As schools across England shut their doors as temperatures rise, we take a look at how to keep the kids entertained while navigating the extreme temperatures14:46, 23 Jun 2026Updated 14:47, 23 Jun 2026For many parents, a heatwave doesn't just mean sleepless nights and endless ice lollies - it brings sudden chaos of unexpected school and nursery closures.‌With temperatures soaring and classrooms hitting unbearable limits, families are suddenly forced to juggle childcare, work and restless youngsters all at once.‌Laura Chamberlain, a Professor at the University of Warwick and mum to two children aged two and six, knows exactly how challenging these high-stakes days can be.‌As the UK braces for an intense week - with the Met Office issuing rare Red "Danger to Life" weather warnings and temperatures set to surge past 35°C - dozens of schools have already shut their gates.To help parents survive the shutdown, Professor Chamberlain has shared her practical, real-world strategies for keeping the peace when the thermostat rises.‌Make water your best friendWhile the hottest hours of the day are best spent safely indoors, water-based play is a lifesaver during the cooler mornings and evening hours."Paddling pools, buckets, plastic kitchen bowls – it genuinely doesn't matter what – water will occupy children for ages," she explains.If going outside into the direct sun isn't an option, don't overlook the indoors. A cool (but not freezing) bath filled with toys can provide both entertainment and relief from the heat as it safely lowers their body temperature.‌Create an indoor refugeInstead of attempting energetic activities while temperatures peak, try turning the coolest room in the house into a makeshift sanctuary."I try to plan the day around the heat rather than against it," Professor Chamberlain says.‌Drawing the curtains early to block out the midday sun, lay cushions on the floor, and build a simple den using chairs and sheets. This blocks out the light, keeps the area noticeably cooler, and transforms a stifling afternoon into a novel indoor adventure.Structure beats chaosOne of the biggest hurdles parents face during unexpected school closures is the feeling that the day stretches endlessly ahead.‌Children thrive on routine, which is why Professor Chamberlain believes a little structure can go a long way."I make a plan rather than improvising into the long hot hours," she says.One trick that has worked repeatedly in her household is writing low-energy activities on scraps of paper and placing them in a jar. When boredom strikes, let them take turns drawing a slip to decide what happens next.‌"The picking is half the fun and it takes the decision off you," she says.This can also drastically cut down on the constant chorus of "What can we do now?" that many parents know all too well.‌Screen-free activitiesKeeping children entertained without relying on tablets or TVs can feel impossible when it's too hot to run around outside. However, audio entertainment is an excellent alternative.Podcasts and audiobooks have become firm favourites in the Chamberlain household. Shows like Football for Kids and Digger Rex work brilliantly for younger children, while older children often get absorbed by story-based podcasts that inspire them to create stories of their own.For a physical project, try simple craft activities. Making and decorating paper fans gives children a focused task with a built-in reward: a tool to help them and their family cool down.‌Expect shorter tempers (and hand over control)Parents aren't the only ones who get irritable in extreme heat. Children quickly become emotional, lethargic and prone to meltdowns when they are uncomfortable."I try to have one focus at a time," says Professor Chamberlain. "Play, or eat, or drink, but not all three at once."‌Juggling too many demands when children are already hot and tired is a fast track to a tantrum.If tensions are running high, she recommends occasionally handing over control to help reduce power struggles and leave them feeling more settled for the rest of the day."A trick that helps is random ten-minute intervals where the children make the rules," she says.Article continues belowWhen work still has to happenFor the vast majority of working parents, school or nursery closures don't come with the luxury of a day off."It's really hard when children are at home and parents still have to work," Professor Chamberlain acknowledges.If possible, she suggests shifting work tasks to the evening when temperatures are cooler and children are asleep, though she recognises this isn't an option for everyone.