This ‘BeattheHeat: Fun Games, Toys & Accessories for Hot Summer Days’ post contains Amazon affiliate links. As always, all opinions are my own.
Beat the Heat: Fun Games, Toys, Accessories, & Ideas for Hot Summer Days
How has your summer been so far? We’ve still got over a month to go before the new school year and we’re trying to enjoy every minute. BUT, that’s not to say the “I don’t know what to do” and “I’m bored” haven’t hit our house either!
With record-breaking heat waves sweeping across the U.S., keeping kids cool and entertained is no small task for parents, caregivers, and grandparents. Especially if you’re trying to stay as screen-free as possible. So we’ve rounded up a list of the ultimate kid-friendly essentials: from engaging books, toys, and games perfect for indoor play to stylish summer apparel, in hopes of helping everyone to survive the summer heat.
So Many Great Ways To Beat The Heat:
We’ve been incorporating a variety of fun into our summer and here are just a few ideas to help you finish out the year with a bang! And while we do have one screen activity, when I tell you all about it, you’ll understand why it had to be included!
1) Hit Up The Local Lakes/Beaches
Thankfully, we have a small beach just 5 minutes down the road from us. It’s not the greatest but it’s close. A positive about it being small is that it’s fairly easy to keep track of everyone and, if we go on a weekday, we almost always have the place to ourselves! Plus, they have a playground and basketball court on site too.
2) Madame Alexander Baby Dolls
If you’ve got a kiddo like mine, there aren’t enough babies in the world! Ruby absolutely adores caring for her dolls and treats them just like real babies (most of the time….. Every once in awhile you’ll find one in a precarious position such as hanging half way off the bed.) Madame Alexander has so many awesome dolls and sets that you’re sure to find the perfect one(s) to keep your kids busy. And taking care of dolls is great practice for when our kids grow up and become moms and dads! Check out two of our favorite sets below.
14-Inch Sweet Smiles Baby Doll
This 14-Inch doll comes complete with highchair and bib for feeding fun. Since Ruby loves to play-act all the things she’s seen me do with our foster baby, this doll set was a great choice for her. The included accessories really increase playability and imaginative fun. She especially loves how a little doll high chair helps her care and feed her baby anywhere and everywhere. It’s super portable and easy to use. —Buy It On Amazon
Splash and Play Cuties 8-Inch Doll
Just the right size for a trip to the beach or bath time play, the Splash and Play Cuties lineup is fully submersible and they even float! When playtime is over, just hang up to drip dry. Each style comes with a wash mitt, hooded towel, floaty ring, and duck toy. The smaller size helps save on room, especially when taking along to the local pool while also being easy for little hands to hold and play with. And we love the adorable accessories that are included too! — Buy It At MadameAlexander.com
3) Mindware Aqua Maze Marble Run
Keeping with the water theme, have you ever heard of an Aqua Maze? Encourage the little engineers in your family with this awesome building set. It’s a wet and wild marble ride that’s sure to blow traditional marble runs—and science toys for kids—out of the water. From vertical drops and a vortex to spinners and spouts, kids can get their feet wet in the basic principles of physics. The buoyant marbles keep the wonder afloat and a waterproof play mat makes cleanup a breeze. (Or just do it outside and you won’t even have to worry!) — Buy It At Mindware.OrientalTrading.com
4) Art-chitect Landscape Designer for Kids
A friend of mine just shared some pictures of creations her 12 year old son made that would impress engineers and architectures everywhere! So it got me thinking that I should find some fun and creative ways to encourage my kids to explore those skills. That’s where this Art-chitect Landscape Design set comes in! It provides kids the chance to explore the world of landscape architecture while fostering creativity and drawing skills through hands-on play. It encourage spatial awareness, planning, artistic expression, and problem-solving – all while having fun! This must have kit is geared for ages 8 and up and would also be fun to explore together with your child. — Buy It On Amazon
5) Check Out Your Local Splash Pads
I’ll say that while splash pads are probably geared more for the 6 and under crowd, even our almost 11 year old has a great time at them as long as we bring friends! I definitely also suggest bringing along a variety of toys to ‘beef up the play’ though. Our favorites are: bucket, squirt blasters, measuring cups, and balls.
6) Hello Kitty: Day at the Park Deluxe Retail Edition
Take a break for some indoor play on a hot day. This game features a unique system to scale all parts of the game in difficulty for each individual player, even while the game is in progress. This means kids can start with the simplest version and begin to explore the game’s mechanisms, then learn the more advanced gameplay when they feel ready. This super fun deluxe version features extra cards, characters, and a 3D figure. Players can take on the role of Hello Kitty, My Melody, Keroppi, or other beloved characters to playfully compete for the most epic day of fun at the local park. With a modular board & ever-changing gameplay, Hello Kitty: Day at the Park offers endless replayability. The expandable nature of the game allows for new adventures & challenges, keeping players entertained for hours on end. — Buy It At MaestroMedia.com
7) The Greatest Stuff on Earth Book
Summer fun doesn’t mean we throw all reading and learning out the window. Instead, we incorporate really cool books like The Greatest Stuff on Earth. Ever think about all the stuff around you—what you breathe, eat, wear, and use daily? The Greatest Stuff on Earth by Steve Tomecek and John Devolle explores how this stuff works, from energy transforming into matter (and vice versa) to the processes powering stars, engines, and even living beings like grass, bacteria, and humans. — Buy It On Amazon
9) Open Wide!: Jaw-Dropping Mouths Of The Animal World
Explore the most marvelous mouths of the animal kingdom, from the awesome jaws of the great white shark to the tiny teeth of the garden snail. Some animals sport tongues that are longer than their bodies, others have super-sticky spit that can speedily snare an insect snack. And animals use their mouths for lots of things other than just eating–to carry their food or their babies, to build their homes, or even to climb waterfalls! Join scientist and author Letizia Diamante to discover some of the most important animal body parts that are often overlooked, even though they’re right under our noses. — Buy It On Amazon
10) The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Travel Matching Game
Summertime can often mean hours spent in the car, whether going on a road trip or just driving to visit friends. This The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Travel Matching Game is an easy way to keep kids ages 3 and up entertained. Mess free, this set includes one game board and six double-sided game cards. Featuring Eric Carle’s beloved Very Hungry Caterpillar and friends along with other iconic artwork, the cards display both travel and nature themed items. The best part is you can enjoy the game over and over, no matter where your travels take you. — Buy It At BarnesAndNoble.com
11) Baby and Kid’s UV Protection Sun Suit
While enjoying all the fun that summer has to offer, be sure to dress your babies and toddlers in a Stonz Sun Suit. These full-length zip up one-piece suits are perfect for helping little ones soak up the sun safely, minimizing the risk of sunburn. Designed for comfort, Stonz sun suits feature soft, stretchy fabric and breathable sides, allowing your child to play comfortably all day long without overheating. The sun suit is also easy to get on and off, and can be used both in the water and out! It’s truly perfect for any outing, whether it’s the pool, beach, waterpark, or a picnic, plus the fun prints and colors stay vibrant wash after wash. — Buy It At Stonz.com
12) Parks Are So Much Fun TOO!
I spy a Stonz Sun Suit! Because, yes, we truly do LOVE and wear them often!
Of course, there are always lots of free or reasonably priced parks and playgrounds to visit! Try crowd-sourcing your Facebook friends and see if you can discover some new ones in your area or close by. We’ve found some pretty amazing ones this way! But it’s always an adventure checking out the different play areas nearby. We also love packing a picnic lunch and making a day of our adventures!
13) Nex Playground – The Active Play System for Kids & Families Where Indoor Physical Activity Meets Interactive Family Fun
This is no ordinary gaming system here! The Nex Playground easily connects to your TV and turns screen time into active family playtime with five included games and an optional subscription with games like Fruit Ninja, Whack-a-Mole, and Go Keeper. With simple, natural gestures and no extra sensors or clunky wearables, everyone can jump right in – from ages 5 and up. (Although we’ve had 2 and 3 year olds also playing some games with ease.) Expand your game library with either a quarterly play pass or a yearly play pass for unlimited access to their whole collection of games. Check out my full Nex Playground review over here. — Buy It On Amazon
So tell me, what fun activities have you been doing to beat the heat this summer?
I’m a city girl turned country by my awesome husband and we have three busy boys and two darling daughters. I love spending time with my family, reading Karen Kingsbury novels, and catching up with friends while our kiddos have play dates. I’m blessed beyond measure and can’t wait to see what God has in store.
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