What do you do with kids in this heat? (Orlando: camp, live)

[katestar]

So this is the beginning of my 5th year in Orlando. Quiet honestly, once things line up for us (2-3 years) we will be moving somewhere with a better climate. The heat is tolerable, but for so many months it becomes depressing.

I'm wondering what you families with young children do in the summer. We just had a baby and are looking for activities, but it's impossible to be outdoors. She sweats in the car seat, if I carry her in a carrier then we're both uncomfortable. What we end up doing is strolling the mall or one of the museums or large stores just to get out of the house!

[FloridaNative35]

Babies can be hard. But an infant would also be difficult in a colder climate during the winter.

KIDS are easy.

Splash pads are great. Free or cheap, good for kids too young to swim. Parents can play, too, or rest on a shady bunch while little ones play. Summer Fun: Orlando Splash Pads

If you have older kids AND an infant, bring a blanket and let the baby hang out in the shade while the older kids play in the splash pad.

For swimmers, there's public pools and a billion springs and state parks for cooling down. Ditto the blanket idea if the older kids can swim without you in the water with them.

Some places, like the History Center in downtown, offer affordable (and educational) summer camp programs, so you can spend time in the AC with the baby.

Also, evening activities are a good idea... after the afternoon rains. Maybe mini golf (you can also do this inside), art classes (good even for 2 or 3 year olds with baby watching), etc. Plus, the Y offers fun child care AND kiddie stuff while mom works out! Not sure what ages, though.

If you're really looking for activities FOR an infant, I'm not sure what to recommend. What would you be doing if the weather was nice? Strolling around outside? Doesn't seem much better than strolling around a museum to me.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by FloridaNative35

Babies can be hard. But an infant would also be difficult in a colder climate during the winter.

Actually it's much easier than someplace very hot like here. One simply dresses them in layers and they're fine save the extremely cold weather a few weeks of the year. It sure beats the several months of intolerable heat here. Plus one doesn't necessarily have to move that far north to eliminate the long summers. Northern GA/SC for example has four distinct seasons without extreme summers and winters.

[OrlFlaUsa]

The "intolerable" heat is merely an opinion, I know plenty of people who's kids do just fine playing outside during summer.

[chopchop0]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Actually it's much easier than someplace very hot like here. One simply dresses them in layers and they're fine save the extremely cold weather a few weeks of the year. It sure beats the several months of intolerable heat here. Plus one doesn't necessarily have to move that far north to eliminate the long summers. Northern GA/SC for example has four distinct seasons without extreme summers and winters.

Everywhere along the coast has some extreme summer days, even NYC. Ever been there on a heatwave day?

[anya3]

To me it was just a matter of doing things at different times of the day. I always took my kids for walks early in the morning when the weather was cooler. The middle of the day was for lunch, naps, and an indoor activity. Then in the evening we were back outside again.

We also used to made use out of splash areas, museums, etc.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by chopchop0

Everywhere along the coast has some extreme summer days, even NYC. Ever been there on a heatwave day?

Of course they do and yes I have. The point is they last for a few days at a time usually versus 5 straight months here.

[katestar]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Of course they do and yes I have. The point is they last for a few days at a time usually versus 5 straight months here.

Yes this is my point. When we lived back in CT/NJ, it was understood that for July/August, you did indoor things or water things or stayed inside. To do that for 5-7 months out of the year is depressing. I want to be able to take a walk with her in the stroller outside. I find the mornings too hot, even before 9 and the evenings are OK but only after 6 or 7. Being able to go to a park outdoors is SO much better than strolling around the Florida Mall.

We tried going to the springs and having her under the shade. It was way too hot. We got there at 8:30am and by 11 I was ready to leave - it was stuffy and unbearable being outside any longer.

[katestar]

Originally Posted by OrlFlaUsa

The "intolerable" heat is merely an opinion, I know plenty of people who's kids do just fine playing outside during summer.

I understand but I can't bear being outside during the day in this heat. Opinion or not, it holds true for me. After about 20 minutes I start to feel sick.

[OrlFlaUsa]

Originally Posted by katestar

I understand but I can't bear being outside during the day in this heat. Opinion or not, it holds true for me. After about 20 minutes I start to feel sick.

Fair enough. Move to the PNW or Cali then.