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Advice and ideas

Beat the heat with these 4 cool and creative play experiences for children

As the temperatures rise, keeping children cool and entertained becomes a top priority for parents and carers, and educators. Here are some creative experiences that offer children a refreshing break from the summer heat.

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DIY Watercolor Splash
  • Materials:
    • Large canvases or heavy paper
    • Watercolour paints
    • Water balloons
    • Water
  • Steps:
    1. Fill water balloons with a variety of watercolour paints. Ensure they are securely tied.
    2. Set up a painting station outdoors with large canvases or heavy paper laid on the ground.
    3. Invite children to throw the watercolour-filled water balloons onto the canvas or paper, creating vibrant splash art.
    4. Allow the artwork to dry completely and consider displaying the masterpieces in an outdoor gallery.
Ice Block Excavation
  • Materials:
    • Small toys or objects
    • Large containers or molds
    • Water
    • Plastic spoons or toy hammers
  • Steps:
    1. Place small toys or objects into large containers or molds.
    2. Fill the containers with water and freeze them overnight.
    3. Once fully frozen, remove the ice blocks from the molds.
    4. Provide children with plastic spoons or toy hammers to excavate the treasures from the ice. The cool water from melting ice adds an extra element of fun.
Backyard Water Olympics
  • Materials:
    • Sponges
    • Water balloons
    • Kiddie pool or buckets
    • Slip ‘n slide or plastic tarp
  • Steps:
    1. Set up various stations for water-themed games in the backyard.
    2. Arrange a sponge relay race where children soak sponges in water and pass them down the line.
    3. Organise a water balloon toss, encouraging children to partner up and toss balloons back and forth without breaking them.
    4. Set up a slip ‘n slide or a plastic tarp for some sliding fun. Make it a mini-Olympics with medals or ribbons for participants.
Frozen Fruit Kebabs
  • Materials:
    • Watermelon, grapes, berries or other favourite fruits
    • Wooden skewers or popsicle sticks
  • Steps:
    1. Wash and prepare the fruits by cutting them into bite-sized pieces.
    2. Thread the fruit pieces onto wooden skewers or popsicle sticks, creating colourful fruit kebabs.
    3. Place the fruit kebabs on a tray or flat surface and freeze them for a few hours.
    4. Once frozen, offer the delicious and hydrating frozen fruit kebabs as a refreshing snack for the children to enjoy.

Feel free to adapt these steps based on the age group and preferences of the children participating in the activities.