10 things to do when it is too HOT to play outside.

I cannot remember it ever being as hot as it currently is here in NC. It's not the fun hot, where it is easy to cool down playing in the sprinkler or going to the pool. It is 100 degrees! We live in the mountains and I am just not used to it. This pale mama gets  pink walking from the house to the car! Plus, with A~man having Prader-willi syndrome, his body does not regulate extreme temperatures the way most people's body can. Our AC was even out for a few days during this heat wave, with the AC repair man not being able to come fix it until Monday. THANKFULLY, it started working Friday afternoon. Here's a list I came up with while looking around the internet of things to do inside when it is too hot to stay outside for long.

1. It's very important when it gets hot outside to stay hydrated. Here is an easy and very refreshing lemonade recipe or if you want to kick things up a bit, old fashioned pink lemonade. The recipe is so easy that even your kids could make it! What's neat about both recipes is that there is no artificial food coloring or high frutose corn syrup. It only has basic ingredients and I plan on making the pink version tonight after I send hubby to the grocery store. (I'm NOT going outside again while the sun is up;)

2. Make playdough! Even though my children are almost 11 and almost 13 *gulp* they still love to make and play with playdough. I especially like the kind that you use Koolade to color it as it also makes it smell so good!

3. Here's one we have never tried before (YET!) which could also be a fun science project. Flubber!

4. Speaking of science, here are four activities that I cannot wait to try out with the kids soon.

• The Dissolving Egg Shell and Bouncing Egg Experiment!
• Make a Bouncing Polymer Ball
• Make an ocean in a bottle
• Blow something up! (with supervision of course;)

5. Are you ready for a little creativity for your clothes? Create an original t-shirt with Bleach Pen Painting! (highly recommend supervision :o)

6. Glow sticks in the tub. Not just for toddlers I say!

7. Listen to Homeschool Radio Shows online. I haven't listened to these yet but I thought it was a fun idea for some indoor afternoon entertainment.

8. Make your own terrarium. Bring the indoors in where you can stay nice and cool.

9. Play online Hangman (or hangMOUSE to be exact) or do an online word search puzzle to add some fun learning to their day.

10. Don't forget kids having fun in the kitchen. Here is a lunch recipe that looks super yum that won't heat up the kitchen, and would be simple enough for an older child to make by them self. (and maybe make YOU one too!)

Check back this week as I plan on coming up with another list of fun things to do when it is too hot to play outside. What do you and your children do to stay cool and entertained?