Beat the Heat: 3 Heat-Inspired, Kid-Friendly Activities to Do Inside

School is out and the beaches are full—the dog days of summer are in full swing. Kids are home all day and looking for activities to stay busy while school is out. But those hot temperatures can make outdoor activities—well, uncomfortable.

For parents, high outdoor temperatures mean more responsibility to keep kids comfortable and entertained. Sure, your children may not want to sit around inside all day on their summer vacation, but staying out of the heat can help keep them cool and avoid heat-related injuries.

Instead of sizzling in the heat—play with it instead. We’ve rounded up three easy science experiments to do at home that explore the science of heat, while keeping cool indoors. They’re kid-friendly and educational—perfect for those scorching summer days when you don’t want to be outside.

So, don’t let the high temperatures keep your kids down this summer and try out these fun, educational activities.

Experiment #1: How to Make Fog in a Bottle

Making fog is easier than it sounds, with minimal preparation and very little cleanup.

Materials needed:

• A bottle
• Hot water
• Plastic bag
• Ice cubes

Steps:

1. Fill your jar with very hot water for approximately 60 seconds.
2. Pour out the majority of the water and place a tied plastic bag full of ice cubes over the top.
3. Watch as fog begins to form inside the jar. 

That’s it! How easy was that? Water droplets should begin to form in the jar and run down the sides. Fog forms when cool air mixes with warm, moist air over water. Your kids will be able to see it happening right in front of them.   

Experiment #2: Instant Ice

After working with heat, let’s switch it up and make some ice. In this experiment, you and your kids will create instant ice in a breeze with ingredients you already have around your house.

Materials needed:

• A bottle of room temperature purified water
• A glass
• Ice cubes

Steps:

1. Place your bottle of purified water in the freezer.
2. Let it sit for two hours.
3. Carefully remove the bottle.
4. Clear the condensation off the sides of the bottle.
5. Hit the bottle gently against a counter and watch as ice appears. 

Along with hitting the bottle against a surface, feel free to pour water slowly over a glass of ice cubes and watch as it freezes instantly. Or try pouring water into an empty glass and add a single ice cube. Watch as the water quickly freezes.

Experiment #3: Solar Oven

Have your kids ever wanted to make s’mores without a firepit? Well, we have the perfect solution. A solar oven is just what they need to enjoy these gooey s’mores without the mess.

Materials needed:

• Pizza box
• Aluminum foil
• Pen or pencil
• Ruler
• Glue
• Black construction paper
• Knife or box cutter (parental assistance suggested)
• Plastic wrap
• Tape
• A wooden skewer
• Graham crackers
• Marshmallows
• Chocolate

Steps:

1. Draw a square on top of your pizza box about 1 inch away from the edge. 
2. Have an adult cut along the square, leaving the side that runs along the hinge of the box intact.
3. Line the inside of the cardboard flap with aluminum foil, shiny side up, and glue into place.
4. Cover the foil with plastic wrap. Use tape to attach the plastic wrap to the edges of the lid. If needed, seal any gaps between different sheets of plastic wrap with clear tape.
5. Line the inside of the box on the opposite side with foil and glue it into place.
6. Glue black paper to the bottom of the box over the top of the foil.
7. Use a wooden skewer to prop the flap open at a 90-degree angle from the rest of the box. Tape the skewer into place.
8. Your solar oven is ready for cooking! Place the box in a very bright and sunny spot and assemble s’mores. Place each s’more on aluminum foil and lay it on the black paper in your oven.
9. Close the clear lid and watch as the chocolate melts and marshmallows become gooey.

 
The heat from the sun bounces off the aluminum foil in your box and cooks the s’mores at a slow and steady pace. How long do you think it’ll be until they’re ready to eat?

 
Whether it’s hot or cold out, we hope your kids learn something from these three easy activities while they take a break from the hot summer sun. Be sure to share any photos of your family and scientists-in-the-making conducting them with us on social media! Find us on Facebook, Instagram and X.