10 TIPS TO STAY ACTIVE AND BEAT THE HEAT!

  1. Take a dip in the pool at your local YMCA branch
    When the sun is in full force, jumping into a pool may be the best option for you to cool down. It’s not only a good way to keep the family entertained, but swimming has countless health benefits, including building endurance and improving muscle and cardiovascular strength. It also helps the kids exert a great deal of energy, which will relax them and make them sleep better. The Caldwell, Downtown Boise and West YMCA branches have a pool for your family to enjoy, and swimming lessons for family members of all ages. Find out more about adult aquatics programs here. More about our youth aquatics programs here.
  2. Play water games at home
    If you don’t have time to visit the pool or lake nearby, you can keep the kids refreshed this summer by being resourceful with items around your home. Use a wading pool and put in some fun toys and plastic glasses and bowls for everyone to play with. Or break out the sprinklers or water balloons and turn it into a fun game in your yard. If you want to venture out, you can try visiting a splash playground in your area or a local park with fountains or spray pads. Remember to always supervise children around water.
  3. Sign your kids up for a sports team
    Team sports can be a perfect way to help children improve skills, make new friends, be active with other kids, develop a love of the game and learn about sportsmanship. Our 4 YMCA locations across the Treasure Valley offer youth basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball and rock climbing. We also have courts available for racquetball and basketball at most locations. Find out more about youth sports here.
  4. Have indoor fun
    While the sun is blazing, you can always hang out in the fresh comfort of your air conditioning and get creative with family fun. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), GetKidsInAction.org and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education recommend playing a game of hide-and-seek or creating a mini obstacle course with pillows, sheets or boxes. You can also ask the kids to pitch in around the house by vacuuming, making beds or picking up toys, which can help them burn calories while checking off some items on the family’s chore list.
  5. Enroll the kids in our Summer Camps
    It’s always fun for kids to get out and interact with people their own ages during the summer. It also allows them to make lasting friendships outside of their school environment, which helps build their social skills. Our Summer Day Camps are packed with themed activities, crafts and games, swimming, sports and field trips under the watchful eyes of the fully-trained staff. There’s still a few weeks left of summer camps left! Your camper will have the best summer trying new activities, gaining independence and making lasting memories. Find out more here.
  6. Go outdoors at the best times
    Staying indoors too much can make the entire family stir-crazy, and getting outside may be the only cure for those summertime blues. If your family wants to venture outdoors, choose the times wisely. According to the CDC, the hottest time of the day is between 10 a. and 4 p. when the sun is at its strongest, so it’s best to avoid the outdoors then. When you go outside, make sure that the entire family wears plenty of sunscreen. The general rule of thumb is to use SPF 15 or higher with both UVA and UVB protection and to apply about a shot glass full every two hours.
  7. Enjoy our Y fitness classes as a family
    You are never too young or old to start a healthy lifestyle, and the Y offers a variety of fitness classes for people of all ages and abilities. Treasure Valley Family YMCA branches have youth yoga and group fitness classes to get your children and teens active in a safe and supervised environment. We also have plenty of exercise classes for adults, including studio cycling, circuit training, Zumba, Pilates, and yoga, just to name a few. To learn more about family fitness options, click here, or download our app from the Apple App Store, or Google Play.
  8. Make healthy meals together
    Spending time as a family is one of the most important things you can do, and there’s no better opportunity to do this than before and during dinner. To keep the kids engaged and healthy this summer, try asking them to help out in the kitchen in age-appropriate ways, like washing vegetables or mixing up a salad. To learn more about YMCA cooking and nutrition education click here.
  9. Take dance lessons together
    There’s no better way to get the family moving than to boogie your days away in a dance class offered at one of our Treasure Valley Family YMCA locations. The kids can take ballet, hip-hop and dance classes. There are also plenty of dance classes available for adults. To learn more visit your local branch, or see our youth Art, Dance & Music enrichment programs here.

  10. Keep the family hydrated
    Always remember that water is your best friend this summer, as it can help keep your family cool and hydrated while helping you avoid any heat-related ailments. The amount of water that a child needs may vary by age, weight, and gender, but the general consensus is that they should drink at least six to eight cups of water a day. Remember to grab that water bottle! When the kids are out in the hot weather or while they are exercising, they need to drink at least a half cup to two cups of water every 15 to 20 minutes.

Sponsors