Staying Cool in the Summer Heat

This is the time of year that most of us are ready for some cooler weather, especially in Arizona. It’s our hottest summer on record in the Valley of the Sun and while we’ve had a few evening thunderstorms I know we still have a good month and a half before we have real relief.

With COVID still an issue, finding things to keep the kids–and parents–entertained is a challenge. The swimming pool starts to get old because swimming also means being outside. And it’s HOT.

Here are just some of the things we’ve been doing in our family or have done in the past. No matter where you live, most of these are great options for entertainment–pretty much any time of year!

Hiking in cooler temperatures

We’ve been heading up north a lot and finding fun places to hike. Sedona is a good option for Phoenicians, along with Oak Creek, Payson and Flagstaff. Anywhere where you can find water and pine trees will get you in cooler weather! You can also get out to the mountains before sunrise in the valley.

Home renovations

I’ve been watching some friends redo their bathrooms, paint their living rooms, refinish kitchen cabinets and even rip up carpet to replace with tile. We’re spending so much more time in our homes than normal, making us realize all the things we can do to make them more fun or more relaxing to be in.

Arts and crafts

Kids love to get crafty, and there’s no shortage of crafts kids can do on their own–or with a parent. Molly has gotten the rainbow loom back out and has been making bracelets and necklaces like crazy! You can also invest in a fun paint by numbers project or some blank canvases to free paint. Latch hook and needlepoint are also fun ideas.

Old games and puzzles

Sometimes rotating toys makes it feel like you’ve been shopping. If you have a puzzle or board game you haven’t played with in a while, it might be fun to dig it out. Or that pile of old toys you’ve been meaning to donate to Goodwill? Pull it out and see if your kids are interested in them again. If they’re bored enough with what they’ve been playing with, those toys might just have a few more weeks of life in them!

Do something for others

It’s always nice to be able to give back to others in whatever way you can. Babysitting, making a meal for a neighbor or baking a sweet treat are all ways to make someone else’s day a little bit brighter–so long as you’re being safe. If you choose to babysit, be sure to have a conversation with the other family about measures they’re taking to stay COVID-free.

As the last weeks of summer weather drag on, you may need to get creative about how you’re spending your time so you don’t keep hearing the old, “I’m bored.” From your kids or inside your own head!