The weekend’s forecast says it’s shaping up to be another hot one! Other than “inside with the A/C running” (haha), where does your family like to go when the summer heats up?

Here are 8 fun ideas for cooling down when temps get high. (I bet the last few will surprise you!)

1. Splash in a fountain

The splash pad is probably my family’s favorite place to cool down when it’s hot out. For one, most of the local splash pads are free, which is my favorite price. 😉 Also, they’re simple and safe for all ages—no worrying about toddlers who can’t swim yet—and it’s easy to keep an eye on all the kids at once. The best local splash pads are in Otsego’s Prairie Park, the recently-opened Delano Splash Pad, and Maple Grove Central Park, but you’ll also find some nice little ones in downtown Buffalo and Elk River.  Mom tip: Bring a few buckets or cups to play with and double the fun!

2. Play in a pool

When I was growing up, the pool was the place to be in the summer! Of course, the pools I grew up with were nothing like what we have around here now, with water slides and the works! Here are three fun options for kids located near STMA:
YMCA Camp Manitou in Monticello has an outdoor pool with a water slide and splash pad ($5-$7/person or $25/family)
Monticello Community Center‘s indoor swim area includes a zero-depth entry pool with a play structure, tire swing, and slide, a lap pool, a hot tub, and a two-story water slide (non-residents $6.50 child/$7.50 adult, includes access to full community center)
Grove Cove at the Maple Grove Community Center has both indoor and outdoor pools. The outdoor pool features a play structure with slide, lazy river, and more. The indoor play area has a zero-depth entry pool and splash deck, lap pool, rope swing, climbing wall, and a two-story water slide that opens at noon. (non-residents $8/person; check pool schedule for detailed open swim hours (link))

3. Hit the beach

Nothing says “summer” quite like a day at the beach. Some local favorite swim beaches include Beebe Lake in St. Michael, Bertram Lake in Monticello, and Lake Pulaski/Griffing Park in Buffalo. All of these beaches have free admission. Mom tip: If you have an infant, a laundry basket makes an excellent beach bassinet/playpen.

4. Ditch the lake, try the Swim Pond

The Elm Creek Swim Pond in Maple Grove is a man-made pond filled with filtered, chlorinated water but also featuring a sandy beach and zero-depth entry swimming. You’ll also find shaded areas, concessions, a changing shelter, and restrooms. The park opens at 9 a.m., and life guards are on duty starting at noon. The daily fee is $5 per person, or you can purchase an annual pass for $18 each.

5. Spend a day at Bunker Beach

Bunker Beach, voted Minnesota’s Best Outdoor Water Park, is located just 40 minutes from STMA in Coon Rapids. Day rates are $12-$15 per person, but there are several options for discounted admission.  Mom tip: If you have pre-school-aged kids, check out my review of Bunker Beach’s super low-cost “Tot Time” here.

6. Wade in a waterfall

You’ve swam in a lake, and probably in an ocean or a river, but how about in a waterfall? Willow River State Park is located just across the border from Stillwater (about a 1-hour drive from STMA) and features a gorgeous 100-ft wide waterfall that you can actually wade in or even crawl in behind. A visit to the falls is a perfect add-on to a day-trip or overnight to the Stillwater area.  Mom tip: The walk to the falls is only a quarter mile from the parking lot, but it’s pretty steep, so be prepared to carry or stroller your littlest ones back up the hill when you’re done.

7. Go ice skating

What, ice skating? But that’s a winter activity, you say. Typically, yes, but the indoor rinks are open year-round and are a nice, chilly venue for beating the heat. The Rogers Ice Arena and the Monticello Community Center offer open skating at various times throughout the week. The cost is about $3-$5 per person, plus skate rental, and kids under 5 can skate for free.

8. Rediscover your own backyard!

No, this is not a cop out. It’s really true that for some of the best summer fun, your kids should look no further than their own yard and find a way to play that uses their bodies and their imaginations! A few weeks ago my daughter had some friends over, and they spent nearly 2 hours playing together with just a couple of kiddie pools, a sprinkler, and some dollar store water squirters. So turn on the sprinklers, fill up some water balloons, make a slip-n-slide… And if you need some new ideas, this blog has 20 easy ways to have a blast in the backyard without a lot of set-up.

Where does YOUR family go to cool off during the summer? Leave a comment.

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save