Tips for Keeping Kids Cool on the Playground During Summer Months

<strong>Tips</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Keeping</strong> <strong>Kids</strong> <strong>Cool</strong> on the Playground During
Summer Months
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Playing It <strong>Cool</strong> on Hot Playgrounds
Warmer weather beckons families to come outside and play. As temperatures rise to 90+ degrees,
playground equipment and surfacing can heat up. Whether in your own backyard or a public park,
playgrounds provide kids with an area <strong>for</strong> fun, socialization and physical activity. Mindful parents and
caregivers can help create a safer play environment. When summer heat kicks in, a few safety
precautions should be followed to keep children from getting too hot and from coming into contact with
equipment that can be uncom<strong>for</strong>table to touch.
Symptoms of Excessive Heat Exposure
If a child has been exposed to heat <strong>for</strong> too long of a duration, they may begin experiencing symptoms
of heat-related illness. Muscle cramping and excessive sweating are 2 symptoms that can present
themselves to a watchful eye. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can present with very difference
symptoms. Mild heat exhaustion can be handled be a caregiver but heat stroke requires the attention of
a medical professional.
Heat Exhaustion vs. Heat Stroke

Heat exhaustion can range from milder <strong>for</strong>ms to more severe. A school nurse can appropriately treat
mild <strong>for</strong>ms of heat exhaustion.
According to the Centers <strong>for</strong> Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
Heavy sweating
Weakness
Cold, pale, and clammy skin
Fast, weak pulse
Nausea or vomiting
Fainting
Remove the child to a cooler area, apply cold cloths to exposed areas and have them sip water. If a
child has vomited and it continues, caregivers should seek the attention of a medical professional.
Heat stroke presents symptoms that are markedly different from heat exhaustion. Heat stroke is a
medical emergency and so caregivers need to call 911 immediately. In this case, do not give fluids to
the affected individual.
Symptoms of heat stroke include:
High body temperature (above 103 degrees F)
Hot, red, dry or moist skin
Rapid and strong pulse
Possible unconsciousness
Caregivers can move the child to a cooler environment and reduce the child’s body temperature with
cooling cloths or even a cool bath. This is occurring while waiting <strong>for</strong> medical personnel to arrive.
Playground Hot Spots
The CPSC advises parents and school personnel to regularly check playground equipment during peak
daylight hours.
Some factors to take into consideration are:
Black surfaces get hotter than those painted white, blue or red.
Humidity affects the temperature of playground equipment.
Some materials of the playground surfacing, such as solid steel decks, slides and steps, can get
hotter than other alternatives.
Playgrounds that are shaded have generally cooler surfaces.
The length of playtime and the amount of sun exposure will affect surfaces and children.
All of these variants can affect the surface temperatures of playground equipment and should be
regularly monitored during the summer months.
How to Keep Children <strong>Cool</strong> in Hot parks and Playgrounds
Let cooler heads prevail and have adults work to create safer play environments by adjusting elements
and time of play.
Some methods to create “cool” play are to:
Incorporate shade elements into new playground designs and adding them to existing
playgrounds. Shade elements will help protect surfaces and children from direct sunlight

during the peak hours of the day and offer a respite from the heat <strong>for</strong> children to move and rest
between activities.
Avoid play between the hours of Noon - 3:00 PM. The sun is directly overhead and the
effects are most significant during those hours. Schools can have children play indoors on
particularly hot days or have them play earlier or later in the day.
Wear clothing that is light, breathable and covers bare skin. If kids are sent out to play
during peak hours, such as at the end or beginning of the school year, make sure that they are
wearing cotton clothing and pants on the slide. When taking children out to play, seek out
playgrounds with shady coverings or water play-sets.
Assess the weather - Keep an eye out on the humidity and UV levels. Humidity can increase
the perception of heat and reduce the ability <strong>for</strong> the body to experience thermal com<strong>for</strong>t. This is
the degree of com<strong>for</strong>t that bodies feel in their surrounding environment. It is achieved when the
heat generated by a body is able to dissipate into the environment. High humidity can interfere
with this process. UV levels of 1 to 5 are generally safe <strong>for</strong> some protected exposure. According
to the EPA, UV radiation can be damaging to the skin, suppress the immune system and lead to
premature aging.
Recognize symptoms of overheating. Watch <strong>for</strong> signs of discom<strong>for</strong>t with children at play.
Symptoms include muscle cramping, nausea, dizziness, disorientation, turning pale or
excessive sweating. Avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke by making sure your children drink
enough water and rest every 20 minutes or so between activities.
Hydrate kids- Send child to school or to caregivers with a water bottle. Instruct them to refill as
necessary especially prior to going outside. Schools can permit children to drink from the water
fountain on their return to the classroom.
Educate children about the dangers of overheating and how to recognize symptoms in a
friend. Both parents and schools and help instruct children on safe play when temperatures
heat up. Parents and caregivers can bring spray bottles to spray down the slides or kids.
Parents and school aides can give kids popsicles to cool down – otter pops are a great,
inexpensive treat or you can freeze juice boxes <strong>for</strong> a mini-slushy.
Contact a Playground Planning Professional
Whatever you do, don’t let the heat keep you indoors. Enjoy the sunshine and play safely with
preparation and better equipment. For over 30 years, Component Playgrounds has adapted existing
playgrounds by creating cooler safe play conditions and has designed durable kid-tested playgrounds
that can withstand generations of use. Contact Component Playgrounds at 877-530-0222 <strong>for</strong> help
planning your next playground.