Keeping Active Play Safe: Heat, Hydration & Warm-Ups

Kids are more at risk from heat than adults — the Red Cross lists infants and children among the highest-risk groups. On very hot days, move active play to early morning or evening, and take breaks in the shade.

Watch for the early signs of heat exhaustion: flushed skin, heavy sweating, headache, or unusual tiredness. If you notice any of these, move to a cooler spot, offer small sips of cool water, and let them rest.

A good habit rather than a strict number: a few sips of water every 15–20 minutes during active play, even before they feel thirsty — by the time a child says "I'm thirsty," they're often already a little behind on fluids.

The American Heart Association's guidance for kids' activity points to easing in gradually rather than going all-out cold. A few minutes of easy movement — walking, light stretching, small jogs — before the real playing starts helps warm up muscles and lowers the chance of strains.