Cool Summer Fun Out Of The Hot Sun

14 ways to chill during the Triangle’s warmer months

- Cathy Downs

Looking for ways to spend some time outdoors with your kids this summer, but don’t want to swelter under the hot, midday sun? The Triangle is full of fun, family-friendly activities you can embark on in the early morning or evening, when it’s cooler.

To get you started charting a fun (and educational) summer, we’ve compiled a list of places to go and things to do. And since we’re moms, we’re compelled to remind you to wear sunscreen and bug repellent, be sure you’re back to your car by dusk, and check for ticks after spending time in grassy or woodsy areas.

Try the following activities — many of which you can do right at home.

1. Catch fireflies. 

If you use a jar, punch holes in the lid so the fireflies have oxygen, and release them after a short time. Also called lightning bugs, fireflies are actually beetles. The cold light they produce comes from a chemical reaction that occurs in a light-emitting organ located in their lower abdomen. 

2. Make homemade ice cream or smoothies.

Making the old-fashioned, hand-cranked kind of ice cream may take longer, but it gives everyone a chance to slow down. Add strawberries, peaches or peppermint candy for an added treat. If you want to introduce a nutritious frozen snack to your kids, try making fruit-filled smoothies with a scoop of protein powder.

3. Look for wildlife.

Visit one of the many parks in our area to hike a trail that leads to forested lands or that borders a body of water to see a variety of wildlife native to the Triangle area. (Go to carolinaparent.com/ cp/family-fun and search the “outdoor recreation” category.)