Family friendly activities to keep you cool as heatwave approaches

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

High temperatures are set to hit the country this weekend as a heatwave fuelled by dry air from the African continent will blow north across areas of the UK.

Many places are expected to reach highs of 27C, following a spell of thunderstorms and showers for many during the course of the week. The weekend is set to turn dry again though, with temperatures being heloed by the heatwave blowing in from Africa.

As it's likely to feel like summer for many, we've have come up with fun activities to keep your family cool.

There's nothing quite like a water fight - there's something exhilarating about it, especially for the kids. There's a huge range of water pistols available, like the Nerf Super Soaker Retro XP50-AP Water Blaster, £18 from Argos, or step up your water fight game with the Water Slide Wipeout from Bunch O Balloons, selling for £10.

But if you're on a budget, a bucket of water balloons for each team or Bunch O Balloons (currently on clearance for £4 on Argos.co.uk), a hose, or any other kind of vessel will be just as fun! Just make sure you've got the towels ready for when everyone's tired out.

One speedy way to cool down is to take a dip. Grab the buckets and spades and sun cream and head to a beach or wild swimming location. The Outdoor Swimming Society has a huge list of locations and wild swimming clubs in the UK so you can easily find your nearest idyllic spot.

The site also has a information on keeping safe in the water plus a dedicated page about swimming with toddlers, so you can feel confident about taking your children into the water and what to do in an emergency.

Cool down with a homemade ice lolly: this easy but fun activity is great fun for kids and you probably have most of the ingredients in