Surviving Summer: Indoor Activities for Stir-Crazy Kids

I live in a modest, 1100 square foot home. I live in this cottage with three children, a rabbit, two snakes, a Great Dane, an opinionated Dachshund with a serious attitude, and a husband who is fortunate enough to spend most of his day outside of this insanity. Yesterday, it was 111 degrees outside. The day before, 114. The humidity is at 60%, and my children have been outside TWICE in the last nine days. Needless to say, I have been forced to become very creative when it comes to entertaining them. Ingenuity was beyond necessary to overcome the fighting, whining, whimpering and constant cries for attention…and that’s just the dogs! I have compiled a list of indoor activities that have spared what little sanity I have left. Perhaps you could use a little help too!

Camp out!

With the impending California energy crisis, we have been trying to participate in conservation. Considering we don’t have air conditioning, part of me feels we’re already doing our part, but in the name of good clean fun, I came up with a plan to conserve both energy and my own well-being. Turn your largest room into a campground! Turn all the lights off, close the curtains, making it as dark as possible. Bring your dining table in, cover it in a large sheet, (a blanket is too hot and heavy!), tell stories, sing campfire songs, (just pretend the heat is from the fire), and consider having a carpet (or in my case, wood laminate) picnic! Throw a blanket on the floor, fix up some sandwiches, hotdogs, or even microwaved s’mores, and enjoy! You’ll pass the time so quickly, your kids just might forget to argue.

Get "Beachy"!