Play it safe outside and beat the heat!

We are full swing into spring, but where I live in Queensland, it feels like summer already!

This means my daughter (AKA the human heat bead) will FINALLY be dressed appropriately for the next six months – and I will stop getting tut-tutted whenever I take her anywhere (she refuses to wear a jumper or anything remotely warm, even when everyone else is wearing five layers of clothing and clutching hot water bottles).

It also means we parents need to keep a few things in mind as our littlies play outside. Children’s bodies don’t cool down as quickly as adults. They sweat less, which puts them at risk of overheating. And who wants to stop practising somersaults on the trampoline to do something totally boring like drink water?

Here are a few tips to ensure your kids play it safe outdoors this spring and summer.

1. Play early in the day (or late afternoon)

Avoid the hottest parts of the day (10am-3pm) by letting your kids play outside early in the morning or late in the afternoon/early evening. Stick to shady spots or the cubby house.

2. Splash about

Water play is the best kind of play when it’s hot outside. We do have to be mindful of the amount of water we use, so you might not want to let your kids go completely crazy with the garden hose. But even a bucket of water with some different sized cups and toys will give them plenty of fun. My daughter loves to “paint the fence” with water and a paintbrush.

3. Cool snacks and drinks

One of the most delicious treats to eat when it’s hot are frozen grapes. Most fruits freeze well – e.g. diced banana, mango, raspberries. They are healthy and will help cool the kids down. Ensure your kids have a water bottle with them to replenish their fluids and avoid dehydration.

4. Slip, slop, slap

This was drilled into us when I was a kid – slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen and slap on a hat. Loose-fitting, lightweight clothes are the best when it’s warm outside. Sunscreen should be SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum and water-resistant. Hats should be broad-brimmed to shade the face, neck and ears.

5. Take regular breaks to cool down

It’s hard to stop to rest when winning a game of chasey is at stake, but our kids need to take regular breaks so they can cool down, have a drink and reset.

Hot weather doesn’t mean the kids have to stay indoors in the air-con all day. They can still have plenty of fun outside by playing it safe.

Written by Lauren from Full Stop Publishing.

by Gail Carroll
Categories: Cubby Houses, My Cubby, Outdoor Fun