Twelve Ways You Can Keep Kids Cool when You Don't Have a Pool

Even when the temperature hits triple digits kids still seem to want to be outdoors despite the heat. Keeping them cool while their outside is no problem if you have a swimming pool in your backyard. Nothing is quite as refreshing is a dip in a cold pool on a hot summer day. However many parents aren't lucky enough to have a pool and keeping their kids cool during the summer without a pool can definitely be a challenge. Parents can try to keep them indoors but that never lasts long as they begin to go stir crazy from being cooped up inside. Taking them on outings to beat the heat can be expensive so that's not a very good option either. Fortunately there are some fun summer games and activities you can do in your own backyard even on the hottest day that will help keep kids cool even when you don't have a pool. Here are twelve of my favorites.

Twelve Games and Activities To Keep Kids Cool When You Don't Have A Pool

1. Water Balloon Fight

A water balloon fight is a lot of fun and keep kids cool during the hot summer months. all you need to play is a package of balloons, two or more participants, access to a water faucet and a couple of large containers to hold the balloons.To start fill all the balloons with water, tie closed and divide all of the balloons equally by placing in the containers. Give each child a container and let the fun begin as children toss the balloons at each other.

2. Water Balloon Toss

To play this fun summer game that's guaranteed to cool off hot kids fill several balloons with water and place in a container. Then have children take turns tossing and catching the water balloon while standing a short distance apart. To make this game even more fun, chill several of the filled balloons in the refrigerator before playing.

3. Water Balloon Pinata

This fun summer activity is a take on the traditional pinata. But instead of a pinata you are going to tie several different sizes of filled water balloons on a string and hang from a tree. Next blindfold each child in turn and have them take turns swinging at the filled balloons with a plastic baseball bat until someone breaks all of the balloons.

4. Squirt Gun Shoot Out

Line up several aluminum cans along a fence or table and challenge children to a shoot out to see who can knock the most cans over using just their squirt guns.

5. Wet and Wild Obstacle Course

Help the kids stay cool in the summer heat by turning your back yard into a wet and wild obstacle course. Have children run through the sprinklers, dump a bucket of water on their head, slide across a slip n slide, etc. Anything goes in this game as long as it gets the kids wet!

6. Bucket Brigade

To play this fun water game have three or more players stand in a line a short distance from each other and give each player an empty cup. At the beginning of the line place a large bucket filled with water. At the other end place a large empty bucket that has a line on it about a quarter from the top that says finish. To make the game more fun and encourage the players to move quickly set a time limit. Begin playing by having the first child in the line fill his or her cup with water and then dump the water in the next players cup. The last player in line dumps their cup of water into the empty bucket. Continue playing until time runs out or the empty bucket reaches the fill line.

7. Water Play Table

This is a fun activity that doesn't require a lot of water to keep kids cool. To get started set up a large plastic container or tote on the ground or a low table and fill with water and a couple of drops of food coloring. To make the water even colder add in some ice cubes. Provide a variety of small toys, measuring spoons and cups and let your children have fun playing in the cold water.

8. Backyard Water Park

If you have a swing set or trampoline in your backyard use water to make your own water park.You can place a small sprinkler under the swings and trampoline, or run a water hose down the slide and place a small wading pool at the bottom for some good cool summer fun.

9. Car Wash

Let your kids have a cool, clean time by letting them set up their own kiddie car wash for their bikes and other ride on toys. Give them buckets, large sponges, some soapy water and let them clean away. A great way to get the outdoor toys clean and keep the kids cool on a hot summer day.

10. The Big Thaw

To play this game give each player a cup of three ice cubes and see who can melt their ice cubes the quickest by just using their body heat. Players can rub the ice cubes all over their bodies to get them to melt. The person who gets all of their ice cubes melted the fastest is the winner of this icy fun game.

11. Water Limbo

This game is played just like regular limbo except that instead of a limbo stick a stream of water from a garden hose is used. To play, put on some tropical music and have the children dance under the stream of water gradually lowering the stream of water. If a player gets soaked going under the stream of water they are out and play continues until only one player is left. The last player is named the water limbo champion and gets to hold the hose for the next round of play.

12. Sprinkler Freeze Dance

This game is similar to freeze dance but played outdoors with the sprinkler. Its a lot of fun to play and will definitely keep kids cool. To play set up an oscillating sprinkler, put on some music and have the children dance around the yard and try to avoid the sprinkler. When the music is turned off they must freeze wherever they are at and let the sprinkler soak them. If they move they are out. Once the music resumes they are free to move around the area again. The game is over when there is only one child left playing or children lose interest.

Since all of these fun water games and activities take place outdoors make sure and apply sunscreen before your children go outside to prevent them from becoming sunburned. In addition have plenty of cold drinks on hand to keep them hydrated and frequently check on them to make sure they aren't getting too hot.