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Nature's Coolers
Survive summer the way the animals do: by taking advantage of Mother Nature's rippling streams, salty ocean waves, invigorating ponds and lakes, dew-covered early mornings and quiet, moonlit evenings.
CREEK WALK
Find a rock- or sand-bottomed stream, put on some old shoes (or Nike Aquasocks or similarly amphibious footwear you might have), and make the stream your path. You can wear life jackets or hold hands so one person doesn't tumble into a deep spot or trip on a rock. Turn over rocks to see the tiny larvae that live there or find perfectly flat rocks for skipping. Gather leaves, sticks and bark, and construct your own boats. Have one person stand downstream and act as both a race judge and a wrecked-boat collector and then set the crafts to sea.
FRUITY ICE CREAM
Spend the morning at a berry farm or orchard picking the freshest produce, then pass the heat of the day churning it into ice cream. The old-fashioned ice-cream makers, which require that you add ice to the bucket, are particularly cooling on a hot day. Because the fruit is heavier than the cream, add the fruit about halfway through the process, when the mixture has become more solid. If you don't have an ice-cream maker, mix your berries with store-bought ice cream to make a sundae or a smoothie.
SINK OR FLOAT?
This guessing game for little kids can be played at a nearby pond or in a wading pool. Players collect different objects—leaves, shells, paper, pennies—from around the area or from the house. Then, they drop them one by one into the water, predicting before each object is dropped whether it will sink or float. Players get a point for each correct guess.
MOONLIGHT MADNESS
Plan a neighborhood or family party for the night of the full moon—when the sun retreats, the temperatures drop, and it is once again possible to run without risking heatstroke. The light of the full moon provides enough visibility for most games, and it is especially appropriate for hiding games, such as sardines and hide-and-seek. No heat-generating grills are allowed at this party; serve only no-cook foods and icy drinks.
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