Baby, Its Hot Outside!

Holy heat Batman!  O’Fallon has been under an for days now.  The temperatures are hot and the heat index has been anywhere from 100-115. 

To say that this heat wave is dangerous is an understatement. As parents, we want to have fun with our children during the summer, but their health and safety is most important. Many outdoor activities need to be restricted in heat like this because a child can overheat and dehydrate very quickly. 

Trying to entertain your children in weather like this can be a real challenge, especially if you are anything like me and find yourself down right crabby because of the heat.   I’ve put together a few suggestions on ways to beat the heat and still have fun until fall arrives. 

• Hit the pool – Many O’Fallon subdivisions offer pools to their residents.  No subdivision pool?  Head to Alligator Creek.  Too hot for outside swimming?  Head over to the and take a dip in the indoor pool.  Not only will you avoid the heat, you won’t need to lather up with sunscreen.  If you do head outdoors, be sure to watch for that you or your kids have had enough.
• Catch a movie – Head over to the and take advantage of the “Heat Advisory Days” discount.  On days when St. Louis is under a heat advisory, all adult tickets are the price of a child admission before 4 p.m. 
• Go shopping – In only four weeks, most children are heading   Knock out the school supply shopping now while the selection is best.  Plus, most stores have big summer sales as they make room for fall merchandise.  While you are shopping, pick up a few extra items to use at home, too.  You’d be surprised how long some water color paint and a stack of paper will keep even the youngest artist entertained!
•  Study – Well not exactly.  Help your kids brush up on their math and spelling skills so they start off the school year prepared.  In our house we play “math relay.”  I quiz my boys on basic math facts in a relay style and give them a quarter for every level they get right.  We do the same thing with spelling and reading sight words.  It turns learning into fun!  You don’t have to use a quarter, but can use whatever spare change you have around the house.
• Give back – Host a charity video game tournament.  Have your children invite a few friends over to play video games.  The price of admission can be a canned good, toy or few dollars that will be donated to a charity.  When the tournament is over, take the donated items as a group to the charity.  Even if you’ve only collected a few cans of food, few dollars or a few toys, teaching your children to give back is priceless.
• Head inside - Area attractions like Sports Fusion offer rock climbing, miniature golf, dodge ball, and much more all in the comforts of air conditioning.