it is also important to conserve water where possible, as North Texas is no stranger to drought. Here are a few fun activities you can try with your children to help them enjoy the sunshine safely, without using more water than you need to.
1. Frozen Toys
Help your children stay cool in the sun by freezing small toys inside ice. Be sure to check that the toys you use are suitable for the age group of the children you’re planning for. Place toys like figurines inside ice-cube trays, and top off the trays with water. When the cubes are frozen, show your children that as the ice melts, it reveals a fun surprise!
2. Spray-Bottle Tag
Another way to have fun in the sun and stay cool at the same time is to play spray-bottle tag. Fill a clean spray-bottle with cold water, and decide who will be “It.” “It” can tag others by spraying them with water from the bottle. Your backyard will be filled with the squeals of happy kids in no time!
3. Sponge Races
Fill up a large bucket with water, and place several sponges next to it. Then place a number of smaller containers a few feet away from the bucket. Challenge your children to fill up the containers by soaking the sponges in the bucket and wringing them out into the containers – but fast! The child who fills their container first is the winner.
4. Outdoor Baths
Even babies and very young children can have fun with water on a hot day. While they may not be able to take part in games with the older children, you can still make the most of the warm weather by giving them their baths outdoors. Supervise them playing and splashing in shallow water, then finish up with their usual bathing routine.
5. Guess the Flavor
It is important for your children to stay hydrated in the hot weather. To encourage them to drink enough, flavor glasses of water with refreshing foods like mint leaves, slices of cucumber, berries, or other fruits. Blindfold your children, and encourage them to taste each glass of water and try to guess the flavors.
When it comes to water activities, the only limit is your imagination. If you have a sprinkler or hose, why not combine watering your garden with games such as jumping through the water jets or playing limbo using the hose water as the limbo pole. All this fun benefits your plumbing system as well, since hot weather can excessively dry out the ground, causing pipes and foundations to settle and put a significant strain on your plumbing. Avoid costly damage by keeping the ground moist, and have fun in the sun with your family at the same time!