Safe Play in Sunshine

The season of sunshine is here, and you and the family are longing for fun days out in the sun.

But how do you keep children safe when playing in the sun? In this article, we will give you a few tips on how to keep your little ones cool (as much as possible) when it is hot and sunny.

Tip One: Keep them hydrated!

One of the most important things when your children are active in the sun is to keep hydrated.

When little ones (or even not so little ones) are busy playing outside, they will quickly forget to drink, and the human body does not necessarily remind you to drink regularly. This could have a dramatic effect as dehydration can be severe and generate serious health concerns. Therefore, it is crucial to offer a drink frequently to your child, especially in the sun.

Children can experience heat exhaustion; this is when their bodies can’t cool themselves fast enough. A child with heat exhaustion might feel overheated, tired, and weak. Heat exhaustion can come on suddenly so make sure your little ones’ drink a lot and stay as cool as possible.

The best drink you can offer your little one is water as it is the best drink to rehydrate the body. It is also best to avoid sugary or fizzy drinks such as sodas or juices.

Tip Two: Cover their head.

Heat and sunshine are always very enjoyable, up to a certain point.

Indeed, staying in direct sun without any protection on yours or your little one’s head can lead to not so enjoyable results. Therefore, always make sure to have a hat, cap, beret, pirate hat or any other UV-proof protection to put on your little one’s head.

Staying in the sun without appropriate protection can lead to heatstroke, which can be unpleasant and lead to medical attention being needed. So, it is best to keep your children’s heads protected from those nasty UVs.

Tip Three: Apply sunscreen.

Babies and children’s have overly sensitive skin. Being exposed to direct sunlight without protection is dangerous for your skin and your health, and the same goes especially for your little ones.

Consequently, applying suncream on your child is an absolute must to keep them safe in the sunshine. It is also important to use the correct UV index. For babies and children, it must be no less than index 50 to keep their sensitive skin protected.

Sun protection comes in a variation of forms and shapes to make it easy to apply cream, spray, roll ons and most of them are also waterproof which is great if you are at the pool or the beach. It is recommended to reapply sunscreen every 1 to 2 hours to keep the skin hydrated and protected from high UV light.

Tip Four: Wear light clothing.

If it is warm outside, the last thing you want to do is make your little one wear too many layers and take the risk of them overheating.

Make sure your child wears light clothing such as shorts, tank tops or vests or a light dress. We recommend materials such as cotton and linen for the summer heat as these are known to be breathable materials that can keep your child cool.

Tip Five: Stay in the shade.

Battling the heat can be a challenging task at times. Babies and toddlers can be particularly affected by extreme heat, and you will not necessarily realise your little one is overheating.

To prevent this from happening, prioritise playing in the shade, under a parasol or tent or even better, under a tree where the air can be slightly cooler. Staying in the shade will also protect you and your little ones from the UV light and therefore from any potential sunburn.

Tip Six: Keep the air flowing.

Take a hand fan or a battery-operated fan with you to have some extra air flow and keep your little one as cool as possible. These can fit in your handbag and are easy to carry around. Always very handy to have when out and the heat becomes too much for your little one.

Tip Seven: Splish splash!

If your children want to play outside but the heat is quite extreme, what is better than some water play!

Get the padding pool out and the swimming gear ready, and watch as your little one stays entertained and cool at the same time!

There is a large choice of outdoor water toys such as water slides and water tables to keep the fun in the sun going whilst staying as cool as possible.

Water play will allow your little one to enjoy splashing in the sunshine whilst keeping their body cool. But do not forget their hat and sunscreen, as these should never be avoided, even if your baby is in the water.

Tip Eight: Avoid certain times.

Our final recommendation involves timings, ensure to avoid certain times when wanting to allow your little one to play in the sun. According to the NHS (National Health Service), sun rays are strongest between 11am and 3pm, therefore, we recommend playing in the shade between these hours or making sure to keep an eye on your child, so they are hydrated and fully protected.

Summary

The good news is that fun in the sun is possible when taking the necessary precautions to avoid any issues. Make sure your little one is fully geared up with a hat, sunscreen, water, and breaks in the shade if they start to feel too hot.

To have a read of the NHS recommendations, have a look at their guide ‘Keeping your baby safe in the sun’.

We hope you enjoy having fun in the sun with your little ones and stay safe!

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