Keep Kids Cool on a Budget

These spots around town and helpful tips are sure to help your family stay cool this summer.

Spring has sprung and summer is just around the corner. Before you know it, you’ll be getting everyone together for Memorial Day and planning the annual Fourth of July barbecue. But what about those days in between?

As temperatures begin to rise, it’s no question that parents want their kids safe as ever in the summertime. But spending all summer inside playing video games or watching TV all day does not keep children healthy or entertained in the long run.  So, we’ve put together a little guide to help keep your kids cool on a budget.

These locations and specials were proven accurate at time of print. Please call or go online for a complete list before venturing out.

Community pools, water playgrounds and splash pads

courtesy of Tulsa Kids

Community pools

1) LaFortune Park Pool (Adults $4, Children $2): 5202 S. Hudson Ave., Tulsa

Hours: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 1-6:30 p.m. Saturday: noon-6:30 p.m. Closed Wednesday

2) South County Pool: 13800 S. Peoria Ave., Bixby 

Hours: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday: 12:30 pm.-6 p.m., closed Wednesday 

*Pool opens first Saturday in June, closes second Saturday in August 

3) Chandler Park Pool (Adults $4, Children $2): 6500 West 21st St., Tulsa

Hours: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday: 1-6 p.m. *Closed Wednesday 

Water Playgrounds

*  Water playgrounds will be open Saturday, May 28, 2016

• Chamberlain, 4949 N. Frankfort
• Helmerich, 7301 S. Riverside
• Hunter, 5804 E. 91^st St.
• Kendall-Whittier, 2645 E. 5^th St.
• Manion, 3003 E. 56^th St.
• Maxwell, 5251 E. Newton St.

Splash Pads

Splash pads are similar to water playgrounds, but do not have the ‘playground element’ that water playgrounds have. Most splash pads are located in neighborhood parks with no restroom or parking facilities. *Splash pads will be open Saturday, May 28, 2016. 

• Archer, 2831 E. Archer St.
• Benedict, 1630 E. 12^th St.
• Braden, 5036 E. 7^th St.
• Carbondale, 2802 W. 48^th St.
• Crutchfield, 1345 E. Independence Ave.
• Dawson, 2035 N. Kingston
• Florence, 1936 S. Gary Ave.
• Highland, 4909 E. 36^th St.
• Johnson, 6002 S. Riverside Dr.

Movie Discounts

If trips to the cinema are more your style, Warren Theatres and Cinemark both offer discounts different days of the week.

Warren Wednesdays

Every Wednesday, the Broken Arrow Warren Theatre offers $5.00 for all lower level tickets. The ticket will apply to all shows in the lower level of both Grand Infinity's, plus every Screening Room℠ and all VIP Stadium Auditoriums. Not valid on holidays, excludes special events and does not apply to Balcony and Director's Suite®. Cannot be combined with any other discounts.

Broken Arrow Warren

1700 W. Aspen Creek Drive

Broken Arrow, OK 74011

(918) 893-9798

Cinemark $5 Tuesdays

Every Tuesday, participating Cinemark theatres offers all tickets discounted at $5.00 for all films, all day. Discount Day offer not valid for new movies on opening day. Offer not valid for specially priced engagements. Offer not valid on holidays. One film/showtime per ticket purchased at Discount Day price, plus applicable sales taxes. Check your local Cinemark theatre for pricing and participation. Excludes Cinemark XD, Xtreme, Cinemark IMAX and Special Engagements. RealD 3D showtimes - Discount Ticket Price Plus Premium.

Participating theatres:

Cinemark Tulsa and IMAX – Tulsa

10802 E 71^st St. South, Tulsa OK 74133
(918) 307-2629

Cinemark Cinema 8 – Sand Springs

1112 E. Charles Page Blvd, Sand Springs OK 74063

(918) 245-3423

Cinemark Broken Arrow – Broken Arrow

1801 E. Hillside Drive, Broken Arrow OK 74012

(918) 355-0427

Summer Safety Tips Courtesy of State Farm

Don’t forget the sunscreen! Here are some safety tips to remember when out and about with the family.

Sunscreen

Though it may seem minor, sunscreen is necessary to avoid painful sunburns and lasting skin damage, which can eventually lead to skin cancer. Fifteen minutes is all it takes for the sun to begin damaging your skin. Apply sunscreen 15-20 minutes before sun exposure and two hours after every application, swimming or sweating. Be sure to toss your sunscreen if it’s more than three years old, the expiration date has passed, the color or consistency has changed or the container has been exposed to high temperatures.

Other safety tips

• Stay cool at home by checking the air conditioning. Make sure it is properly working and insulated. Also use fans strategically. Ceiling fans should run counter-clockwise to force room air down and make you feel cooler.
• Drink plenty of water and other fluids and try to avoid alcohol, caffeine and carbonated drinks that can lead to dehydration. Adults should drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day and may need more on hot and humid days. Eat meals that are well-balanced and light. Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat and can add to water loss.

• Beware of heat-related illness by knowing the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Avoid working out during the hottest part of the day. Check the weather forecast; if there's a heat advisory you may want to move your workout indoors.

• Never leave a person or a pet in a parked car. They can succumb to heat exposure very quickly. Also be careful when entering a car in hot weather. Temperatures inside can reach 140°F to 190°F within 30 minutes on a hot, sunny day.
• Stay in cool areas. The best place to be is inside with air conditioning. If you don't have air conditioning at home, many public places, such as libraries, shopping malls and movie theatres are air-conditioned.

Don't be afraid to get out and enjoy the summer sunshine with your friends and family. Just be sure to be prepared, use common sense, and know when it's time to take a rest.