Kids love playing outdoors. Not only is it fun and exciting, but it provides lots of benefits too! They can get lots of fresh air and sunlight, have the opportunity to run around, get plenty of exercise, and learn healthy socialization skills while playing with other kids.
Whether you take them to the park or have a backyard set up, there is one important thing to keep in mind! You have to make extra efforts to prevent dehydration during outdoor play. Playground injuries like scrapes and bruises are barely a concern compared to dehydration.
Dehydration results from excessive exposure to the heat and sun and can result in some severe and dangerous conditions like cramps, exhaustion, and heatstroke. While your kids play outside in the Florida sun, here are some ways you can prevent them from becoming dehydrated:
1. Ensure Your Kids Are Dressed Appropriately
The way your kids are dressed will play a significant role in keeping them cool. Loose clothes are a better option than tight clothes, as they allow the body to perspire and let it evaporate. You should also try and have the kids wear light colors since lighter colors reflect heat. As for materials, lightweight linens and breathable cotton are your best bet. A wide-brimmed hat and a pair of sunglasses can provide extra protection from the sun and the heat, but we know that kids aren’t always willing to put up with hats and glasses.
2. Drinks for Staying Hydrated
The best way to prevent dehydration is by taking in plenty of liquids. Keep an eye on the kids while they play and ensure they drink something every 20 minutes, even if they insist they aren’t thirsty. The best drinks to stay hydrated are water and sugar-free natural juices. To encourage the kids to drink enough, you can give them fun and interesting cups, bottles, and straws, or try adding sliced fruit to the water to make it taste better.
3. Foods for Staying Hydrated
Certain foods can also help your kids stay cool and hydrated while playing outside. Encourage the kids to eat snacks between play and make sure they have plenty of options available. Natural produce and foods with high water content are good for preventing dehydration. You can cut up some watermelon chunks for the kids to snack on, some fresh strawberries, or a light and delicious soup.
4. Stay Inside During Peak Sunlight Hours
The sun is highest in the sky during peak sunlight hours, and the harmful UV rays are the strongest. These peak hours are usually between 10 am and 2 pm. If possible, stay inside during these hours and avoid going out into the direct sunlight. The kids can play outside early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid getting overheated and dehydrated.
5. Add Shades and Canopies to Outdoor Playsets and Playgrounds
Do you have outdoor playsets that the kids love playing on? The longer they stay outside playing, the more at risk they are of getting dehydrated. However, keeping outdoor playsets cool during the summer in South Florida is not impossible. You can add shades or invest in a portable canopy to keep the outdoor playtime with your kids safe and cool.
If you are looking for a playset canopy in Pembroke Pines, FL, look no further; Kool Kid Shady has got you covered. We deal in canopies specifically designed to keep the inside temperatures around 9 to 11 degrees cooler than the outside temperatures. Kool Kid Shady has created these playground canopies to shield your children from the harmful rays of the sun and prevent heatstroke or dehydration.
You can check out our website or visit our showroom at 4013 West Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33445, to check out the available canopies.
Our Final Thoughts
If your kids love playing outside, don’t let a little sun or the Florida heat stop them from having fun. We have outlined five ways in which you can prevent your kids from getting dehydrated. Try out all of the things we have mentioned, and hopefully, your kids will be happy, healthy, and hydrated while they play. And they can get to try some delicious and healthy drinks and snacks while they play. Contact Kool Kid Shady today.