5 Easy Ways to Make Your New Hot Tub Family Friendly

JHT 5 Easy Ways to Make Your Hot Tub Family friendly

 

During your first 100 days as Jacuzzi® brand hot tub owner, you’ll quickly discover why it’s the ultimate gathering place for the entire family. It helps to think of your hot tub as a living room with jets, where every family member can gather together after a long day apart to chat, relax and enjoy each other’s company. As a new owner, you may be wondering how to maximize family time in the hot tub. To get the ball rolling, here are five simple ways to make your hot tub as family-friendly as possible.

INTRODUCE GAME NIGHT

Whether your family holds game night on a regular basis or you’ve tried it before without much success, moving game night to your hot tub both puts a unique spin on a classic family activity and provides yet another reason to suit up. Adding water to game night is relatively easy and requires only a few adjustments. Look for waterproof versions of playing cards, checkers and floating board games. Games like charades don’t involve any special equipment, but keep in mind it’s not as easy to move around when sitting in your hot tub.

KEEP THEM FED WITHOUT THE MESS
You already know the way to your family’s heart is often through their stomachs, but certain foods are better suited than others for munching on in the hot tub. Snacks like popcorn and chips aren’t the best foods for hot tubs, as they’re easily dropped into the water. Pick foods that keep little (and big) hands clean to keep the water clear and avoid soggy crumbs. Cheese and veggie trays are safe bets, as are popsicles and other foods that come on sticks.

HAVE EXTRA BATHING SUITS ON HAND

As kids get older, they sometimes become more reluctant to join in on family time. That’s where your hot tub comes in. Don’t let their budding social life get in the way of family time by extending an invite to take a dip to their schoolmates, boyfriends and girlfriends. Keeping extra bathing suits and towels on hand will ensure that any last-minute guests can comfortably join in on the fun.

FIND A CROWD-PLEASING TEMPERATURE
The best way to ensure your family enjoys their time in the hot tub is to make sure everyone’s comfortable. Keep in mind that the temperature you prefer may not be ideal for everyone else. While the majority of hot tub users enjoy a water temperature in the range of 100°F – 102°F, some prefer turning it up to the maximum of 104°F. As a new owner, it’s important to experiment with the temperature while everyone’s present. Once you find a temperature that everyone agrees on, try to stick to it, as continuously raising and lowering the heat can bump up operational costs and add wear. It’s also important to keep in mind that children under 5 should not be in hot tubs over 95°F, and should only remain in hot tubs for 5-10 minutes at a time, regardless of temperature.

MAKE IT SAFE


Most important, make sure that safety is always top of mind when your family uses the hot tub. We recommend keeping a first aid kit nearby at all times. For younger children especially, keeping the area around your hot tub secure is a must, so you may want to consider installing slip-resistant mats. Make sure younger children know not to go near the hot tub without an adult present. Likewise, talk to teenagers about appropriate hot tub behavior. It should be made clear that the water temperature should not exceed 104° F and that plastic cups are a good rule of thumb when bringing a drink in the hot tub.