The summer season is slowly approaching, with the end of the school year nearly in sight. With the prospect of bored kids and the summer heat coming soon, not to mention not having access to an unlimited budget, thinking of ways to enjoy the season can be challenging. But it’s not impossible! There are a lot of cool ways (pun intended!) to enjoy the summer season based on how much you’re willing to shell out, and we’ve listed them here.
One of the most budget-friendly options is to just stay at home, but staying at home doesn’t have to be boring. Beat the heat by experimenting with making cold treats. Try whipping up some Filipino summer staples, such as halu-halo, mais con yelo, or ice candy. Or why not indulge the kids in making some homemade ice cream? By shelling out a few pesos for ingredients, you can already have a creative fun time with your family at home. The best thing is if you don’t have to buy anything new and just work with the ingredients that you have already at home.
If DIY is not for you though and you’d rather have the cold treats done and delivered to your doorstep, then just whip out your phone and order your favorites through a food delivery app. It’s bound to cost more, but at least there’s zero cost for effort.
Swimming is a summer staple, but what if you don’t have easy access to the beach or a swimming pool? Luckily, inflatable pools could work just as good and are readily available everywhere. Even with limited space at home, you can set up a corner for a small pool party where your kids can just play with water and cool off.
If you have more budget to spare, another option is to rent the services of an inflatable pool provider to upgrade the experience. It’s like bringing your own Inflatable Island at home! Rentals can range from anywhere between ₱700 up to ₱3000. Just check out Instagram or Facebook to scope your options. If you’re looking for a long-term option, you can also just choose to buy the inflatable pool as the prices don’t differ much from renting, so that you can control how often you have your pool parties!
Let’s face it: sometimes the best way to beat the heat is to go to a climate-controlled environment. In the Philippines, malls are the usual go-to air-conditioned options. If you’re on a budget or don’t want to spend, just take your time window-shopping or sit around and just buy snacks, which could just cost you a few hundred pesos. The beauty of hanging out in a mall is that you have access to a number of different entertainment and dining options.
If you want to switch it up, visit a museum or two instead. By visiting an art or science space, you’ll be able to keep cool and at the same time create wonderful memories with your loved ones.
Immerse your kids in world-class works of art at the National Museum, learn about Philippine fauna and flora at the National Museum of Natural History, or spend a worthwhile afternoon playing in an interactive art space like Art in Island or the Dessert Museum. There are plenty of other great options within the metro, with entrance fees ranging from free up to below ₱1000 per person, so there’s no need to break the bank.
One of the best ways to beat the heat is just to relax in an AirBnb or a hotel. What’s great about going for a staycation is the different amenities you can enjoy, like access to a pool, karaoke, playground, gym, and of course, unlimited air-conditioning. With the number of amazing staycation places within and outside of the city, you can cater to you and your family’s wants and most importantly, stick to an acceptable budget that works for everyone.
Of course, nothing surpasses traveling to really beat the heat. As Filipinos, we’re so used to the idea of spending the sunniest days by the sea. Or if the beach isn’t really your cup of tea and you’re on the lookout to splurge for you and your family, go ahead and book a trip to somewhere cooler. It could be the perfect time to explore a new city and go out for food trips while not being drenched in sweat. Whichever place you choose, just make sure to enjoy and make lasting memories with your family.