Keeping Kids Cool this Summer

It finally feels as though Summer is here which means it won't be long until the kids (and us!) start feeling the heat and getting a little bit grumpy!

We've put together some fun hacks to keep cool in the heat this Summer, along with some top safety tips.

Play Car Wash

Water activities are always a winner on a warm day, and surprisingly easy for the amount of time it keeps the kids occupied! Take some bowls of water, some sponges and toy cars and figures, and let the kids have fun pretending to clean the cars up in the sun.

Homemade Water Gun

Make a small hole on the top of a water bottle and fill with water so they can squirt each other without needing to purchase water guns.

Make DIY Sponge Water Bombs

Simply take thin kitchen sponges found in a supermarket, and cut them into strips lengthways. Take two rows of four long strips, and tie them in the middle with string or an elastic band. Fluff up your sponge strips, and dunk in water! 

A good water fight is always a great way to spend a hot day. These sponge water bombs are easy to make, reusable and will not hurt when thrown!

Image via: AllFreeKidsCrafts.com

Teething and Sensory Toys

Keep the babies teething and sensory toys in the fridge for cooling their teeth and hands down on a hot Summers day.

Keeping Bedrooms Cool

Warm air can get easily trapped in bedrooms during the day, making bedtimes uncomfortable. In the day, keep blinds and curtains closed to keep things dark and cool until bedtime.

A cold flannel by the bed can also help little ones when feeling too warm: placing on the back of the neck can relieve feelings of being overheated. 

Safety Tips for a Heatwave:

Keep it covered with UPF clothing

A mixture of a traditional SPF and additional coverage of UPF rating clothing is a perfect combo to keep safe in the sun. As well as having a UPF 50 rating, our Summer Hats also feature fabric that keeps little ones heads at a perfect temperature - so no more sweaty hat hair!

For babies under 6 months direct sun is not recommended at all. For any baby and child older than that, it’s best not to be in the full sun at the hottest point of the day (usually from around 11am-3pm). So find a shady spot and a hat!

Use an SPF

Using a good SPF is vital, even when taking extra precautions of UPF clothing and shade. If you’re at the beach, don’t be fooled by the breeze - the sun's rays can still cause damage! If you’re going in water, it’s best to reapply any SPF, and otherwise reapply SPF every two hours. 

Stay Hydrated

Make sure to increase water intake on hot days to avoid kids feeling unwell and dehydrated. Hydrating foods like cucumber and watermelon are another good way of ensuring a little extra hydration during hot days, and a perfect excuse for a picnic!

What are your favourite hot day activities for keeping the kids happy? Get in touch on social media and tell us about all the fun you're having this Summer!