Summers in Brentwood can be hot, hot, hot! While we often catch a break of perfect 80 degree days, when the thermometer starts pushing past 100 degrees what’s a parent to do?
1. Ice Sensory Play – Forget the complicated tutorials on Pinterest and just plop some ice and water in a sturdy bin along with a few bath toys. Blue food coloring optional! This is a great activity to do outside when it feels too hot to play outside.
2. Water Play Tables – If your little one loves splashing in the water, a small waterplay table is a good investment. You can often find them at the big box stores for under $40, and when you are done, drain the bottom into a bucket and use it to water your plants. You can teach your little ones about the importance of water conservation in a drought-prone state – once they spend an afternoon splashing around in some they will realize what a precious resource water is!
3. Brentwood Aquatic Center – The large splash pool features three water features including a very small and gentle bubbling ball for the smallest tots. Rest assured: the lifeguards we observed are very vigilant, counting heads and ensuring all guests play safely. There are several lifeguards for each pool area, so even if your little ones aren’t great swimmers yet this is still a fun way to spend a family afternoon. Check the hours before you go but the Public Swim summer hours are generally 1 pm – 5 pm. Along with a shaded area to lounge the pool sells concessions from Menchies and Sticky Chicken and Ribs, two local favorites.
4. Parks with Water Play: The image featured is from Blue Goose Park off O’Hara Avenue but the park downtown as well as a few in Oakley offer water play/splash pad areas.
5. Indoor Activities: Every parent knows come summer, a stock of indoor activities can prove to be invaluable. Make summer reading a part of your summer routine and help to instill a lifelong love of books. The local libraries always run summertime reading programs if your kids need a little motivation, but sometimes reading indoors with the AC on can compete with the pool 🙂
Stay cool!
Leave a Reply