5 Ways to Beat the Heat with Kids this Summer

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Netflix.

Last week we experienced a bit of a heat wave here in Oregon. Those of you in legitimately hot parts of the country may laugh when I tell you that a "heat wave" here constitutes anything above 90 degrees. And I'm not being overly dramatic. Once the thermometer climbs above 89, I feel like I'm in an oven and about 2 minutes away from melting.

Whether a "heat wave" to you is 89 or a 109 degrees, here are five great ways to beat the heat with kids this summer:

Frozen Treats

Help keep kids cool by serving frozen treats. They can even be healthy! We prefer making our own popsicles to buying them at the store. Not only does it save money, but the popsicles we make can have legitimate nutritional value when made with fresh fruits and veggies. Try making green lemonade and freezing in popsicle molds or freezing blueberries on skewers.

Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is especially important in hot weather. You lose water throughout the day anyway but this is especially accelerated in hot weather. Keep yourself and your kids hydrated with water and other beverages. Use a cool water bottle (water bottle pictured is this robot drinking bottle from Crocodile Creek) to motivate them to drink more or serve tasty beverages like iced tea or green lemonade (as long as the beverage isn't artificially sweetened, it counts toward water intake!).

Be Strategic about Outdoor Time

In general, it will be coolest in the morning and evening and the hottest in the middle of the day.  Spend time outside early in the morning or after dinner but stay inside during the day. Even in an non-air conditioned house, you'll be cooler because you're out of direct sun. Of course, keeping kids inside can be easier said than done! See below for two great ways to distract kids stuck inside during the heat of the day.

Get Creative!

Keeping kids stuck inside busy is a challenge for lots of parents during the summer. Keep kids busy by working on crafts (need ideas? I have more than 40 kids craft ideas on my site), reading books, and going on make-believe adventures.

Relax with Netflix:

Giving kids some down time after all that morning outside play and creative time indoors is important - not just for the kids but because Mom usually needs a break, too! 

We use Netflix for family friendly TV in casa Green Living not only to save money but to avoid exposing kids to all the junk and advertising on traditional TV. Netflix.com/Families makes picking TV shows and movies for kids easy - they have great curated lists like TV for Curious Kids, Classics to Share with Your Kids (this list has Magic Schoolbus and Jem & the Holograms - two of my favorites!) and Get Ready for Preschool (plus lots more). These lists are available to all Netflix members and non-members, too! Of course, if you're not a member, it's only $7.99 a month with no contract so it's a great way to save money on summer time entertainment.

Netflix.com/Families is a new destination designed to meet your family’s summertime entertainment needs. On Netflix.com/Families, parents can find lists of movies and TV shows for all kinds of special summer moments.

Visit www.Netflix.com/Families for more information on the best ways to stream as well as videos from families using Netflix.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Netflix. We've been happy Netflix users for years. Summer "beat the heat" ideas and love of Netflix are completely my own. See my full review policy here.

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