Hot summer months not only raise temperatures but these as well:
Risk for heat exhaustion or stroke, and electricity bills.
What if I told you there are ways to stay cool without switching the aircondition on?
Skeptical?
Don’t be.
Here are simple ways to cool down the kiddos. Of course, in true Green Eggs & Moms style, we’re doing it the FUN way by using movie and TV references as well as creativity.
7 Movies & TV shows that can cool down your kids
1. Matrix
Remember the cool shooting scenes from the movie? You can do those in a safer way.
Dig up buried water guns for some serious play and cooling-down time.
Nothing does the job faster than water. Aim for the nape, hands and feet. Let’s leave the face and ears out since it isn’t nice to get water in them.
2. American Idol
This is inspired by James Durbin from last season; he wore bandanas.
Do your kids even know what those are?
Now is the time to introduce this type of accessory to them.
Dunk the bandanas in water and tie them around your children’s forehead. That will cool them down.
Don’t have any?
Use towels instead but this time, just place them on the forehead or nape area.
3. The Mist (movie based on Stephen King’s book)
Want a less active way to cool down compared to water fights? This is for you.
Fill a spray bottle with water and voila! A cheap yet effective way to stay cool.
Just tell the kids to keep a good distance between the bottle and their face to prevent hurting the eyes.
Oh, and it’s even better to use it in front of a fan.
4. Game of Thrones: Winter is coming
Beat the summer heat by placing a basin of ice behind a fan. Gather the whole family in front of the latter and enjoy the icy air.
5. The Shawshank Redemption
Tie your inmates’ (aka kids) wrists facing up and lead them to a faucet.
Let water run on their wrists for about 10 seconds. That will change their body’s temperature for an hour to keep them cool.
6. Top Chef
What could be better than eating your way to beating the summer heat?
Pretend the kids are contestants for Gordon Ramsay. Prepare quick and easy snacks using foods that cool the body.
Sneak in fruit smoothies while you’re at it.
7. Backdraft (1991 movie about firefighters)
The kids are on fire! Hurry, hose them down!
That’s it, easy peasy!
Not a skeptic anymore, eh?
What are you waiting for?
Try them. You have nothing to lose.
Step away from the computer and have fun with the kids while preventing them from overheating, ‘cos last time I checked, it was 35c and that’s just waaaaay too hot.
Did I miss anything? Feel free to add to the list by leaving a comment below.
And do share if you liked this post.
About Anne Mercado
I loved this -how you gave us tips but tied it to TV.
FUn read. Wasn’t James Durbin amazing last year? Are you watching this season? Can’t believe who just got voted off!
Anyway – back to the kids – I will definitely try some of these tips this summer. And don’t forget sunscreen!
Leigh
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James Dubin was great but I’m not watching this year. Have less time for TV now, ha
Glad you liked this, Leigh! It was also fun to write.
These are great ideas. Will have to remember them once it warms up, it is in the 30s F this week here in Michigan.
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Hope the movie references will help you remember them haha
Very creative spin Anne! Great ideas and fun!! I will definitely try a few of these this summer. Excellent.
Practice What You Preach
Hi Lynn, yes fun, fun, fun! That’s mostly what the kids want, right? So we shall give it to them when we can – especially during hot weather.
Putting ice behind a fan, what a neat idea! I never thought of that!
These all sound like fun ideas! 
It’s not hot here yet. haha I thought it was going to be, with 80f degree weather, and then we had major storms (LOTS of tornadoes), and now we are down to 35f degrees (in the morning anyways, it DOES get up to 70f, but just not to hot yet)!! I could go for 80 again or maybe even 90!. 
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Sarah, that’s what happens when you live in a country like the Philippines. You get creative with the hot weather.
There are fans that spray mists as well but not everyone can afford an additional appliance so the ice does the trick. It’s cheaper too and when it melts, you can use it to water plants or wash the dog. Hope it doesn’t get too hot for your guys soon.
Great post Anne!! I love these ideas and I love how you tied them into the movies. You could really have fun with this and find your families favorite movie and tie in a water theme! You are so clever!! xo
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Yeah, there are other movies you can tie in with the water theme. Over at VB, Sharon and Sarah both said they’d have their kiddos do superheros and that’s an awesome idea too! A little imagination can go a loooong way. Thanks for you sweet words Kathy!
Anne your posts are always so GOOD!!! Love this post, these are some great ideas to have some fun.
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Thanks Pamela and I’m happy you guys really seemed to like it
Thank you for always dropping by and leaving a comment, it means a lot.
i wish I can get half of the heat there and transfer it here! we are all having colds right now due to the crazy weather. ugh.
Spanish Pinay
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You can take half of the heat hear! But am sorry to hear that you have colds
You are brilliant Ms. Anne. I am bookmarking this one!
Thanks for the point gift too. So sweet!
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Thanks for the bookmark Val! I bet your kiddos will love some of the ideas
And no problem on the points!
I just noticed, you don’t have a way to subscribe via email. Help!
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Dearest Val,
Were you referring to an email rss? Because I have a mailing list that sends weekly updates (plus few fun stories/tips). If you want, you could subscribe to that: http://bit.ly/yHPPBQ
OMGosh! These are all awesome ideas, I’ve never thought about this
Stopping by from voiceBoks.
~God Bless
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Hi Cheyene, glad you enjoyed this post.
I love your list! We still have a month of summer. We’ll do everything on the list!
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Hi Samantha and we’re the same. We still have about a month of summer and we need to cool down
Glad you enjoyed this one and hope to see you more here!
Anne, these are great tips! It gets scorching hot here in the summer and when we aren’t able to get to the beach, we cool down with our patio misters (a must have!), the kiddie pool (even us grown ups sit in it!) and of course by running through the sprinklers. It is so fun to watch the kids play in water- pure joy on their faces! Thanks for sharing. -Dawn
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Thanks for sharing what you do! And yes, kids almost always love water – I know I did – and it’s the most fun way to cool down.
These are great Anne! I laughed at the Gordon Ramsey one, because I turn on his Kitchen Nightmares, when I’m at my sewing machine filling orders. It makes me laugh!;) We have major heat to deal with in AZ. We always have our swimming pools, but I guess we are so used to heat, you get kind of used to it. I little water, some shade…you’re good. Love these movie references though!
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I used to be fascinated with him but now it’s just way too much yelling and I end up feeling bad for the contestants.
But it is funny sometimes
Yeah, I heard Arizona’s really a hot place and yes, water and shade and you’re good.
Thanks for dropping by again Courney and glad you like the movie references.
Love this post so much, Anne! Shared it on my FB page and Twitter feeds!
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Wow!! Thanks for sharing, Tina
I really really appreciate it! 