Beat the Heat: Just Add Water!

Water Ball: Players use homemade plastic scoops (just cut the bottom off an empty milk or water jug and cover the edge with tape) to catch and throw a water balloon back and forth until it bursts.

Make an Ice Boat: The key to winning an ice boat race is to outlast the competition. On a steamy day, launch these boats in a wading pool and see whose melts last. To make an ice boat, you'll need a pint-size juice carton, food coloring, duct tape, a 12-inch wooden dowel, colored cellophane, and a stapler.

Fill the carton with one and one-half cups of water and several drops of food coloring. Seal the top with duct tape and shake gently. Lay the sealed carton on its side and use a craft knife (parents only) to cut an X through the center of the side facing up. Push the dowel through the opening and set the carton in the freezer overnight.

Next cut out a cellophane sail (an oblong triangle) and staple it around the dowel. Finally cut the carton away from the frozen boat and slip the sail onto the mast. You're now ready for some boating fun!

Don't let the heat turn your kids' summer vacation into the summertime blues! Get out the water and have a wet and wild time keeping cool!