How to Know the Temperature Is Safe to Play Outside

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Children sweat less and get less evaporative cooling than adults, and should always be allowed to exercise at their preferred level. They should never be urged to exercise harder or forced to play strenuous sport in hot conditions.[1]Have you got a good idea of when it's all right to let your kids play outdoors rain, hail or shine? Not sure? No need to worry - just read these steps and see if it's all right today!

Steps

1. Keep children inside under -25ºC/-13ºF. When the temperature falls to -25ºC/-13ºF outside, or the wind chill falls to -28ºC/-18.4ºF, it's indoor time.[2] Exposed skin will freeze in a few minutes at these temperatures and under.[3]
   
2. Keep children inside over 35ºC - 40ºC/95ºF - 100ºF. When it gets hot enough to be letting the kids go home from school, it's hot enough to stop outside play for young children in the heat of the day. Heatstroke, heat exhaustion, burns from hot objects such as metallic playground equipment, sunburn and excessive thirst can be just some of the problems from active outdoor play during temperatures 35ºC/95ºF upwards. Have children stay indoors and wait for the temperatures to cool down in the late afternoon or evening sun before sending them out. Generally it is a good idea to avoid playing in hot weather between 11am - 3pm, especially for sporting activities.[4]
   

Tips

• Have children wear child-safe sunscreen all year round - even in winter.
  
• Dress children appropriately for the activities - long-sleeved and legged items protect from sunburn; the full jacket, snowsuit, mittens, scarf, hat, balaclava and boots for snow play etc.
  
• Many schools have rules on temperatures suitable for outdoor play. Following these rules at home is a good idea also.
  
• Always ensure children are adequately hydrated during both hot and cold weather.
  

Warnings

• Never let children play near streams, river banks, lakes etc. unsupervised. During spring they might be either thawing or roaring with water and a child that falls in and cannot swim can easily drown at all times of year.
  

Things You'll Need

• Temperature gauge or radio/internet access for weather updates
  
• Appropriate clothing
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Tie a Winter Scarf So It Doesn't Fall Apart
  
• How to Make a Snow Angel
  
• How to Be a Better Swimmer
  
• How to Create a Water Playground for Small Children
  
• How to Prevent a Sunburn
  
• How to Treat a Sunburn
  
• How to Understand & Use the Wind Chill Factor
  
• How to Make a Simple Weather Barometer
  

Sources and Citations

1. ↑ Minister for Sport, Take the Heat out of Exercise


2. ↑ This is recommended by the Canadian Paediatric Society.


3. ↑ Safe Kids Canada Seasonal Safety


4. ↑ Sports Medicine Australia, Hot Weather Guidelines

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