Summer Family Fun: Beat the Heat with Cool Outings

I don’t know about you, but I am really feeling the heat. It’s that time of year when even the most hearty Minnesotans melt.  We try to remember what it’s like when it’s negative degrees in January, but it’s no use. While there are some you thrive in the heat, I know there are many of us who could do without the heat and humidity.

So FFTC is here once again with 6 ways to help stay cool during these hot summer days:


1) Find some AC stat

This list of 10 Free & Air-Conditioned Outings should keep you cool and comfortable during a heat wave. Kids should keep plenty of entertained with options like free summer movies, libraries with Play & Learn spaces, museums that are free any day of the week, storytimes at independent bookstores, and open gyms at local recreation centers where there’s never any charge to run off the wiggles.

My kid broke the fan yesterday.

2) Cool off with frozen treats

Just eyeing up a generous scoop at one of these Twin Cities Best Ice Cream Shops might be enough to lower the temperature a few degrees. Ice cream is delicious any time of the year, but particularly satisfies when you need a break from the heat! Jump over to the guide for some suggestions on shops organized by region of the Metro. We’re always adding new locations to our list – such as the unique rolled ice cream you’ll find at Wonders Ice Cream in St Paul and Minnesota’s most venerable shop, Selma’s Ice Cream Parlour in Afton. We’ve got you covered for fro-yo ideas, too.


3) Splash and stay happy

What kid doesn’t want to be around the water in the summer?  Be it a wading pool, splash pad, sandy beach or a full-on outdoor water park, the Twin Cities is filled with swimming holes. Find them all rolled into our handy Splash Happy guide and stay cool all season long.


4) Stay active out of the sun

Normally, we’d encourage anyone to head outside and take advantage of the few months a year we can play in the sunshine. However, there are those days when it’s just too darn hot to do so. In the case of those, we’ve rounded up a giant list of Twin Cities Indoor Playgrounds to gobble up the kids’ energy instead. Have you gone flying at Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park in Eagan or scaled Adventure Peak in Edina?


5) A good book always keeps you cool

Sometimes you need a day in the summer to recharge indoors. Libraries are the best in the summer – filled with stacks of books and cool, quiet corners to read them in. Plus, there are always free events – magic shows, storytimes, makerspaces, small festivals – going on every day of the week. Sign up your kids for a free Summer Reading program and start earning incentives for completing books (kids can read on their own or have an adult read to them) and other activities. Keep the literacy going all summer long!


6) Indoor games

List of Indoor Games & Activities for Kids - Boredom Busters for All Ages

Break out the board games and dust off the musical chairs! This list of 45 Indoor Games for Kids is categorized by age to make it easy to choose appropriate ones for your family. Great for super hot days, rainy days or just a day when you want to take a break from running around in the car.


I spent a Saturday morning with Kare11 brainstorming options for keeping cool and enjoying yourself during the hot summer months.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top