5 Ways to Keep the Kids Cool This Spring

We just returned from a fabulous spring break trip where every day was gorgeously sunny and 85 degrees. While D.C. weather hasn't quite hit that stride yet, the temperatures here are starting to climb, and I couldn't be happier about it. But I also know that before long the kids will start whining about it being too hot.

It happens every year. One minute everyone is complaining about winter going on for forever, and the next, the kids are claiming that it's too hot to go outside. Fortunately, I keep a running list of ways to keep the kids from overheating while entertaining themselves. Here are my five favorites.

Experiment With Cool Science

Kids are always up for science experiments, and taking a messy project outdoors is always a great way to sneak in some education. I love to add in a cool-down element to spring and summer experiments. Try making some icy goop for a lesson in physics or a potions station that includes cold water and ice to let the kids come up with their own experiments.

Set Up Simple Water Play

Put out the kiddie pool, turn on that freezing hose, and add a bunch of simple kitchen toys. I'm always amazed at how much time our kids, even now that they are older, will spend just futzing around with water. If you have a little extra time for something more complicated, try using cold water to make a giant sensory squish bag. It's worth it!

Art Outdoors

You know that I'm not mess averse, but for those of you who can't stand art exploding in your living room, use the opportunity to let kids do art outside while staying cool. We love to mix up a batch of liquid sidewalk chalk or frozen playdough. Sometimes I even roll out a big piece of paper and let the kids make a collective mural. Whatever the activity, I put them in their bathing suits and hose them down after!

"Cook" Something Cool

Our kids love to cook, and making something cool is such a fun way to spend time together. We love to make popsicles and smoothies, both of which are easy for kids to make and help keep everyone cool.

Take Indoor Cool Downtime

It sounds oxymoronic, but I always make sure to plan some downtime indoors when the weather starts to get warm. We spend the time reading together, playing a game, or just lounging around. A little bit of time in air conditioning makes everyone happier. Just make sure that you program your thermostat correctly so that the downtime doesn't overwork your air conditioner and send your energy bills skyrocketing.

Each of these takes a little bit of parental setup time, but I find that the more often we do them, our kids become more independent at seeking them out and entertaining themselves. So you just might find time for yourself to cool off, too!

Disclosure: This post is brought to you by Roberts Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. Thanks for helping to support the sponsors who support us!

5 DIY Plant Ideas for Spring

I spent a lot of the winter season looking forward to spring and the return of outdoor gardening, but there are significant benefits to planting indoors, too. Along with adding design details and a great punch of color, house plants also help clean and filter the air inside your home. Plants can actually filter out mold spores, bacteria, and a variety of toxins, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Don't have a green thumb? Don't worry. Many of the indoor plants that help improve indoor air quality are also of fairly hardy stock. We have some mother-in-law's tongue plants prominently displayed in our home year round, but I've also been keeping my eye on some fun DIY planters to add into rotation this spring. In particular, I've been looking for projects that the kids would enjoy too. Here are a few of my favorites.

Recycled Faux Marble Planters

It's no surprise by now that I have a serious love for all things marble. But I also love that there is a recycled component to these faux marble planters that makes this DIY project even more green. The fact that succulents are low maintenance is an added bonus.

Fun Toy Planters

 This is technically another recycled DIY project. Try using one of your kiddos' old toys to make a modern and fun planter. I particularly like the idea of spray painting the toy gold for a chic look. Cam would be all over that.

Kids' Hair Planters

These silly hair planters double as science lessons for your kids. The grass will grow quickly, but you could also try planting a crazy succulent to give your kiddo's photo a fun looking hat.

Air Plants

There are so many different DIY projects out there for air plants. Check out this roundup that has a good range of easy to more complicated projects. You can't beat a plant that doesn't need to be watered! In addition, I think some of the hanging versions would be great clutter-free ways to add color to a child's room. Because, let's face it, probably the last thing they need is another tchotchke on their dressers.

Indoor Herb Garden

An herb garden is one of the first outdoor projects we get going in the spring. We have a sunny spot in our side yard, and we use big planters to grow my favorites for cooking. If you don't have the outdoor space or if you simply want a smaller version handy in your kitchen, think about planting a series of pots or organizing them on a tray. I like this DIY project that also offers extra space to store kitchen necessities.

Honestly, there are so many cute options, it's hard to pick a place to start. You can't go wrong with any of these low-maintenance DIY projects that serve double duty to keep your indoor air clean and give you a healthy boost for spring.

Disclosure: This post is brought to you by Bounds Heating & Air. Thanks for helping to support the sponsors who support us!

Watermelon Chia Agua Fresca

The warm weather has finally arrived in D.C. and we've been dreaming up activities in anticipation of summer! High up on the kids' list is a "fancy" drink stand, complete with special lemonade and a selection of agua frescas (a deliciously thrist-quenching Mexican drink we often purchase from our local farmer's market). To get ready, we've been trying out several different recipes and I think we found a hit: Watermelon Chia Agua Fresca!

Bath Games with Munchkin!

Oh we can't even tell you how HAPPY we are that the weather has taken a turn for the warm(ish) out here in D.C. It was a loooooong winter -- filled with lots of indoor activities of which our kids were getting a little tired. And that even goes for bathtime! Fortunately for us, our good friends over at Munchkin just sent over some new bath toys for us to check out. We put our heads together and came up with three fun games to play in the tub -- the kids had such a good time that they refused to get out. Check 'em out and change up your nighttime (or inside play) routine!

Tic-Tac-Toe
An old standby for our crew and the simplest of our three games, we used Munchkin's Bath Crayons to sketch out a game board right on the tile. Instead of Xs and Os (they always argue over who gets to be what!), the kids each picked a color of Foam Bath Learning tiles and used those to mark a spot. Cam is in a big "there are no winners!" phase, so we had lots of ties.

Letter Matching Memory
We then used the Foam Bath Learning tiles to square up a modified game of the classic. I went through the tiles without the kids watching and picked twelve different tiles that contained six pairs of words with matching first letters (e.g., Fish and Frog, Rose and Ring, etc.). I placed them face down on the bathroom wall and each kiddo took a turn secretly peeking at two tiles. If they matched, they won the pair. If not, they had to remember the location and try to pair up another set on the next turn.

They put their winning sets on their own "scoreboard," where they'd written out their names using Munchkin's Letters and Numbers set. Kane reveled in his "win," while Cameron continued to insist that there was no winning.

Who Am I?!
Our most favorite game, however, was our version of "Who Am I?!" Both kids love playing charades, so I knew this would be a big hit. We scrambled the tiles from our memory game, added a few new ones, and then made another "face down" grid of tiles. The first player picked a tile, and without looking at it, placed it photo/word up onto their forehead (they stick when wet!). The other players then had to describe the tile's object without saying the actual word. For example, the kids told me "it has fur and whiskers" and "you really don't like this animal" when I had the tile of a cat stuck to my forehead. It was hysterical to listen to their different clues!

I might not be a fan of cats, but I love that Munchkin's bath toys work so well for many different ages and, with a little imagination, are really versatile. The kids are now intent on coming up with new games using the same toys. Stay tuned!

This post is brought to you by Munchkin, but all content and opinions are my own. Munchkin rids the world of the mundane by developing clever, innovative solutions that make family life safer, easier, and more fun. You can find Munchkin products at Munchkin.com, Target, 
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