1. Create A Chilled Out Sleeping Space
Keep the blinds closed during the day or use a fan or an air conditioner and if a cool breeze sets in at dusk and it’s safe to do so, let the winds blow in! If you don’t have fly screens, protect little ones from mosquitoes and other insects with a Mortein NaturGard Multi-Insect Automatic Spray Indoor Odourless. It’s made with 98% natural ingredients and with 1.4% synthetic actives, is odourless and each refill lasts up to 30 days. The best part? Your family can be protected before they get bitten, as the system offers continuous protection, dispensing spray (no more than 3-4 seconds of regular fly spray over 24 hours), to give critters the old ‘bug off’ before they even present themselves. Insect deterrents – we love that!
If the kids are still breaking a sweat between the sheets, pop a cold face flannel in the freezer for 20 minutes for their foreheads and place it by the bedside. They can cool themselves down as required during the night.
2. Look Cool, Act Cool
Dress the kids in natural fibres that allow their skin to breathe – light-weight cotton, bamboo, linen and hemp are good picks. For active kids, dress them in moisture-wicking active wear to keep them dry, or think relaxed, non-clingy outfits like skirts, shorts, tanks and smock cuts. At home, let them strip down to the bare minimum and keep high-energy exercise off the agenda.
3. Take A Splash
Take advantage of Australia’s great outdoors and chill out with water sports. Okay, we know on scorching hot days that running around is not a great idea – but all those ‘just right’ sunny days require taking advantage of. Pack the kids for a day at the beach or local pool (one with shady trees, preferably) and spend the day bonding! Have a water balloon or watergun family fight, switch on the backyard sprinkler, set up the paddling pool and slip ‘n slide and have the best fun ever getting saturated! This is what family memories are made of!
4. Relive The Ice-Age
There are loads of icy cold beverage ideas the kids will get super excited about. Pop flavoured water into the fridge for an hour then stir like crazy for a DIY frosty. Have the in-laws over? Make a mega batch of fruit-infused water drinks and iced-tea, fill with ice and leave the dispenser on the bench for everyone to help themselves. Have little children? Make fruit blocks together – pop your liquid (I like smoothies with almond milk, frit and yoghurt) into animal shape ice cubes then freeze for fun afternoon treats. Need something with a bit more fizz? Throw a handful of berries, ice and soda water into the blender for a berry nice slushie.
5. Hang Out At Cool Places
Cool, as in fun and low in temperature – we’re talking air conditioned venues! Take
the troops to the movies, library, shopping centres (read: toy or games section, don’t even think about taking them adult clothes shopping!), bowling alleys, ice-skating, art and craft studios or whatever your local community offers.
6. Have A Picnic
Balmy days, shady parks, Frisbee and cricket – sounds like the perfect recipe to chill out with the family and enjoy some tasty sandwiches. Keep the Esky well stocked, take a pop up tent or gazebo if shade isn’t available and stop the clocks. Pack some odourless spray-on or roll-on Aerogard, suitable for kids 12 months and over to repel those annoying mosquitoes, flies and other biting insects for up to 4 hours.
Or pack some Mortein NaturGard Fly & Mosquito Killer Odourless, with more than 90 per cent natural ingredients and with 0.2% synthetic actives to effectively kill buzzing flies and mosquitoes fast.
This is a sponsored post by Mortein. All opinions expressed by the author are authentic and written in their own words.