Northern Illinois seems to have morphed into a sauna over the last few days, and my kids are starting to get a little stir crazy. They don’t understand that extreme heat is just as dangerous 
as extreme cold, and that during the afternoon hours, playing outside isn’t a good idea. All they see are the blue skies and green grass, and they want a piece of the fun.
I know it’s disappointing to the kids that they can’t be outside all day, but I’d rather endure some whining than have the heat make my endlessly energetic boys get sick. We still get outside, but it’s in the morning and evening when the sun isn’t at its strongest. During the day, I’ve been trying to make the indoor play a little more interesting and summer-themed since the boys are aching to be outside.
In the morning while outside playing with the hubz, I turn the dining room furniture into a massive tent with some old tablecloths and sheets. I put a few books and toys under there and when they come in, I hand them each their Halloween flashlights so they can camp in. They see it as a new adventure every day.
We’ve also been experimenting with making homemade ice pops. I picked up a couple of ice pop molds from the local dollar store. In the morning before they head outside, they take turns pouring the leftover juice from breakfast into the mold and I mark each of theirs with a different color of curling ribbon tied around the handle. They think it’s pretty cool that they’ve made their own treat, and I’m happy that its a healthy and refreshing snack.
The kids have also been enjoying afternoon baths in the jacuzzi tub. I throw in some blue bath fizzers so the water looks like it’s straight from the Caribbean. They put on their swim trunks and sunglasses and splash around together. It’s funny to watch them act like they’re on some tropical vacation together.
As much as I’d like to hang outside with my boys all summer long, sometimes high temperatures keep us indoors. But with a little extra effort, my kids can enjoy plenty of summer fun, even when they’ve got to stay in for safety’s sake.
What are some of your family’s favorite indoor summer activities?
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