We are now officially in the Dog Days of Summer (July 3rd – August 11th). This means that we are battling hot, sultry heat – and that can make adventures not so fun. My goal is to help you and your family get outdoors as much as possible and adventure! With these tips, you’ll be able to do just that AND beat the heat!
Planning Your Summer Family Adventure
Summertime is the perfect time to get outside and explore! There is so much greenery, color, and adventure – but when the hot gets hotter, you definitely want to take precautions to stay safe and healthy! When you are outside in the heat, your internal temperature rises and if not controlled, you can experience heat rash, heat exhaustion, and even heat stroke. This is BOTH for you as a parent and your children. With proper planning though, you and your family will be charting new worlds together this summer!
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Hydrate to Stay Cool
The first thing on your list for your adventures is going to be water. You need to make sure yourself and your kiddos are hydrated! When we head out, I always pack my RTIC Water Bottles, they are lightweight and easy to carry wherever we go. It also keeps our water incredible cold while we are out in the heat – and when you start getting hot, there is nothing more refreshing than having a cold drink of water!
*Note: When I was breastfeeding and going on family adventures, hydration was crucial to keep my supply up. Between the activity and sweating, it is incredibly easy to have a drop in supply which can be a stressful situation. Make sure to bring adequate water for yourself if you are breastfeeding!
Adventure Away from the Sun
When the sun is up and the heat is high, the best place to adventure is out of the sun! So what do you do!? You find a shady spot to go exploring. I am in tick country (Missouri) so we usually put on our sunscreen and bug spray and head to the woods! Many of our local parks and state parks have paves trails through the woods and forests, and in those situations, as long as you stay on the path, you can avoid using the bug spray. You can still find all sorts of incredible things on a paved trail! If you are going off the beaten path, more power to you! Be mindful to do a thorough tick check when you get home.
*Backyard Adventure Idea: Find a shady spot in your yard, neighborhood, or local park and have a picnic. It is so much fun to put a blanket out and eat a cold snack (popsicle, chilled fruits, salads, etc), read a book, and explore around you. My kids love to lay on the blanket and watch the clouds!
Avoid the Peak Hours for Heat
The hottest portion of the day runs from 11am to 2pm. These are great times to NOT be out in the heat and if you are, to take extra precautions to stay cool! I plan my kids lunch and naptimes in the timeframe to help keep them regulated. We also make it an effort to get up early during the summer so that they kids can have extra time outside (I’m talking, my kids get up before 7am). If we plan to go hiking or to do an adventure that has a lot of movement and exertion, we make sure to plan those during the coolest part of the day – the morning!
Pro tip: water your garden in the morning! This helps your plants considerably to help them stay hydrated during the intense heat and it is a great activity to get your kids involved in. Usually our watering session turn into water play – so the excitement starts first thing in the day!
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Use Water to Stay Cool
Getting wet is one of the best ways to stay cool – and this will help if you are out during the peak hours of the day! You don’t have to have a pool to do this either. Playing at the pool is always fun but incorporating a splash pad, water guns, and even a water table makes it easy to stay cool – and it is crazy fun for mom and dad to get in on. Another thing that I love to do is find a trail that has water on it! You can go explore streams, swim in watering holes, and explore along the banks of a lake. Not only will the adventure go on but you will stay cool and connected to nature. If you are out during the peak hours, be vigilant about reapplying sunscreen. Be sure to use a Mineral Sunscreen – it is a healthier option for both your family and the environment.
Dress for the Heat
This may seem like a no brainer but you would be surprised as to how heavy some summer apparel is! Find an outfit for everyone that is light and airy, and avoid dark colors. The sun loves dark colors and you’ll heat up quicker than a hotdog in a microwave. If you are wearing short sleeves or sleeveless tops, remember to use your sunscreen to avoid a nasty sunburn! If you are planning on being in direct sunlight, opt for the clothing that has UV protection. I have found a great selection of summer apparel for the whole family at Cabelas and Bass Pro. It is an easy one stop shop and provides a fashionable way to stay cool. Remember, lightweight, airy, and UV Protection.
Indoor Adventures
If the heat is just too hot, because sometimes it is, opt-inside! Take time at home to have an adventure. We like to make different popsicles and summer treats. We also take more time on our worksheets, arts and crafts, and STEM projects for our nature schooling! Another adventure we like to have is bird watching – set a bird feeder outside of your window and see what types of birds are coming through (birds migrate and you can have different birds at different times of the year). You can also set out into your community and explore museums, an indoor play place, and honestly, one of my favorites, go to the movies! While screentime is limited in our house, going to the movie theater is a huge family event that we all love.
Let me know how you liked the list and if you think that anything should be added on! For more tips. tricks, and family adventure you can follow me on Instagram and Pinterest.
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