Tips to Keep Kids Cool in the Heat

The hot weather of the summer months is something many of us look forward to. We can hit the beach, picnic in the park, and play outside with the kids for hours. All that time outdoors is tons of fun, but we must protect our little ones from the rising temperature. Here are some useful tips to keep your kids cool and safe when the summer heat is too hot to handle.
Stay Hydrated

Hydration is so important, especially when kids are outside in the heat and sweating more than usual. Water is the best way to keep kids (and adults) well-hydrated, but some kids won’t drink enough plain water to keep their hydration levels at peak. Other ways to hydrate include sports drinks, ice pops, flavored seltzer water, unsweetened iced tea, and other not-to-sugary drinks. Fresh fruit and veggies provide hydration as well. Just don’t wait until your child is thirsty; that means dehydration has already set in. Provide drinks regularly so your child stays hydrated in the heat. This will ensure their temperature stays in check as well.

Seek Shade

While basking and playing in the sun is one of the great joys of summer, too much sun is not only damaging to the skin, but can also cause overheating. Make sure the kids take breaks to cool off in shady areas every 15-25 minutes or so. Try to find areas of the park where you can settle in for some shade. Be sure to bring umbrellas to the beach to make your own shaded area. If there are no shady areas to be found, take a few minutes from time to time to head indoors to cool down and get the kids’ body temperature back to normal. They probably need a short break anyhow!

Wear Hats

Wide brimmed hats and visors provide good protection from the sun. They will also shield the face from the direct rays of the sun which can cause a nasty sunburn. Find hats the kids like, such as baseball caps, so you know they’ll keep them on. Hats will also keep the kids’ hair off their face keeping them a bit cooler. Be sure to wash these hats regularly. They will surely get dirty and sweaty from the kids playing in the heat.

Take a Dip

What better way to cool off in the summer than to go for a swim in the pool or ocean? After a day of play, the cool water will feel so refreshing and cool down the kids who are probably overheated. Water is so relaxing and cooling and kids love to play in the water too. Even though the kids are submerged, they can still get sunburned, so be sure to apply a water-proof sunscreen before taking a dip. Once the kids had time to cool off, they can go back to playing in the sun again.

Please keep your kids safe from becoming overheated. What do you do to keep your kids cool? For more info like this, please visit All My Children.

By: Melissa A. Kay