Each week our Mom's Council discusses a different parenting issue. Join the conversation by weighing in on a topic or ask our panel of experts your question.

This week's question comes from local reader, Sheila Bouley:

Assuming that the pool is not an option, what are your suggestions on how to spend a hot, hazy, humid summer day with the kids?

Lani Mark:  I love taking the little guy to the free mall play areas (Montgomery and Lakeforest Mall) and to the Backyard Inflatables stores in Montgomery and Lakeforest Mall.  If we have more time, I will take my son to the Playseum in Bethesda or Great Kids Village in Columbia. 

If staying in for the day, I enjoy keeping extra arts and crafts supplies around and a fun board game or movie.  Of course, I am also a huge believer in letting him have some time to play pretend with his toys or have a friend come over to play.  And, of course I need to add a shameless plug that parents can always check out http://rockville.macaronikid.com to find out about everything going on in the area for kids and families, as well as crafts, recipes and more.

Sharina Hunt:  On these really hot days we have plans to go see a movie in the theatre, have lots of indoor play dates with my kids friends and take in a museum or two. My kids enjoy wandering thru the pet store looking at the animals there and then we buy a new craft at Michaels to do for an afternoon project. I also let my kids have a movie afternoon at home. They are very active with swimming every morning so I don't mind if they do want to watch a movie in the afternoon if it is too hot to play outside.  

Michele Zaiderman: Great question! We are always looking for fun new ideas! I have younger children 7 and 4. Aside from the obvious museums in DC, there are several good indoor options some free and some not… The shopping malls both have free indoor play places which are good for the younger set. Now that Bounce U and Pump it Up are local, they have open jump times for a fee and both kids like these places—and so do I since they are tired after jumping for 2 hours! The movies are always a good option too.

For outside fun, the younger set LOVES the Germantown Splash Park, there is mini golf there too. Sometimes just taking the Metro is a fun excursion for kids. Go a few stops to Bethesda and walk around and get some ice cream. My kids also both love to go to the Montgomery County Air Park. You can have lunch on the patio and watch the small planes take off and land right in front of  you.

If you have a whole day, you could drive up to Thurmont and go to Cunnigham Falls. You can take a short hike to the falls or just spend the day on the sandy shore of the lake—there is a fee to get in but well worth it for a day at ”the beach”.

I can’t wait to hear what others suggest!

Heather Kerr: When the weather is hot and humid and we can't go to the pool, we tend to stay near the house or indoors. My kids (3,6, & 9) don't last long in the hot sun so it is not worth putting much time or money into an activity. The sprinkler, washing the car or craft projects at the house seem to get us through those extra muggy days. We would much prefer to ride our bikes, take walks, and do other outdoor activities when the temperature is comfortable!

Maria Martin: My kids are grown, but I have a friend who likes to turn on the sprinkler and then she and the kids watch from the window as the birds play in the water-- it is an entertaining show.