Indoor Play Ideas During a Summer Heatwave

Summer is widely known as the season of fun. Longer days, warm weather, and a break from school makes it the perfect time to get out and enjoy the sunshine. But during July, August, and September, scorching temperatures can pose the risk of heat stroke, sunburn, and dehydration. Babies and toddlers, who have immature temperature regulation, are among those most at risk. Keep them inside during summer heatwaves and use these play ideas to keep them moving, learning, and entertained.

Create an indoor obstacle course

Obstacle courses are a great way to help kids of all ages improve motor planning and coordination. Use everyday objects in their playroom and/or living room to set up a fun, interactive course for them to follow. Depending on the age of your child, you can tailor the course to be developmentally appropriate and just challenging enough without being frustrating.

Crawling: Use pillows, bean bags, folded play mats, and pop-up tunnels to create a bumpy terrain that builds your baby’s core strength and balance.

Balancing: Have your toddler walk the length of a tube-shaped pillow or a long line of painter’s tape on the floor without falling over.

Jumping: Have your toddler hop on play cubes, couch cushions, or stepping stones to improve their balance and gross motor coordination.

Have fun with sensory play

Sensory play stimulates your baby or toddler’s senses and builds essential neural connections through play. Not only does it support brain development, it also facilitates gross motor and fine motor development by introducing different textures for them to reach, grasp, and squeeze.

Set up your little one on the floor on a waterproof play mat. You can place a towel over the mat if they’re playing with liquids to minimize mess and make cleanup easy.

Water + sponge: Fill a basin with water and drop a sponge inside. Guide your baby’s hands to pick up the sponge and squeeze the water out. Let them feel the sponge when it’s empty and then when it’s saturated with water.

Rice + beans: Fill a basin with dry, uncooked rice and beans and let your child explore the different textures. You can hide small objects and toys inside, then let your little one dig them out with their hands or a spoon.

Ice + water: Place ice cubes in a basin or on a baking sheet then add a little water to give it slip and prevent the ice from sticking to their skin. Let them explore the cold temperature, which also helps them cool off if it’s warm indoors.

Have an indoor picnic

There’s something about eating in a new environment that’s not only exciting for kids, but also helps them be more open to trying new foods. At lunch time, head to the living room for an indoor picnic on a mess-resistant picnic blanket. Stick to easy-to-grab finger foods, like tea sandwiches, veggie platters, fruit platters, and favorite snacks for an unconventional mealtime on the floor.

An indoor picnic is a fun way to change up their daily routine and encourage family bonding. Put your baby in a portable booster seat while they’re eating to keep them in the proper upright position to prevent choking. They’ll be able to join the rest of the family on the floor while being as safe as possible.

Go on a pretend camping trip

The beauty of a play tent is that it can be anything your child imagines. A rocketship flying to a distant planet, a pirate ship sailing on the high seas, a secret hideaway nestled in a treetop, or—just a tent in the middle of the woods.

Pop up their play tent and put a cushy play mat or play couch inside to make it extra comfortable. Close the blinds, grab your flashlights and snacks, and pretend you’re camping out deep in the forest. To make it extra immersive, put a crackling campfire video on the big screen or play a nature soundscape video for real ambiance.

Do yoga as a family

Introducing yoga to your toddler is a great way for them to develop body awareness, learn emotional regulation, and improve physical health. Set them up on a soft, supportive play mat, and practice simple poses and deep breathing exercises together. These toddler-friendly poses are easy to copy and playful enough to keep them engaged: