Its important for children to get some exercise to stay healthy. You should not discourage them from getting outside and have fun when the sun is out. However you have to look out for signs of overheating especially on hot days.
Tips on how to keep children safe while exercising in warm weather
- The intensity of activities that last 15 or more minutes should be reduced whenever high heat and humidity reaches high levels.
- Children should stay well hydrated before outdoor activities. During activities less than an hour, water alone is fine. Kids should always have water or sports drink available and take a break to drink every 20 minutes while active in the heat.
- At the beginning of strenuous exercise program or after traveling to a warmer climate, the intensity and duration of outdoor activities should start low and then gradually increase over 7 to 14 days to acclimate to the heat, particularly if it is very humid.
- Wear light colored and light weight clothing and limit it to one layer of absorbent material to speed the evaporation of sweat. Sweat saturated shirt should be replaced by dry clothing.
- Practices and games played in the heat should be shortened. There should be more water/hydration breaks . Children should promptly move to cooler environments if they feel lightheaded, dizzy or nauseated.
Heat Stress Tips for Exercising Children. American Academy of Pediatrics. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/sports-injuries/Pages/Exercise-Related-Heat-Illness.aspx. Accessed August 1st, 2018
When hot gets too hot: keeping children safe in the heat. Harvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/hot-gets-hot-keeping-children-safe-heat-2016072610068. Accessed August 1st, 2018
Heat and exercise: Keeping cool in hot weather. Mayo Foundation. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048167. Accessed August 5th, 2018