Keeping Toddlers Busy in the Phoenix Heat

0

I am an Illinois native, so summertime in the Midwest is not comparable to these hot summer days that Phoenix brings. Growing up, everyone looked forward to sweet summertime. The magical months between May and August where we can go on nature walks and enjoy the sunshine. I laugh because this is my fourth summer spent in Phoenix and I tell my midwestern friends that Phoenix is like the Midwest in the winter, you try to stay inside most of the time. This can be a daunting task when trying to keep little ones busy throughout the day. I stay at home with almost two-year old twin boys who require activities to keep them busy. This is a tough task to accomplish since we can’t spend our days in the sunshine for as long! Below is a list of some tips for keeping toddlers busy during the hot heat of Phoenix summertime.

keeping toddlers busy in the phoenix heat

  1. Wake up early and relish in Phoenix mornings. I am the definition of a night owl, so early mornings are a tough battle for me. Once I am out of bed, I find that mornings are my favorite, especially during Arizona summers. I throw together a quick breakfast for the boys, slip their shoes on, and immediately head outside with them first thing in the morning. We soak up the outdoors as long as possible before heading inside for the day.
  2. Water tables are everything. I found mine at Costco, but Amazon has some amazing looking ones as well! My boys love their water table. When it is under one-hundred degrees outside, I let them outside in the afternoons to play with the water table.
  3. Bust out the Crayola crayons and Play-Doh. These are classics for a reason. They keep kids busy! I snagged a few awesome thick-lined coloring books for toddlers on Amazon and they spend up to thirty minutes coloring. It is amazing…until they head towards the walls with a giant purple crayon. Then, we move on to Play-Doh. I tape aluminum foil to the floor so they can squish it on that. We use popsicle sticks to poke at the Play-doh. The kiddos have fun with it. Just make sure they don’t eat it!
  4. Head to indoor play gyms. Two words: life saver. I am a big fan of Gymboree Play and Learn because they offer fair prices for memberships that also includes four classes each month. They have a location in Glendale, as well as Scottsdale. I also enjoy taking the boys to Ready, Set, Play located at the Paradise Valley Mall. They have a large space with several activities and things to do. A few other great places include Café Au Plait, Mini Social, The Stomping Ground, and local libraries.
  5. Popsicles! Nothing beats this tasty treat. One of my good mom friends suggested giving the popsicles during bath time. This is a perfect after-dinner treat that the kids can enjoy, while making an easy clean-up for us mamas!
  6. Sensory bins. From water beads to dish soap bubbles, there are several sensory bin ideas that Pinterest has to offer. The best part? A majority of these things are items that you already have in your home. I sometimes bring the water table inside to turn it into a sensory bin, but small buckets or containers will work just as well.
  7. Gym membership with daycare. If I am being honest I have yet to jump on this opportunity this year, but I thoroughly enjoyed it last summer. There are three perks to having a gym membership in the hot summer months. This includes time for yourself while the kids are in daycare, an opportunity to focus on your physical and mental health, and doing all of these things in an air-conditioned facility. It is a win-win-win.
  8. Head to a local museum or the aquarium. Phoenix offers several amazing museums to attend and beat the heat. To name a few there is The Children’s Museum, the Arizona Science Center, and the I.d.e.a. Museum. Another option is OdySea aquarium, which offers several events and activities throughout the summer months.
  9. Attend a local splash pad. If your little one(s) is a fan of water, they will love running around in a splash pad. Bring buckets, toys, and a light snack to add to the fun. There are several locations for splash pads, but two that are in North Phoenix area include the Desert Ridge splash pad and the Scottsdale Quarter splash pad.

Surviving the summer months with toddlers doesn’t have to feel daunting! Cabin fever can strike quickly, but the good news is there are perks to being in a bigger city – several indoor opportunities to take part in! Have additional ideas that your toddlers enjoy during the summer months? Share below – I’d love to hear from you!

XOXO,

Bri

 

Previous articleFood’s Important Role in the Struggle with Anxiety and Depression
Next articleWhy Breastfeeding Didn’t Work For Me
Brianna Richardson
Brianna is a 20-something stay-at-home mama to twin boys, Liam and Noah, and a crazy yellow lab, Zoey. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Spencer. Although a piece of her heart will always lie within her Midwestern roots, her family currently resides in sunny (and prickly) Phoenix. Prior to spending her days in leggings and messy buns, she was a high school English teacher to some pretty awesome kiddos. Staying at home with her boys is one of her favorite seasons in life thus far and she is excited to share it with you! Aside from being a stay-at-home mama her passions include hiking, indulging in anything that contains chocolate, reading a good book, photography, interior design and organizing, drinking hot coffee with cream, and brunching. Sit back and relax, enjoy reading her triumphs mixed with the best days of motherhood. We are a tribe as moms and this is motherhood uncensored.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here