Tips to Keep Kids Happy & Safe This Summer
Sunshine equals fun times — don’t let your kids waste the beautiful weather this summer! The sunshine and warm temperatures are inviting your kids to leave the tablets inside and burn some energy outdoors — great, right? Outdoor activities obviously come with many benefits for your children’s physical and mental well-being, but as is the case with any physical activity, safety should be a priority. As you and your kids brainstorm some fun ways to enjoy the summer season, keep in mind some safety tips to stay happy and healthy.
Fun Activities to Try
According to the Centers for Disease Control, kids should get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. That doesn’t just mean marching your kids outside for calisthenics. Physical activity can come in many fun and exciting forms for kids of all ages. Looking for inspiration? Try some of these with your kids and enjoy some fresh air together.
- Backyard games: Playing catch, hide and seek, tag, or other games that involve some movement are a great way for kids to enjoy the fresh air — and build their social and motor skills.
- Organized team sports: Whether they’re on a park district team, a travel team, or just gathering friends for pickup games, sports like baseball, basketball, and soccer can keep your kids fit and active while teaching them valuable lessons about teamwork and sportsmanship.
- Swimming: A vigorous and often overlooked exercise, swimming at your municipal or backyard pool can help build your children’s physical endurance — and it’s a fun way to stay cool!
- Walking or biking: Take a trip around your neighborhood on foot or by two wheels. Walking and biking are both easy exercises for everyone.
- Exploring nature: Get up close with the local flora and fauna — your kids will be amazed at what they find whether they’re hiking through a park or nature preserve or just searching for bugs and animals in your own back yard.
- Chores: Your kids may think you have a loose definition of the word “fun,” but simple chores like sweeping or raking grass clippings and picking up sticks and twigs can certainly qualify as physical activity.
Staying Safe
Being active outside isn’t all fun and games though — certain safety precautions should be taken before sending your kids outside, even if they’re still at home. Follow these safety guidelines to ensure the fun goes on throughout the summer.
- Minimize your UV exposure. Wear sunscreen and reapply every 30 minutes. Stay in the shade as much as possible and wear clothing that covers or shades exposed skin.
- Stay safe around water. Always monitor your children at pools and only swim when lifeguards are on duty. Wear life jackets or flotation devices especially when boating on lakes and rivers.
- Recognize the warning signs of heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Be mindful of the temperature and offer breaks to cool off and hydrate; encourage your children to drink plenty of water.
- Learn to identify and avoid poisonous plants and venomous animals. Check out these guides on harmful plants, snakes, bees and wasps, and arachnids.
- Keep a first aid kit handy. Have the right tools available in case you need them.