The heat is no fun in the middle of summer, especially if you are traveling with kids. Most kids just don’t handle extreme temperatures very well, which means you might spend your vacation with crying, overheated kids. That isn’t fun for anybody! Thankfully, with some careful planning and preparation, they don’t have to suffer through the heat and you won’t have to suffer through the whining and tears!
Check out these ways you can beat the heat while you’re on vacation with your kids.
Go to a waterpark
If it seems like the weather during your vacation will be exceptionally hot, you may want to plan a trip to a waterpark. Spending a day there might give your kids the break they need from walking around in the sun or spending a little too much time on the beach. Plus, it’s fun for the whole family! Who doesn’t love cooling down on some water slides?
Be prepared with snacks and drinks
Always have the right snacks and drinks. Bring plenty of water! Most theme parks, museums and other attractions allow you to bring your own water bottle. If your kids don’t particularly like water, try to make it a little more fun for them to drink by letting them pick out their own special, reusable water bottle. If you get to your destination and realize you didn’t pack water bottles, try asking the vendors. You’ll probably get some ice water for free! Also, be sure to pack snacks that will help your kid cool down. If you have a hotel with a mini fridge or freeze, fruit is a great snack that will keep your kiddos cool and refreshed! Pop some grapes in the freezer, then take them a long for your kids to eat while you’re out. Or slice up some watermelon, for a refreshing snack.
Plan naps and rest times
If you have younger kids, you must plan naps and rest times if your kids don’t take naps! Being outside in the heat all day is no good. They need rest and so do they. The hottest part of the day is after lunch and before dinner. That time is also perfect to schedule in a short nap in your hotel room or settling your little one into a shaded stroller and rocking them to sleep. They will wake up feeling happier and you will feel better knowing they got some rest in and away from the sun.
Protect your skin
Bring an abundance of sunscreen on your vacation. Sometimes you have no choice but to be in the heat all day long. At least protect your skin and your child’s skin by generously applying sunscreen multiple times a day. Also be sure to bring hats and sunglasses to protect scalps and eyes from the bright sun. Your kids won’t have any fun at all if they get sun burnt!
Pick a hotel with a pool
As you plan your trip, look ahead at the weather forecasted for the time you’re gone. If you’ll be gone for a few days, pick a hotel that has a pool as one of its amenities. You may not be able to plan a trip to a waterpark, but your kiddos will love splashing around in the pool when you get home from a long day of sight-seeing.
Plan out your theme park lines
There are blogs and websites all over the internet that can guide you through planning the perfect trip to any amusement park. Look ahead and see which rides are the most popular. If you’re going somewhere like Disney World, figure out which rides are newest or most popular. Hit those rides first or last, because you’ll most likely stand in a shorter line. Plus, the sun won’t be nearly as hot early in the morning or in the evening. No one wants to stand in line for an hour on a hot summer day!
Pack methods of distraction
Kids get crabby when it’s hot outside. So if you’re planning to spend a lot of time outdoors at the beach, or in a theme park or just walking around, pack some things to distract them from being hot and uncomfortable. There are fan and spray combination bottles you can buy that will keep your kids happy. They can spritz themselves (or each other!) and use the fan to stay cool. Usually these are battery operated, so bring some backup batteries! Bubbles and gum make great distractions, too! 
Holidays with kids Don’t miss out on a fun family vacation just because it is hot outside! Take every opportunity you get to spend time with your children and create memories! They will have a blast and you will be so glad for the time you spent with them!
Kacey Mya Bradley is a lifestyle blogger for “The Drifter Collective.” Throughout her life, she has found excitement in the world around her. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations, cultures, and styles, while communicating these endeavors through her passion for writing and expression. Her love for the world around her is portrayed through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts. The Drifter Collective: An eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. https://twitter.com/kacey_mya https://www.pinterest.com/kaceymya/
