WILD CHILD: Having fun outside when it is HOT!
WILD CHILD Outdoor Playgroup families splashing in the pond at Westminster Ponds on a hot day.
This week will be hot. But you can still get outside and have fun with your child safely. Here are some top tips our WILD CHILD program uses to keep having fun and stay healthy in the extreme heat.
Drinking water helps replace fluids lost by sweating.
Water:
Water is essential for hot weather play. Everyone should be drinking throughout the morning and afternoon. For school aged children the recommendation is 1L in the morning and 1L in the afternoon (more if they are active) for smaller children the amount varies. Hot weather makes us sweat, and you need to replace those fluids. If your child struggles to drink try encouraging juicy foods like watermelon and fruits or try frozen water popsicles (simply freeze water in popsicle molds) or frozen fruit/vegetables.
To keep water cool try adding ice and cold water to insulated travel mugs that would normally hold tea or coffee. To keep frozen fruit cold put it in a thermos.
Water play can also keep us cooler. You can seek out a splash pad, a local creek or pond, or simply fill a bowl with water and splash outside your home. Get wet, have fun, and stay cooler.
Shade:
Look for shady places to play. The temperature is very different in the sun vs the shade, so take breaks often under a tree or other source of shade. One option is to play in the shade of a forest, the trees help to keep the temperature cooler while letting the breeze blow through the space.
Wear a hat to shade your head when you are in the sun. Keeping the sun off your head will help you to stay comfortable for far longer, so don’t forget a hat you each person.
Play in the shade.
Wear a hat to shade your head.
Sun protection:
Choose to wear sunscreen or sun protective clothing (light weight long sleeves and pants) to prevent sunburns. The sun can start to cause damage in as little as 15-30 minutes so be sure to protect yourself and your children, it will mean everyone enjoys their time outside for longer.
Take breaks:
If anyone starts to get too warm, take a cooling break. If possible find an indoor space with air-conditioning or shade and be sure to drink lots of cool liquids.
Take breaks in a cool space.
Look for warning signs of overheating.
Notice warning signs of distress:
These are some common signs that a child is too hot (there are others). You know the children in your care, if they see to be behaving differently than normal move them to a cooler location and help them cool down. Stay in the cool area until they fully recover.
Flushed cheeks and excessive sweating
Whining/Irritable and unwilling to be distracted
Stomach pain/Nausea
Headache
Muscle cramps
Don’t miss out of the fun and fresh air this week. Our WILD CHILD program will meet Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10am-12pm. Join us to splash and play!
Wednesday: 944 Western Counties Rd 10am-12pm
Thursday: 944 Western Counties Rd 10am-12pm
Saturday: 1600 Attawandaron Rd 10am-12pm.
Written by Tandy Morton, WILD CHILD Outdoor Playgroup Facilitator