5 smart ways I keep my kids busy and happy in summers

Believe it or not, I am actually in Delhi right now with my kids, on vacation for a short week, making them bear this unbearable heat and scorching sun. I am a Delhiite and I have family here, and this is the only time when we get so many days off.

The thing about Delhi heat is that it is not sweaty, but is mostly dry. Which is sometimes a good thing, but can also make you dehydrated without realizing so. It is difficult to make kids listen to you and not go out in the sun, so we tried a few ideas to figure out how we could hold this gang of young bachchas in the house.

The age range is between 2 and 10, so we had to come up with a lot of ideas, some of which did seem to work really fine. Here are some things we are doing right now that are keeping the kids entertained, and also away from the heat of the Delhi sun.

1. Land of make believe: Yes, this is one of the most sought after activities that the kids love to do, not really counting the 2-year-old. Each day I give the kids a theme, based on which they have to search the house for props and whatever and create their own play time.

It could be some roleplay they carry out, some song and dance they come up with, or anything of their choice. The idea is to give them a topic and let them get creative with however they want to express it.

2. Wall art: All kids love scribbling and drawing, and what better way to encourage them than to start displaying their artwork? I have given the kids free leeway into creating their very own masterpieces, that I have promised will be showcased on the walls once the week is almost up. This activity is not just restricted to paper and crayons, but it could be using anything, even something as basic as sticks and leaves collected in the park.

This activity is not just restricted to paper and crayons, but it could be using anything, even something as basic as sticks and leaves collected in the park.

3. Fun zones in the mall: I know this is not the most out of the box ideas, but sometimes, it is good to take them out of the house and roam around. Most malls in Delhi have very good play areas, and this particular mall in Noida also has a snow zone that is a lot of fun, at least for half an hour. Once you are out, you can let the kids warm up with some hot chocolate and Maggi, then go home and take a nap.

4. Under the table picnic:  Our family dining table has been hijacked by these kiddies and turned into a permanent picnic area, at least for now. I close the curtains of the room and have placed a big sheet on the table, which reaches down till the floor.

This makes it into a perfect secret place for the kids. They go in with some light snacks and fruits, and we keep supplying them with lemonades, RoohAfza milk, shikanji, sherbets and such, to keep them well fed and hydrated.

The last and most fun thing to do on a summer day is definitely hit the pool. If you have a swimming pool in your building or home, great, otherwise you can always use an inflatable pool and let the kids enjoy some cool moments in these summer days.

Also Read: Taking a road trip with your kids this summer? Here's what you should keep in mind

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