COOL IDEAS FOR HOT SUMMER DAYS

by: Diane Baker • Youth Development Educator
University of Illinois Extension 

As we get into the heart of the summer, families sometimes run short of new ideas. Here in the Quad Cities, we need not look far for great things to do with your family.

Find a Festival – the greater Quad Cities area has fairs and festivals going on nearly every weekend of the summer. Many of these festivals are very inexpensive, yet offer great fun. Choose a fair or festival that you’ve never attended and give it a try. Take your camera so the kids can take pictures and then create a scrapbook of your adventures documenting summer fun in the Quad Cities area.

Pick a Park – the greater Quad Cities area is filled with parks and forest preserves. These offer great opportunities to explore the great outdoors and build in some physical activity for your family. Choose a different park every week and keep a list of the best features of each. Take along some different colors of paint chips from the hardware store and see how many you can match to colors in nature at each park. Kids are amazed at how many different shades of colors are all around them outdoors. Collect leaves or rocks as permitted by the parks and start a new collection for your family.

Backyard Campouts – invite the neighbors and have a campout in your own backyard.
Set up the tents and build a campfire. Here are a couple of easy snacks that kids will love:

Banana Boats – Peel back one section of the banana skin. Cut a long, wedge-shaped section
in the banana. Remove wedge and fill space with chocolate chips or small pieces of chocolate
bar and marshmallows. Replace wedge-shaped section and peel on top of filled banana. Wrap
the banana skin with foil. Put over hot coals and cook until chocolate and marshmallows melt –
usually 5 to 10 minutes.

Shaggy Dogs – Heat a pot of water over the campfire. Remove the lid of a can of chocolate
syrup, place the can of syrup in the hot water, and heat the chocolate syrup in the can until
hot. Place a marshmallow on a stick and toast it slowly over the coals until golden brown. Dip the
toasted marshmallow in the can of hot chocolate syrup, then roll it in shredded coconut, sunflower seeds, or chopped nuts.

Preparing for your Adventure - Whether visiting a festival, exploring a park, or having
fun in your own backyard – remember to be prepared.

Dress for the weather. If you’ll be out for a long period of time, be prepared with layers
that can be added or taken off as needed. Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes for lots of walking.
Remember a hat or visor and sunscreen to help protect from the sun. Bring plenty of water to
keep everyone well hydrated. Take a camera and notepads. The kids can keep journals of what
they see and what they do and pictures make a great way of recording your summer memories.