It’s the dog days of summer, and everyone is hot and searching for ways to keep cool. Here’s a few of our ideas on how to stay cool in the Champaign-Urbana area without spending a bundle.
1. Hessel Park “splash” park
From 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and 5:00-7:00 p.m. every day during the summer (between Memorial Day and Labor Day) kids can run and play through water at Hessel Park in Champaign — fun structures like a whale’s ribcage, seals and a waterfall tower make it especially cool on the hottest days. Our advice: bring some kind of flip-flop or water shoe. Free.
2. Head over to a library near you
Our event calendar is full of fun happenings at local libraries during all hours of the day and night. We were at the Champaign Public Library on Tuesday evening and enjoyed a fun family story hour. The A/C was delightful!
3. Pool party
Earlier this summer we made a list of local pools and how much they cost per admission. Some of the least expensive are Spalding Pool in Champaign, Tuscola, and the Farmer City pools; each are $3 to enter for adults. Don’t forget about the special weekday morning kiddie pool hours at Sholem Aquatic Center for kids 5 and under; entry fee is $3 resident/$4.50 non-resident; kids age 3 & under are FREE with paying adult. If you want to go jump in a lake, try Clinton Lake – it has a $1 fee per person — or the swimming area at Middle Fork River Forest Preserve in Penfield, part of the Champaign County Forest Preserve system.
4. Cheap movies
It’s been a tried and true method for decades: head to a cool, dark movie theater in the dead of summer to escape the heat. We have many options locally to do just that, and for a nice price. Savoy 16 has $1 movies daily during weekday mornings through 8/12; the Beverly plays a $1 movie on Thursday mornings (through 8/25). Also worth checking out: the matinee shows daily at the Staerkel Planetarium through August 4, although it is a bit more pricey.
5. Cool Treats!
Anyone who has been reading chambanamoms.com for any length of time knows that we are fans of anything ice cream-related. We have plenty of great options, from the Sidney Dairy Barn to Cocomero to Jarling’s Custard Cup. A less-expensive route — head to the freezer case at the grocery store.
What are your favorite ways to stay cool without busting your budget?