Although summer is coming to a close for many families in certain parts of the world, others are just starting to experience the heat that comes along with the winter months in the opposite hemisphere. But whether you have new warm weather coming or are having to wait until next year, it’s always a good idea to know how to best beat the heat that your family finds itself in. While you as the parent might know exactly how to keep yourself cool when you’re feeling overheated, many children don’t have this skill yet and rely on you to help them out. So to better do this, here are three ways you can keep your kids cool when playing outside in the heat.
Play At The Right Times Of Day
According to Erin Mantz, a contributor to Care.com, the hottest part of the day is usually between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. This is when the rays of the sun are the most direct and can cause the most damage to your skin. Knowing this, you should try to plan to be out of the sun during these hours. If at all possible, try to be outside playing with your kids either earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon. By doing this, you’ll be able to avoid having to be out in too much of the heat but still get some fresh air and enjoy the nicer weather.
Get Them In The Water
One of the best ways to stay cool, regardless of how hot it might be outside, is to get in the water. For most kids, this isn’t a particularly hard sell. Kids generally love being in the water and keeping cool in this way. According to Gretchen Bossio, a contributor to WhatToExpect.com, you can take your kids to splash pads, pools, sprinklers, or natural bodies of water. While they won’t necessarily feel the heat as much when they’re playing in the water, it’s still important that you keep their skin protected with sunscreen and try to keep them out of the direct sun for too long of a period of time.
Keep Everyone Hydrated
When it’s hot out, it’s so much easier for your bodies to get dehydrated. When that happens, you’ll find yourself with so grumpy and sick kids on your hands. So to ensure everyone’s bodies are functioning properly, Nancy Mattia, a contributor to Parents.com, advises that you make the extra effort to keep everyone hydrated. This means pushing water and electrolytes of your kids to counterbalance what’s been drained from their bodies by being out in the sun.
To keep your kids healthy and happy in the heat, consider using the tips mentioned above to help them stay cool.
