Current Events: Summer

Clever, Inventive and Sometimes Weird Ways to Keep Cool in the Sweltering Heat

Ice volcanos, ice baths, ice cream, water walls, water balloon baseball and more!

Are you sweltering in the summer heat or are you finding clever ways to keep cool? This year in particular has been a scorcher with record high temperatures and heat advisories around the country and even the world.

One simple walk from the car to the grocery store and the average person might have a burning desire to cannonball into someone’s swimming pool, and this doesn’t even take into account all the unfortunate folks who have jobs working outdoors.

Seriously, I truly feel sorry for them.

Here in the tropics of Trinidad and Tobago, of course, it’s always hot. It’s been especially humid this summer though during the rainy season. Walking outside during the afternoon on most days feels like taking a stroll inside a giant oven.

In the summer, it’s always a good idea for all of us to heed warnings, keep safe and stay cool with these safety tips from the American Red Cross. And, it’s also a great idea to keep a positive frame of mind and engage in a bit of thinking outside the cereal box to keep things fun.

Don’t know what I mean? Read on.

Have you tried, or would you try, any of the following?

1. The ice fan and the cereal box fan

Though the most obvious choice might be to invest in a good air conditioner, perhaps a person might not be able to afford it right now. However, this same person may have a fan and a ton of ice cube trays.

Freeze a bunch of ice, place it in a bowl with a little water and then place the bowl on a sturdy table between you and the fan.

Presto, you have a DYI air conditioner.

Believe it or not, I actually did try this one time many years ago and although it does sorta work for a temporary cool down, it’s really no substitute for air conditioning.

This suggestion was obtained from Weirdomatic.com writer Rick Johnson, who further suggests you can make a fan out of a cereal box and a popsicle stick or soak your feet in a kiddie pool:

“You’ll feel like you’re splashing around in the ocean…”

Ha ha, now that is funny, but hey perhaps it just might work for you.

2. Take an ice water bath

Talk about the ultimate polar bear plunge. Would you fill a bathtub with ice cubes — or perhaps ice cubes and water — and take a dip?

Taking into account there’s been much talk for years about the health benefits of cold-water plunges, including boosting the immune system, fighting depression and relieving muscle soreness, it may not be a bad idea at all.

However, I can’t say for sure myself if I would do this. A coolish shower works great for me usually. The ice bath might give me a freakin’ heart attack!!

This suggestion comes by way of the Samara Renee blog who provides 13 ways to beat the heat with such things as kayaking, paddle boarding and taking a dip in the ocean.

3. Water balloon fight

Fill a bunch of balloons with cool water and then have a blast tossing them at each other.

Could be a great way to cool down — or a great way to get sued if you decide to invite the neighbor kids — especially if you have rowdy brothers like mine growing up.

A less sue-happy method is this suggestion by Hella + Entertainment writer Lisa Freedman:

Fill a dozen water balloons and take turns throwing them high into the air over the driveway or sidewalk. Make sure they pop on impact because you’re competing to see who can make the biggest water splat. Use chalk to trace the outline of the watermark and determine who won.

Or better yet, as she further suggests, make ice cream treats like smoothies or ice cream sandwiches…

Ok, the ice cream sandwiches are my idea as she suggests the healthier alternative of the first choice. Smoothies are delish too, though.

4. Homemade ice cream

When I was a kid, everyone in my family loved making homemade ice cream in the summer. There was always a bit of squabbling going on though as everyone seemed to love maple nut except for me.

I always wanted chocolate but no one else in my family seemed to like that choice. How does this stuff happen?

However, why not go for an even more inventive and delicious flavor like blueberry, peach, pumpkin, rhubarb, cream cheese, mint chip, hazelnut, sweet corn or “Pink Peppercorn and Saké Ice Cream” with recipes available from Taste of Home.

Yum!

5. Water baseball and slip and slides

Filling up water balloons and using them to play baseball sounds like fun. When the bat hits the balloon, there’s a huge spray of water.

Dang, so wish I could go back and be a kid again, don’t you?

A homemade slip and slide sounds like a blast as well if you follow the directions from Airhead.com:

The only things you need are plastic sheeting, or a tarp, and weights to hold it down. You could even use pool noodles to add edges to the slide. Simply add running water from a hose and spend the day having fun and staying cool!”

Just don’t forget to use your melon at all times: use sunscreen and follow safety precautions and guidelines for whatever activity you are engaging in.

For instance, learn how to keep yourself safe while using slip and slides.

I do remember that my mother would not let us use slip and slides when I was growing up back in the 80s as there had been a number of horrendous accidents that occurred while using them.

I think if people use caution though it can be fun.

6. Ice cube paints, ice volcanos and water walls

Having kids around in the summer can be too much fun and a great excuse for us adults to engage in childhood fun as well. I enjoy my daughter’s company immensely now that she’s an adult, don’t get me wrong, but I do also so miss her when she was little and all the little kid games we used to play!

If you have kids, there are plenty of things you can keep them busy with that will also help keep them cool. Jamie at Hands on as We Grow has 39 suggested activities for kids using water and ice, such as making ice cube paints by freezing watercolors or other washable paints.

Clever!

She also provides links to other parent websites with more suggestions, like playing water balloon basketball or making an ice volcano.

I thought this last suggestion, which is a modified version of the old standby science project for school, was pretty ingenious. The idea comes from Lorie at Reading Confetti:

“All you need for this play recipe is baking soda, water, vinegar, and food coloring. The supplies you need for making ice volcanoes are small bowls, balls that will sink, plastic wrap, and some room in the freezer.”

Or, if you are up for a task that calls for a little more time, creativity and construction, create this water wall from Jackie at Happy Hooligans.

7. Indoor scavenger hunt and other indoor activities

There are many fun things you can do indoors to keep kids busy as well. When I was a kid, my friends and I loved making indoor forts and going on scavenger hunts. We also played office and dress-up and a zillion other games… oh, to be a kid again!

That’s why I loved these 40 indoor activities by Real Simple writers Jennifer Benjamin and Maggie Seaver:

“Create a list of things to find, making the clues as tricky or straightforward as you like… a quick internet search for “indoor scavenger hunt clues” will give you fun templates and inspiration to steal from.”

More suggestions from this article include playing an indoor version of hide and seek, indoor gardening and going ice skating.

Oh yes, this reminded me of how much I loved our local indoor ice-skating rink when my own daughter was growing up.

What about you? What are you doing to keep cool during this hot summer?

Please note: I’m not affiliated with any of the websites mentioned.