Summer Fun Activities that Won't Waste Water
Summer is a time for enjoying the sun, spending time with the kids and finding ways to escape the heat. The higher the mercury rises, the more tempted we might be to splash ourselves down with the spray of a hose or a dip in the pool.
Water usage goes up during the summer months partly for this reason. The average family uses about 320 gallons of water per day most of the year. That number can spike to 1,000 gallons per day during summer, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Some families use up to 3,000 gallons per day during the warmer months, which is the equivalent of running a garden hose for eight hours straight.
It can put a strain on your area's resources, not to mention your water bill. Thankfully there are a number of ways your family can enjoy the heat and stay cool without putting too much pressure on your water usage.
Here are several ways to have fun during the summer that don't waste water.
Two in One: Water Your Lawn and Cool Off
Much of extra water we use during the summer is for landscaping purposes. Keeping the grass green and watching gardens grow requires regular watering. Why not hit two birds with one stone and cool off while watering your lawn and plants?
Setting up an automatic sprinkler can simultaneously distribute water across your property while giving your family something to play with. If you don't have a sprinkler, use a hose and have your children take turns jumping through the stream. All everybody needs is a bathing suit to participate.
Water Bombs
Save even more water while having fun by getting family members to launch water bombs at one another. A water bomb is a
saturated sponge or balloon that you can throw at a spouse or sibling. The water in the sponge splashes on impact.
It's a competitive yet harmless game your family can play that won't use up too much water. Depending on how hot it is, you might secretly want to get hit again and again.
Teach Your Kids to Garden
It's never too early to teach your kids how to take care of their home and surroundings. Gardening is an activity that teaches life skills while also offering lessons in water conservation. The trick here is to plant flora that can be found locally.
If certain flowers are known to grow in the wild in your area, it means they're used to the weather conditions and therefore don't need to be watered often. Along the way, your kids will learn the value of maintaining the environment and patiently waiting for the fruits of their labor to fully bloom.
Head to the Local Pool
One way to save water at home is to simply not use any. Take a trip to the local pool to cool off during a hot day. Make use of a public resource instead of wasting your own water. These facilities are safe and secure with well-trained lifeguards on hand to help with any problems. You and your spouse get to relax while the kids play with other children. Public pools are meant for your use, so you might as well enjoy them.