This summer is going to be an interesting one. Some pools aren’t opening, while others have strict capacity rules that will make it harder, if not outright impossible, to just drop by on a hot day for a refreshing dip with the kiddos.
If your pool is closed or you don’t belong to a pool, here are a few ways to have fun and stay cool during the dog days of summer.
Splash Pads
Until recently, it wasn’t clear whether local splash pads would be opening. But several are already open and others are planning to open soon. Check out our guide on local splash pads to find one near you, and check online before going to make sure it’s open.
Water Balloons
Water balloons are the perfect way to stay cool and have fun this summer. You can find rapid-fill ones pretty easily online, but if you want to avoid extra waste, consider crocheted water “balloons” made from yarn. The yarn soaks up the water easily, so when you throw one you’ll soak your intended victim. The great thing about crochet water balloons is that you can wash them and reuse them over and over again rather than contributing empty rubber balloons to the landfill. Here’s a good tutorial to get you started, or you can search homemade sites like Etsy to find some ready-made if crocheting isn’t your thing.
Sprinklers
Sprinklers are an easy way to keep the kids (and yourself) entertained this hot summer. We got a regular garden sprinkler for cheap that the kids can run through, but you can also buy sprinklers specifically designed for kids. If you’re planning a socially-distanced summer, you could buy a variety of sprinklers to make your very own backyard splash pad!
Baby Pools
Baby pools are hard to come by right now since pretty much everyone wants one this summer. Ours has seen better days but it’s good enough for my kids (5 and 2) to splash around in. You can go as wild as you want with baby pools; a basic plastic one will work for younger kiddos but you can get huge inflatables with slides and climbing walls if you want to create your own water park.
Water Tables
Water tables are perfect for most ages, from babies up. I got a well-loved one for free from a friend and added some cheap bath toys for my kids to play with, but you can get some pretty fancy ones if you want to splurge a little. Like baby pools, water tables are selling out fast with parents around the country trying to find fun ways to keep their kids occupied and cool this summer, so if you find one you like, it’s a good idea to jump on it fast.
What other ideas do you have for water fun this summer? As the parent of two water babies, I’d love to hear some new ideas!
