what do you so with the lo's when it's to hot to play outside?!? - Page 2

[dauphinette]

I totally agree on the idea that some parts of country just don't understand how hot it really gets down here and for how long and it IS a saftey issue.

Thanks for the great ideas for indoor play I will start an at home craft closet, I think.  I don't know why I haven't already, laziness I guess.  Thanks!

Originally Posted by NiteNicole 

I hear ya, OP, I'm on the north shore and it's HOT up here, too.  I think people who don't live here or in similar hot climates don't really understand that a few 100 degree days are manageable, three to four months of them are a whole other thing.  At some point, it's not safe to be out in that heat.  A few years ago we made a little day trip in July and we realized at some point, no one had been to the bathroom in HOURS even though we were draining water bottles like crazy.  That's just not safe.

My daughter loves:

play doh

water color - I have a big thing of washable paints, several different brushes, and a few clear cups for the water.  I put a beach towel (or three) down on the table and chair and let her go.  She likes mixing colors in the water as much as she likes painting. Cheap paper plates make good painting surfaces.

also gluing anything to anything else is a huge it

and tape - she loves plain ol' tape, a three pack is a few days of entertainment

I always keep craft pom poms, elmer's glue, googly eyes, some sequins/buttons type things, pipe cleaners, paper plates, and yarn.  She can usually think of something to do with them by herself. 

There's also this thing where you mix equal parts water and corn starch - use a big container so she has plenty of room.  It looks like a liquid and will flow through your fingers but feels like a sold if you slap it or poke at it in the container.  Just mix it till you get a consistency she likes to play with. 

We also have a kid's yoga DVD (the one we have is really cheesy, I'm sure there are better ones out there).  She doesn't always do the whole thing but she likes to watch it and will do most of it.  She asks for it often.

That's all I can think of right off.  I hope some of that helps.

[dauphinette]

great idea on the library books for preschoolers activities ideas, thanks, I will be on that :)

 

Originally Posted by earthworm 

Like the previous poster, we have yoga DVDs (ok, we just keep checking them out from the library) and the cornstarch + water thing is a huge hit!

If you have a room where you can safely play with water, I sometimes set out bowls or old pots and pans with soapy water in them and we wash different toys.

We play with uncooked rice. Sometimes I will bury small toys and they will find them.

And since it's hot, you can make "recycled crayons" by melting broken pieces of old crayons in a muffin tin with liners.

You could also check to see if your library has books with different toddler or preschool activity ideas. That's where we get a lot of the things we do.

I wish I could think of more things, but I am sick and having trouble thinking!

ETA: I like this site for simple, cheap ideas: Magical Childhood

[peaceful_mama]

swimming.  Lots and lots and lots of swimming.  And did I mention that we like to go swimming?  :)  we have a couple pools here that have a big sand pit with water faucets too, my kids LOVE those and of course the sand's not hot like the park sandboxes.

for sunscreen---I have yet to try this out in the water, but I've done 2 days now with coconut oil on myself--I'm really fair skinned, and I have not burned.

[Angelas001]

I take my two boys to The Music Playhouse- they're in Nashville, Chicago and Indy. It's a weekly music class that I attend with them, I love it because it's mixed age so it's one class for both of my kids (currently 2 and 4yo, but they have newborns to 5yo). Besides the weekly class you get a cd of their GREAT music and are encouraged to listen and do the activities at home daily. My boys love it, we've collected a box of instruments similar to class and they have their own 'class' at home with me and daddy. Their favorite is to have a marching band through the house.

It's great, quality music, which is good because it WILL get stuck in your head.  It's not just fun- an early introduction to all types of music improves their musical abilities later in life too.

[revolting]

We have no AC, so it's often too hot to be inside!

[dauphinette]

Originally Posted by peaceful_mama 

swimming.  Lots and lots and lots of swimming.  And did I mention that we like to go swimming?  :)  we have a couple pools here that have a big sand pit with water faucets too, my kids LOVE those and of course the sand's not hot like the park sandboxes.

for sunscreen---I have yet to try this out in the water, but I've done 2 days now with coconut oil on myself--I'm really fair skinned, and I have not burned.

I am actually thinking of joining some sort of swimming/athletic club for this purpose.

And on the coconut oil I will def. try it, so cool if that would be just another thing to add to the list of the magical uses of coconut oil, lol.
 

[eelownes]

I live in Memphis, TN (Delta region) and it is hot hot hot here! Three days a week she is at the Natural Learning Center, but the other days are up to me. We spend a lot of time at the pool, but what if you don't have a pool available? Try cooling off at your local art museum or gallery? Or how about doing some interactive music lessons or theater? They incorporate the kids into their programing and they get exercise without being overheated. It is good for their little developing brains as well. Stay cool mama! 

[poetlizabeth]

If your looking for some good art activities, you might want to invest in a book of activities. I have quite a few since I am a teacher, but also find them helpful when entertaining my five year old. I recommend anything by Mary Ann Khol.

http://www.brightring.com/

[Piratelady2525]

This is interesting...makes a person wonder what everyone did, long ago, when there was no air conditioning?  Especially those who lived in the south, super hot and humid climates?  We are pretty well trained to seek out A/C now.  DS (15 months) loves to be outside running around more than anything, and happily, has not cared one bit about the 100 degree heat right now.  I just make sure he is covered with sunscreen, hat, etc, and drinks a lot of water.  We play in the sprinkler, swim, or just spray each other with the hose while watering plants, and he never gets overheated. 

If possible, try running your errands during the hottest part of the day, or as previously suggested, save the indoor activities for that time. 

[dauphinette]

totally makes me wonder the same and if anyone has an idea please let me know.  I have been on the path of downsizing my LO's entertainment load, so to speak, ie. we have cut back screen time by 90%, have been trying to gear our days less around "how can i keep dd entertained" and more "what needs to get done for the home/family etc. and if dd wants to do something else on her own great, if not she can work with me.  But up until recently a lot of that time was spent in the garden.  Now it's kinda hot to spend the whole day in the unshaded garden patch and the plants dont need much tending at this point so I have been trying to figure out how to keep dd entertained without entertaining her, lol.  I want to be able to offer her ideas of things to do while I am homemaking. 

I did go get some activity books from the library as one mom said and that was a great idea. 

 

Originally Posted by Piratelady2525 

This is interesting...makes a person wonder what everyone did, long ago, when there was no air conditioning?  Especially those who lived in the south, super hot and humid climates?  We are pretty well trained to seek out A/C now.  DS (15 months) loves to be outside running around more than anything, and happily, has not cared one bit about the 100 degree heat right now.  I just make sure he is covered with sunscreen, hat, etc, and drinks a lot of water.  We play in the sprinkler, swim, or just spray each other with the hose while watering plants, and he never gets overheated. 

If possible, try running your errands during the hottest part of the day, or as previously suggested, save the indoor activities for that time.