We have continued to stay home and only go out when needed to avoid getting COVID. It has been super challenging trying to keep 6 kids entertained this summer. In our past summers, we were rarely home. We were either bowling, going to the movies, the water park, etc. All our summer plans have come to a screeching halt. So, I have had to get quite creative. Since the days are super hot here most activities have been indoors and if we do anything outside it has to involve water.
When we moved into our home 4 years ago one of the things on our wish list was a swimming pool. We were not willing to budge on that. Our pool has been a huge form of my family’s entertainment but let’s face it kids get bored easily. The kids enjoy the pool but I had to change things up a bit so they would stay in the pool for longer than 5 minutes so that they would get fresh air and exercise. So we are having competitions on who can find the most diving sticks and diving for glow sticks in the pool at night. We even set up Little Tikes basketball hoop poolside for a little basketball in the pool.
I decided to try something different though. What about adding ice to the pool? I know it does not last long in warm pool water but still the few minutes it does last would be entertaining. So I grabbed all kinds of plastic containers (ice cream buckets, etc.) I could find and fill them with water and put them in the freezer overnight. Thankfully we have 3 freezers because I needed to make quite a few of these containers!
The following day I grabbed a big plastic tote bin and placed all of the frozen ice in the containers in the tote bin and brought it out by the pool. I handed each one of my kids a container with the ice in it. They then placed it in the pool water and as the ice began to melt the container pulled away from the ice. Since we used large containers there was quite a bit of ice which meant it lasted for at least 7-10 minutes of pool play. I was not sure what to expect, I thought my kids would think this was a bad idea but they loved it and they couldn’t wait for me to make more for next time!
What fun ways do you and your kids play in the pool?
This would be a great idea for my grandbaby’s water table. She would love the coldness
Such a clever idea! I bet your kids appreciated the creativity – looks like a blast!
This is a creative idea! I will tell my friend about this. Her family got a pool for the summer and her kids live in it!
I like this idea. It would also be a good teachable moment as well. Keeping kids busy this summer has been a challenge.
This is such a fun idea for our pool party!! Thanks for sharing!
I love this! Such a fun idea for our summer pool party!
This is such a fun idea! I bet even my teenagers would think it was fun to add ice to the pool this way! I think COVID has caused every mom in the world to be more creative in how she entertains her kids!
This is such a great idea. I’m so glad I stumbled upon this. My kids will enjoy this pool fun so much. Thanks!
Thats quite an idea indeed, thanks for sharing 🙂