Staying hydrated and wearing sunscreen are key to surviving long summer days, but we think beating the heat can be a little more fun. From spraygrounds and museum exhibitions to stand up paddle board yoga (you read that right — paddle board yoga), there are plenty of entertaining, budget-friendly ways to keep cool this season.
Stay cool in the summer sun with these 5 ideas:
1. Visit your local museums
Have an indoor adventure with a trip to one of the many museums in the area. Travel through time with Skip the Screen!, a family-friendly treasure hunt across N.C.’s seven history museums. This entertaining event runs through Aug. 31 and offers screen-free activities, both in the museum and at home, with a chance to win prizes.
2. Stop by a splash pad
After closing for repairs, the popular sprayground at Jack Smith Park is back and ready for summer visitors. The sprayground boasts seven water features and is the perfect way for kiddos age 12 and under to keep cool this summer. The park, located on Penny Road near Holly Springs Road, also has a dog park, picnic shelter, playground and a 10-foot-tall climbing boulder.
3. Head to the movies
Catch a movie on the big screen and cool off in the A/C! With theaters open again and summer blockbusters back on the schedule, it’s the perfect season for cinema lovers. Theaters like B&B Theatres Park West 14 and Regal Crossroads & IMAX also offer summer kids series with family-friendly classics at a discounted price.
Combine water sports with a relaxing yoga flow in a stand up paddle board yoga class from Soul Honey Yoga & SUP. Photo by Jeb Graff.
4. Try an outdoor activity on the water
The easiest way to cool off is to head to one of our local lakes and get out on the water. If you’re looking for something new to try, check out stand up paddle board yoga from Soul Honey Yoga & SUP. Enjoy a slow, vinyasa style yoga flow on a paddle board at Harris Lake. You might fall in, but who doesn’t want to go for a swim to beat the summer heat? Read more about outdoor adventures on the water in Main & Broad.
5. Take a trip to your local library
Peruse the stacks and scope out a new summer read at your local library. With a host of virtual book discussions, workshops and sessions at Wake County Public Libraries, there’s something on the calendar for everyone to enjoy. If you prefer in-person events, Eva Perry Regional Library offers weekly events for kids of all ages, including teens!
