Sharing summer survival tips

Hello friends!  Today I thought we could all share tips of fun things to do in the summer heat.  What's a great way you keep your kids busy?  Do you have special trips or treats you keep in your back pocket, ready to whip out when you want the kids to play hard and nap harder on hot days?  Do the kids take long baths with extra special toys? Is there something special you do at the library? Do you shamelessly feed them ice cream?  I'd love to hear what it is!

Feel free to post your adventure on your own blog, leaving a comment so I know to include you in a list I'll update in this post.  And if you don't blog please tell me your secret tip in the comment box.

Here's who's playing along:
Marie
Cynthia
Lisa

Here's mine:

This is something that is sure to make me an amazing super mom to my kids - I take them to McDonald's for lunch, followed by playing in the play area, followed by ice cream on the way home. 

I am brilliant in my execution of these special outings.  In the morning I tell the kids that if they are good we will go to McDonald's.  They are then well behaved.  They obey, don't fight, use good manners.  Of course I may have to threaten taking McDonald's away - and once I had to follow through on that - but now they know and my life is easier.

The first catch is we only go to McD's that have indoor play areas.  I'm not sitting in the heat, people. 

The second catch is they have to eat most of their lunch before we can leave the restaurant area to play.  They always comply.

They then play, climbing up and sliding down.  We're usually there for 25 minutes or so.  JF and I watch while Ben and L conquer their fears on the ascent and squeal with delight on the way down. 

Then, and this is important, I tell the kids that it's time to go but I promise them ice cream to eat on the way home.  This is gold, people, gold.  One small cup of ice cream to go plus lots of napkins and we are happily and cooperatively walking to the van.  Then I halve the ice cream, putting L's portion in the lid and I have three full, tired, happy, strapped in kids - ready for naps and quiet time when we get home.