5 Ways to Keep Kids Cool

5 Ways to Keep Kids Cool 

We can’t complain about warm weather here in Minnesota, can we? We have to cherish every minute as the calendar turns to August. And we have the country’s largest State Fair to look forward to at the end of the month, though it appears we are still arguing with Texas about that honor. Chances are, no matter where you are, you will spend some of these waning summer days with Grandchildren. I had one day this week when I got out the blow-up pool to cool them off, and thought I’d start reading a new book. I ended up reading the first page nineteen times before giving up – might as well join in the fun!

Water Paint

Old paint brushes could work for detail painting of letters or pictures, but paint rollers and pans of cold water have entertained my Grands to no end! On your deck or driveway, the “painted” surface really looks like the kids have made their mark, and it’s ready for more “work” when it dries. “You missed a spot!” Water also adds intensity to any previous driveway chalk drawings.

Frozen Dinosaur Eggs

You could use any kind of small trinket that fits in the neck of a balloon, really. Stretch the neck to get the trinket into the body of the balloon. We have had a lot of laughter at Grandma losing control of a balloon in the filling – stretch the neck over the faucet and turn it on, carefully!! Tie a knot and put them in the deep freeze.

Homemade Freeze Pops

Did you know you can order Freeze-pop ZipLocks and make your own? Get the kids involved with fun combinations of frozen yogurt, juices, fruit and other add-ins. During cold and flu season, you can even make the Grands sore throat soothing Zipzicles (because they are probably with you when they are sick, right?!). We have the Ziplock ordering info and recipes at the link. The homemade fudgesicles are memory-making for kids and grown-ups. 

Sponge Necklace

This is how it goes when I’m making a project with my grandchildren ages 3 and almost 5. We made necklaces for cooling down with dollar store sponges and plastic twine left from beading. I decided I needed an awl to get through the sponges, G still couldn’t get the rope through, so she organized by color while Grandma threaded. Jack joined in, picked his pattern and got to it.

G switched to making critters out of sponges while Jack worked. Jack thought that looked fun, so he tried it too. Always lots of mileage in dollar store loot! We have also gathered strips of these sponges and tied them in the middle to make water bombs – fun in the pool or to wash Grandma’s car (another sly way to cool off!)

Water Beads

A packet of these costs $2.50 at Michael’s, and you’ll want a head start on soaking (though it is amazing for the kids to see that two tablespoons of tiny dry beads will expand in a few hours to fill an ice cream bucket. Do you think that could count as a science project?)

Water beads feel all cool, wet, and slimy and are so fun to play with. We put them in a cake pan with construction vehicles and small cups for filling and pouring. Ours have stayed hydrated for several weeks in the ice cream bucket. Mixing colors is fun but not necessary.

We have more waterworks ideas at www.Grandycamp.info. Grandmas are cool and Summer is a great time to teach that to the next generation! And have some fun.

Bio: Karen Ritz is a longtime children’s book author and illustrator. She has been chosen for the Society of Illustrators Show, had a book featured on Reading Rainbow, and has materials housed in the Children’s Literature Research Collection at the University of Minnesota.  Karen started GrandyCamp to share new creative adventures with her grandchildren, now three and five, after recognizing our new generation of grandparents are busy, active, probably still working, but always interested in creating memories. She lives, paints, and grandparents in St. Paul, Minnesota.