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How to keep kids cool in the summer months
Being a parent of young children, you’ll know the worry of trying to keep them cool and hydrated throughout the hotter summer months.
Here are winning tips to make it that little bit easier for you whilst making it fun (and nutritional) for the kids on how to keep kids cool over the summer months.
Keeping Kids Cool During Summer Months – Who’s the King of Ice Lollies?
If your kids are like ours then they’ll love an ice lolly. I mean what’s more refreshing than ice?
Both young and older children adore playing games with it too.
Flavoured ice on a hot summer’s day? Yes, please!
However, we know that lollies from the supermarket can be high in unnecessary sugar and food colourings. Perfectly okay if you are on a family holiday but could be tricky as a daily option to stay cool over the entire summer months.
The solution? Why not make your own and give these simple ice lolly ideas a go instead? These recipe ideas are easy to make and nutritionally gentler for added sugars than what you’ll find in the shop bought treats.
Watermelon Lollies
Summer is here and we all know how deliciously refreshing watermelon is but by adding a lolly stick and freezing the slices, we guarantee the kids will find it more of a treat.
Smoothie Lollies
Think of your child’s favourite smoothie…now, take an ice lolly mould and freeze it. Voila! You now have the perfect ice lolly for your little one. Stuck for ideas? Don’t worry I’ve got you covered and some even contain veggies!
- Banana, avocado, cacao powder, milk (or dairy-free alternative)
- Frozen berries, oats, milk (or dairy-free alternative)
- Mango, passionfruit, orange & ice
- Kiwi, Spinach, lime, chia seeds & apple juice
- Peanut butter, banana & yoghurt (or dairy-free alternative)
Whole Fruit Lollies
Get creative with your child to beat the summer heat, by adding whole berries or sliced fruit to the ice lolly mould.
Next top up with water, yoghurt, sugar-free squash or fresh juice.
This is a fun way to introduce your child to new fruits or ones that they might be unsure about.
Summer months tips: how to get kids to drink more water!
For great ideas from other dietitian mums, read the blog post for 7 tried and tested ways to get your toddler to drink water.
Water can be highly underrated by children, especially if they prefer the taste of sweetened drinks.
It can be seem a little boring, but it doesn’t have to be. Encourage them to want to drink more water by jazzing up their water just like you would your gin and tonic or favourite summer cocktail – use plenty of fruit!
Slices of oranges, lemons, limes, cucumber and frozen berries can work a treat.
Even herbs like mint, basil and rosemary are all great ways to add flavour and colour to their water, as well as ice to keep it cool.
If you grow your own herbs and vegetables, here’s a great way to use them.
Google ‘kids ice cube moulds’ and there are plenty of fantastic trays available online.
We hope that this has given you some ideas on how to make it easier to keep your children cool and hydrated over the summer months and that they love it too!
What did your kids enjoy the most? Leave a comment in the box below.
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Today’s post was contributed by The Nutrinerds. Edited and approved by Bahee Van de Bor, registered paediatric dietitian.
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