Story by Judy Goppert
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. All the sultry, steamy, boiling, muggy, sunny, sweaty shimmering everything! There are some fun ways to stay comfortable during this time of year in Kansas City.
Let’s take a look at some of them.
I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream!
It is a proven fact that feeling that melty delicacy on your tongue lowers your temperature considerably. There are plenty of spots to do just this. Poppy’s in Lee’s Summit is a favorite with flavors galore. Betty Rae’s in Waldo, Olathe, and River Market is another fav, as are Mixed Mutt Creamery in Independence for your pooch and One More Scoop in Belton. Find more online!
Languish in the Library
There is just nothing like stepping into the cool atmosphere filled with books in the summertime. Story times for children offer a needed respite for parents, and with all the couches and spaces, spending a few hours here will relax your spirit and prompt more reading for you and them.
Find a Lazy River!
Water parks are the perfect place to keep cool. Why not take a dip? Remember the sunscreen and hats and find shady spots to place your towel. Oceans of Fun is an icon here, and Summit Waves in Lee’s Summit offers plenty of water activities. The new Blue Surf Water Park is worth checking out in Blue Springs. Or walk down the street to your neighborhood pool! There is no cooler place than the water when it’s 100 degrees.
Wear Light-Colored Clothing
Albedo is the word that describes how light is reflected by a surface, and how lighter-colored clothing can allow you to keep the coolest and release some of the heat from your body. Drinking icy cold beverages lowers your temperature. Remember, an ice-cold glass of lemonade is more beneficial than an ice-cold beer!
Seek A/C!
The nice, cool stone walls of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art will agree with anyone of any age. The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures will transport you back in time. And don’t forget Union Station. They hold events year-round housed within the cool space of the historic station.
Grab your Popcorn and Head to a Movie or Show
Many theaters offer matinees during the summer, and there is just something magical that happens as the lights dim and the screen lights up. Hours in the cool confines will transport you to other worlds and you’ll emerge out into the heat of the day happier. Drive-in movie theaters are a fun way to spend the cooler evenings after the sun goes down. Stretch out in the back of a pick-up or on a lawn chair under the stars. Find a drive-in near you, such as B&B Theatres Twin in Independence, Boulevard Drive-In Theatre in KCK, or put on your sundress to attend a show at Starlight Theatre!
Seek Salads!
Eating on the lighter side makes anyone feel, well, “lighter.” Search for your own recipes online and check out your favorite restaurant for their fare. A great dressing is homemade vinaigrette, with just olive oil for your base, vinegar of choice, possibly a bit of honey, garlic, and salt and pepper. This will keep in the fridge for one to two weeks. You can pick up freshly made salads at any grocery store, and Panera and other restaurants boast new ones during summertime.
Water Balloons and Garden Hoses!
Have your kiddos put on their swimsuits and spend time filling water ballons in the backyard with their friends. Your dog will enjoy the cool playtime and fun too. A sprinkler is another simple cooling tool for a hot day. Put the hose on the top of the slide and let kids splash, slip and slide.
Head to the Lake!
With so many lakes around us there are plenty to choose from. Swim, float, sail, fish and build sandcastles on the beach at Longview Lake, Blue Springs Lake, Lake Jacomo, Smithville Lake, Lake Olathe, and more. Travel a bit further to Lake of the Ozarks or Table Rock Lake for a cool vacation.
Remember to freeze some fruit for snacks, keep a cooler handy and enroll your children in swimming lessons this summer. After all, there is no place like home in our Kansas City with all its changing seasons.
