42 Ways to Stay Cool This Summer

Oh, the lazy days of summer. We know moms are on the hunt for refreshing summer beverages, cool snacks, and activities that will keep the kids busy—without overheating anyone. We turned to our team of Savvy Storytellers for a flurry of ways to keep everyone chilled out this summer. Stay cool, kids.

Could there be anything cooler than your very own teepee to hang out in? It provides the perfect shady spot for games, naps, colouring or reading.

These pops are simple, healthy and easy. They freeze faster than regular juice pops, thanks to the fact that they're chock full of blended frozen fruit.

What's ice painting, you ask? It's like painting with water colours, only way more fun, and way more chill.

These pretty pink pops are made with real, fresh ingredients—just lemons, water, sugar and grenadine. Cute and sweet, just like your wee one.

Take a classic Canadian game, make it kid-sized, and put a summer spin on it. Brilliant! This game is perfect for family gatherings.

Say goodbye to sugary fruit juice and sodas. Just add fresh fruits, cucumber and mint leaves to regular old ice water to ensure that your kids will keep coming back for more.

The kids will love the bright rainbow colours in these pops, and you'll love all the fruit they're getting. Rocket pops begone!

We're still deciding which part we like better—that these flax-coated banana pieces are super-duper healthy, or that little chefs can shake up a batch themselves. Win-win.

Oh sangria, the cost-effective entertaining trick that makes cheap wine taste great. From a night in with the girls to a large backyard barbecue, there is no occasion where this Spanish-style wine-based cocktail isn't perfect.

Here's one that work-at-home moms are sure to enjoy as much as the kids—a backyard waterpark. Squirt gun target practice, water painting and ice excavation are just a few of the activities they'll be doing for hours.

We'll be snacking on this totally guilt-free treat all summer long. Throw some berries on top for an extra healthy (and extra yummy) frozen snack.

Would you ever invite people over for dinner and then (gasp) not cook at all? We bet that on a hot summer's day, any one of these no-cook dishes would be welcome.

These super refreshing, super satisfying slushies have only three ingredients, meaning more time on the patio and less time in the kitchen. We're big fans.

This one's a breeze to set up—it just takes a bit of planning. Freeze some creatures in a bowl to make a frozen ocean world, and let the kiddos 'rescue' them by excavating them as the ice melts (set out salt to speed things along). This activity is sure to keep curious tots busy for a while.

Some summer days, it's almost too hot to think, let alone cook. On those occasions, turn to this super simple salad that's light and juicy (thanks to generous cubes of watermelon) and super flavourful (thanks to leaves of fresh mint and some crumbled feta).

All kids know and love the creamy, chocolatey pops known as fudgesicles. But give them this pop, with a secret green ingredient, and we swear their taste buds won't know the difference.

This fun twist on the classic game will get everyone involved at your next family barbeque. We love that kids of a variety of ages can all join in.

When the mercury rises, lazy weekend breakfast fare means serving something lighter—bonus points if it doesn't require turning on the oven or stove. Spread out smoked salmon, capers, cream cheese and other chill toppings and let guests compose their own deluxe bagels.

This cocktail is sweet, light, refreshing and maybe a little too easy to drink. Fresh mint and seasonal rhubarb mix for a summery combination we adore.

Those with dairy allergies, rejoice! You won't believe how sweet and delicious this dairy-free treat is. It's perfect for anyone who has eliminated dairy from their diets, or those looking for a healthier alternative to ice cream.

Ever feel like you need a professional trip planner to organize all your gear and corral the kids—all for what amounts to a simple outing? Streamline it, and stay fashionably cool, with these picks.

We love a sweet and fruity drink as much as anyone, but there's definitely a limit to how much sugar we're willing to ingest. Enter agua frescas, which hit our sweet spot perfectly.

Having food allergies or sensitivities shouldn't mean you have to say goodbye to indulgent, sweet treats. This showstopper of a pie is gluten-free, and vegan too.

There's only one thing that beats a tall, frosty glass of lemonade on a hot day, and that's a tall, frosty glass of real, fresh, homemade lemonade. Here's how to make this classic thirst quencher.

Flowers, potatoes, even their hands—it's all fair game in this sunny craft.

We're admittedly a bit obsessed with our Zoku Quick Pop Maker, and these creamy, tart pops with big pieces of fruit were made with the Zoku in mind.

Easy, inexpensive, and loads of fun—the kids can mix up the solution and get creative with 'wands' from around the house.

Gelato purists know that fior di latte is the creme de la creme—gelato in its purest form. Learn how to replicate this show-stopping Italian classic at home (it's easier than you think).

Small ones will have a blast splishing, splashing and clapping their way through this rainbow foam. You might say they'll jump right in to this fun craft.

Why do we call this one 'summer sun'? One sip and you'll see why—this tropical blend tastes like sunshine.

If your fam is a fan of the classic banana split, why not do all of the prep work in advance and make banana split freezer pops that can be easily enjoyed when the weather is right? They're full of fresh fruit and have no added sugar, too, so we're fully on board.

These multicoloured crowd-pleasers are perfect for large gatherings. Older kids can even help with the assembly.

Most sangria recipes will call for a can of soda to be mixed in, but for a lighter, easier-on-the-sugar take, we love this version which omits pop in lieu of sparkling water and a bit of simple syrup.

All you need is a bunch of ice cube trays, a little food colouring, and some freezer space to make this fun activity—perfect for really hot weather—complete.

There's something so refreshing and invigorating about a simple iced tea. Give yourself a pick-me-up by steeping up one today.

Adding a bit of honey to these yogurt pops ensures that your little ones will gobble them down. Enlist a mini sous chef to layer the fruit and yogurt in these fun pops—they'll love munching their designer treats.

Nothing tastes like summer quite like the classic combo of peaches and cream. Kids have been known to gobble down these pudding pops like their going, well, out of season.

Whether you're pregnant and looking for some good summer mocktails, or you're just looking for a fresh bevvy to stir up for the fam this summer, this vanilla bean-infused drink is a fresh take on an old classic.

Shake, shake, shake! This homemade treat requires no special equipment—just a little patience. Shake up something sweet!

On your mark, get set, go! Tots will have a blast racing marbles down a just-their-size water slide.

These pudding pops are sure to be an absolute hit with those who have a sweet spot for tropical fruit—or the famous cocktail.

A traditional frosty is a delicious treat, but we're not so keen on all the sugar and cream that's in it. This recipe was developed by no less than a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, and is safe for those with egg, dairy, and gluten allergies.