An idea

Too-Hot-to-Go-Out Playdate Ideas

Indoor ideas for afternoons when the park is out of the question.

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Some afternoons it's simply too hot to go outside. The park is a frying pan and the kids have energy to burn.

Here's what works indoors.

Water play, in the bath or on the balcony

A tub of water, cups, a sponge, a few toys. Small kids will play for ages. Bigger kids want a target: "Fill this cup using only the sponge."

A living room obstacle course

Cushions to jump, a chair to crawl under, a line of tape to walk. Time each run. They'll want ten more goes.

Karaoke

A speaker and anything with a mic. Even shy kids get into it by the third song.

A marble run

Toilet rolls, tape, a wall. Engineering, basically.

The quiet end

The last half hour, switch it down. Drawing, a puzzle, an audiobook. Parents arrive to calm children, and you look like a genius.

If you want a couple of things that make this easier:

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