Beat the Heat: Fun Ideas to Stay Cool

With record-breaking humid, hot air sticking around, Brookfield Patch is sharing ideas on how to cool off.

If you don't have air conditioning or good fans, find places to be cool, stay hydrated and and watch out for the most vulnerable — children, elderly and pets, officials say.

Here's a link to the National Weather Service forecast for Brookfield. Good news: the high drops from 97 on Friday to 83 on Saturday and 79 on Sunday.

Cool ideas

Brookfield Public Library and other libraries: There is plenty to do in the , such as reading a book, doing computer research or bringing work to do on a table or conference room. Here are the library activities planned this week for adults and children.

The library, 1900 N. Calhoun Road, is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Or take the kids on a round-robin of area public libraries, exploring ones in New Berlin, Menomonee Falls, Waukesha, Elm Grove and Wauwatosa.

Eble Ice Arena: What could be cooler than ice skating? Admission to at 19400 W. Blue Mound Road is $6 for adults and $4.50 for those under age 18 and over age 60. Skates can be rented for $2.50. Public skating hours are limited — from noon to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, the hours are 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Senior Center: Concerned about an elderly relative or neighbor who has no air conditioning? They are welcome to enjoy activities and meals at the city's Senior Center, which is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Here is a schedule of daily events, from sheepshead and bridge to quilting and movies. 

City residents 55 and older are free, but must register annually at the . Non-residents must pay an annual fee of $12. 

Wirth Park: Cool off in the but don't plan on doing excessive laps or dives and be careful not to bake in the sun pool-side. 

The zero -depth 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and the full aquatic center is open from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

Daily admission for City of Brookfield residents is $4 for adults, $3 for children ages 3 to 17 and seniors and free for children ages 2 and younger. Admission rates for non-residents are slightly higher. Admission to just the morning zero-depth pool is less expensive.

Fox Brook Park: Any body of water is sure to be cooler than the air temperature. The beach and 6-acre quarry lake at the county park , 2925 W. Barker Road, offers lots of family-friendly amenities such as a beach house, diving dock, concession stand and pedal boat rentals. 

Beach hours will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends, with lifeguards on duty daily. County park entrance fees are $3 on weekdays and $5 on weekends. 

Or explore these . 

Majestic Cinema: The , 770 N. Springdale Road, offers $2 popcorn and fountain drinks on Tuesdays.

Here are the movies being shown and times (scroll down page). 

Brookfield Square mall and other shopping centers: An easy way to spend time in air-conditioning is to hit the mall or numerous other shopping centers listed by the Brookfield Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Bowling: Hit the lanes at , 12935 W. Blue Mound Road. Hours vary, so call first at 262-786-6280. But there is open bowling every weekday evening, as well as other times during the day. Click here for a printable coupon for $1 off a session. 

Big Backyard, Monkey Joe's and other children's places: There are a plethora of kid-friendly businesses that have air conditioning and icy treats. The Big Backyard in New Berlin offers outdoor playground equipment inside a large building. Monkey Joe's has massive inflatables, and Adventure Rock has indoor rock climbing.

Restaurants and coffee shops: Take an extra long lunch or coffee (but avoid too much caffeine which is not hydrating) at area dining establishments. Again, Brookfield has a ton of places, including these list of coffee shops and restaurants.

Ice cream treats: Go get an ice cream cone at , or . 

Related Topics: Brookfield Beaches, Fox Brook Park, Heat Advisory, Hot weather, Staying Cool, and Wirth Pool

Where else do you go to escape the heat? Please share your ideas. Tell us in the comments.