It’s summertime and boy can you feel it when you step outside: temperatures well about 90 degrees and humidity that makes it feel even hotter. Perfect weather for going to the beach! But for those of us not yet on vacation, here are some ideas of where you can take younger children without having to worry about heatstroke.

• The Library: Check out your local library! Not only is it air conditioned with free bathrooms, but libraries also host wonderful programming for people of all ages, from story time for younger children to book clubs for teens or adults. 

• Indoor Play Areas: Some fast food joints have indoor play areas that you can send your child in to burn off some extra energy while you can sit and relax. The Heritage Chick-Fil-A is the one I personally frequent the most. The play area has a netted obstacle course that allows me to see my little one at all times.

• Little Doodles Play Cafe: This Wakefield cafe offers themed play spaces for children as well as coffee and snacks for adults. A day pass costs $10/child and $8/sibling but there are membership options to help keep costs down. Click here to learn more.

• Games at Walmart/Target: The biggest of box stores provides long aisles to walk and plenty of things to see, which makes it perfect for games of “I Spy with My Little Eye”. Depending on the learning level of your child and amount of prep you want to do, bingo cards of colors, letters, numbers, or other things can also be enjoyable. I just found out that if you get certain Starbucks drinks at the café in Target you can get a refill before you leave!