Sun, Sand and Splash Spell Summer Fun in Illinois!

Nothing says "summer" like ­spending time by the water. S­ur­e­, you cou­ld just flop on a towel and leave it at that…but why not make the most of your day in the Illinois sun?

FUN, FUN, FUN….
Collecting shells, kite flying and building sandcastles are tried-and-true pastimes. Here are some other fun water options.  NOTE: ALWAYS REMEMBER TO OBEY ANY SAFETY RULES OF YOUR BEACH, LAKE OR POOL.

Squirtball:  Split up into two teams and give everyone a large watergun.  Draw goal lines in the sand behind each team and put a beach ball in the center.  Each team tries to squirt the ball over the other team’s goal line, without using hands or feet!

Wave Races:  Line up in the ocean with floats; catch a wave – first one to hit the beach wins!

Pair Up Pool Game: Get players to partner up. Players try and swim in pairs with one half doing the arm movements while the other half holds onto their partner and does the leg movement. Best tried in the shallow end.

FOOD SAFETY:  When it comes to a picnic, make sure you’re not serving up a future tummy ache. Take along only the amount of food that can be eaten to avoid having leftovers. A full cooler will maintain its cold temperature longer than one that’s partially filled. If you’re dining beach or lakeside, bury the cooler in the sand partway once you arrive, and with blankets and shade it with a umbrella.  And remember to open it as little as possible.

BASIC WATER SAFETY:  Yeah, yeah, we all know the rules about wearing sunscreen (put it on before you leave the house; reapply frequently and stick to the shade between 10 am and 2 pm when the sun’s rays are strongest).  But don’t forget these tips, whether you’re bodysurfing at the beach or just splashing in the shallow end of the local lake or pool:

* Never swim alone. Always swim near a manned lifeguard station.
* At the beach or lake, steer clear from piers, pilings, and rocks. Inexperienced swimmers should stick to waist deep water.
* Never dive into shallow breaking waves or the shallow end of a pool.
* At the ocean, beware of rip currents. If you get caught in one, don't panic. Just swim parallel to the shore until you're clear, then swim into shore. Never try to swim against the current.

Want to go swimming in Illinois? Our complete list of Illinois beaches, lakes, ponds and pools will help you find a spot in your local area.