I’m a Mom of 2 Living in the Desert—These Are the 8 Items I Use to Keep My Kids Cool During Heat Waves
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The mom of a toddler and a baby shares the must-have items to survive scorching hot summer days, starting at $8.
Parents / Amazon(2); Pehr
When I moved to the desert in Southern California three years ago, I was ready for the heat. After growing up in the Northeast and enduring NYC winters for the last decade, I was elated to trade parkas for year-round sundresses. But the summer is especially brutal. Temperatures regularly push 120 degrees in July and August, and most desert dwellers stay inside to wait out the hottest parts of the day. That can be challenging as a parent of a toddler and a baby. Inevitably, there are times when we have to go out. When that happens, these are the essentials I always bring to keep my kids cool and comfortable—they’re must-haves for anyone experiencing a hot summer, whether or not you live in an actual desert.Magnelex Car Windshield Sunshade
Amazon
$18
$14
Buy on Amazon
If you’re driving and parking your car anywhere on a hot summer day, you absolutely need a sunshade. I bought this one when we moved to the desert and it makes a huge difference in how hot my parked car becomes when left in the sun. Using it also helps the AC cool down my car faster once I turn it back on. This sunshade comes in multiple sizes to fit various windshields, and I like that it includes a storage pouch so I can tuck it away when I’m driving. I can’t believe I didn’t have it living in the Northeast for all of the hot, sticky days I experienced there, too. Dreambaby Deluxe EZY-Fit Clip-On Fan
Amazon
$13
$8
Buy on Amazon
We purchased a clip-on fan our first summer in the desert and used it on our car seats and the stroller. It’s not as powerful as blasting AC, but it does help to keep the air moving and make kiddos a bit more comfortable in hot cars or when taking a stroll outside. I prefer this battery-operated fan with foam blades to more powerful options, as the latter are typically made from plastic. Even when guarded by plastic shields, curious little fingers will inevitably attempt to reach inside, so the foam gives me peace of mind.Thermos Kids' 12oz Stainless Steel FUNtainer Water Bottle
Target' title='Thermos Kids' 12oz Stainless Steel FUNtainer Water Bottle with Bail Handle'>
Target
$17
Buy on Target
The most important thing you can do on a hot day is stay hydrated. Forgetting to drink water won’t just keep you uncomfortably warm; it’s dangerous and puts you and your kids at risk of becoming seriously ill. I always bring bottles filled with water for my kids, but I’ve made the mistake of leaving sippy cups in the car only to come back to near-boiling water that no one wants to touch. To prevent this and keep my kids drinking, I use these insulated Thermos water bottles from Target. I fill them with ice and water and they stay cold for hours. Plus, my kids love that they come in a wide variety of fun prints and familiar characters.Musbus Insulated Bag
Amazon
$14
Buy on Amazon
I always throw an insulated cooler bag in the car to keep snacks and drinks cold. I like this one because it doesn’t take up too much room when fully packed, it holds a lot, and folds down easily when empty. For school dropoff or pickup, it’s a good way to keep drinks or snacks chilled and ready to grab, and I like to fill it with cooler packs on road trips to bring snacks like string cheese, frozen Gogurts, fresh fruit, and water. It’s also useful for keeping produce cool after grocery runs if I have multiple stops on my to-do list. This bag is even large enough to fit a casserole dish if you’re transporting meals for get-togethers.Cool Carats Car Seat Cooler
Amazon
$40
Buy on Amazon
Since moving to our new home, there has been one product recommended to me by fellow desert mamas every summer: a cooling car seat pad.I never knew it existed before living here and I think it’s a genius idea for anyone experiencing a hot summer. The pad is kind of like an ice pack specially designed to fit over a car seat. Keep it in the freezer when not in use and when you’re going out on a hot day and know you’ll be leaving your car parked for a while in the sun, simply stick this on the car seat when you leave. You’ll return to a perfectly chilled seat, which in turn will help prevent tantrums about touching hot car seat fabric or buckles. Trust me, those are not fun.Young Days Pismo Dress
Young Days
$22
Buy on youngdays.com
Last summer, my older daughter experienced a terrible heat rash after wearing what we learned were irritating fabrics. Ever since then, I’ve become quite vigilant about dressing both her and her baby sister in lightweight, breathable fabrics that won’t aggravate their sensitive skin. My older daughter prefers dresses, which I like as well since it means she’s not confined to tight, heat-trapping clothes. This 100% organic cotton dress from Young Days is one she asks me to wash every day so she can wear it over and over. She loves the twirly skirt and stripes; I love that it feels really well made and high quality, and the fabric keeps her comfortable and cool, even on the hottest days.Pehr Fisherman Sandal
Pehr
$40
Buy on pehr.com
When selecting footwear, my approach is similar to choosing clothes. In summer, that means I prefer waterproof shoes so my daughter can go from playing to pool and back without risking waterlogged shoes or hot, sweaty feet stuck in heavy socks and sneakers. She has these phthalate- and BPA-free plastic sandals from Pehr, and I appreciate that they’re open and breathable yet the toes are still mostly covered so she’s less likely to trip or get pebbles stuck inside. We even use them as water shoes when playing in and around the pool or going on water hikes. Cleaning them is a cinch since the cushioned, removable sole is water repellent.Little Sleepies Zippy
Little Sleepies
$32
Buy on littlesleepies.com
I can’t sing the praises of Little Sleepies enough. The signature bamboo fabric is buttery soft, which is lovely all year but feels especially light and luscious in summer. And they last forever—my 3.5 year old still fits into her Zippy PJs in size 12-18 months, proving there is no better value. The fabric is thin enough to prevent overheating on hot nights and warm enough if the AC is blasting. I’ve bought Little Sleepies in zip style, matching sets, with long and short sleeves, and I find the short-sleeved Shorty Zippy to be especially versatile. My baby wears it during the day as a romper when we’re out and about or at night as pajamas.More Deals to Help You Fight the HeatMy Kids Stay Cool Every Summer With These Water Toys That Are All $30 or LessThe Best Inflatable Water Slides to Transform Backyards Into Water ParksThe Best Baby Sunscreen, Recommended by Parents and DermatologistsThese Are the 12 Safe Water Toys My Kids Will Be Playing With This Summer—and They Start at Just $8 on Amazon For more Parents news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Parents.We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
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