Keep Kids Cool and Active This Summer

Young children overheat far faster than adults, and they cannot always tell you when something is wrong. In a Houston summer, where the heat index regularly tops 100, that makes the season equal parts fun and worry.

As a Community Health Worker on Legacy Community Health’s Early Childhood Development team, Camarell Anderson spends her days helping parents give young kids a healthy start. Her message to parents is simple. Kids can still move, play, and stay safe, even on days too hot to be outside.

How do you know when a child is getting too hot?

Kids rarely say they feel sick, so you have to watch their body and their mood.

“Look for red cheeks, unusual fussiness, sleepiness, dizziness, or a sudden drop in energy,” Anderson says.

If you notice any of those signs, move your child to a cooler spot, offer water, and let them rest. A light misting with water helps, and so does a tepid bath. Aim for water slightly cooler than a normal bath, but not cold.

When does overheating become an emergency?

Most of the time, a little cooling and rest does the trick. Home care is fine as long as your child stays alert, is only mildly flushed, still wants to drink, and is sweating normally.

• Call for a same-day or walk-in visit if your child is unusually sleepy or cranky, vomiting, or runs a fever that will not come down. Do the same if they have gone more than two hours without urinating.
• Head to the ER or call 911 right away if your child is confused or hard to wake, struggles to breathe, has a seizure, or passes out. Other danger signs are hot, dry skin, sweating that stops while they are still hot, trouble drinking or staying awake, and a temperature above 104 degrees.

“The younger the child, the quicker they go from okay to dangerous,” Anderson says. Babies and toddlers need the closest watching, since they can’t always tell you what’s wrong.

Are your kids drinking enough water?

Young children rarely notice thirst on their own, so offer water often. Water-rich foods help too, and watermelon, oranges, and cucumbers are easy, kid-friendly choices. Safe in the Seat suggests making hydration a treat with frozen fruit, smoothies, or popsicles.

What this looks like changes by age.

• Babies under six months need only breastmilk or formula. Water comes later, once they start solids and their doctor okays it.
• Toddlers are still learning to read their own bodies, so they need reminders to drink.
• Preschoolers can take water breaks on their own, and this is the age to steer them toward water over sugary drinks.

What about hot surfaces and parked cars?

Playground equipment, metal slides, and car seat buckles can get hot enough to burn small hands, so test them before your child climbs on. And never leave a child alone in a car, not even for a minute with the windows cracked.

As Legacy’s own summer safety guide explains, a parked car can reach dangerous temperatures within minutes, making it one of the most preventable risks of the season. For the rest of summer’s hazards, Consumer Reports has a helpful roundup.

What can kids actually do when it is too hot to go outside?

You don’t need a backyard or a budget to give kids options. “Kids need big muscle movement every day to keep their brains regulated and growing,” Anderson says.

Here are a few of her favorite low-cost ideas:

• Throw a dance party and let your child copy your moves or invent their own.
• Build a tunnel or fort out of pillows, blankets, and chairs, then crawl through it together.
• Set up water play with a towel, a bowl of water, and a few cups or spoons to pour and squeeze.
• Make no-mess art by squirting paint into a sealed zip-top bag and letting your child squish and draw.
• Turn chores into a game by sorting socks by color or wiping a table with a damp cloth beside you.

Want something extra fun? Mix half a cup of dish soap, one and a half cups of water, and two teaspoons of sugar for homemade bubbles. Or stir a quarter cup of baby shampoo into half a cup of cornstarch, a couple drops of food coloring, and a little water to make bath paint that washes right off.

What about screen time when it is just too hot?

When it is 105 outside, screens become the easy fallback. That’s fine in moderation. Anderson likes to remind parents that screens are new, and we survived whole summers without them.

Save screens for the hottest stretch, usually between noon and 2. Choose slow, calm shows over flashy ones with quick cuts, and watch along when you can, especially with kids under five. It keeps them from stumbling onto something you would rather they not see and helps them follow what is on.

And if your child gets an extra hour because it is miserable out, let the guilt go. As long as they still get plenty of chances to move, talk, imagine, and connect with you, Anderson says, they will be growing and learning right on track.

What if everyone needs a change of scenery?

Houston has plenty of cool, air-conditioned places where kids can move and explore. The Houston Chronicle rounded up family-friendly indoor spots, from the hands-on exhibits at the Children’s Museum of Houston to the lesser-known Cockrell Butterfly Center, where live butterflies land right on your shoulder. A morning outing breaks up the day and still gives kids real activity.

What if you do not have air conditioning at home?

You still have free options. Public libraries and malls are reliably cool, and the city runs Beat the Heat cooling centers across Houston. Find the full list of locations here.

A few habits to cool down your house:

• Close curtains and blinds during the day to block the sun.
• Open the windows about two hours after sundown, then shut everything before sunrise.
• Dress kids in light, breathable cotton.
• Freeze a few wet washcloths in zip-top bags and rest one on the back of the neck for a quick cool-down.

Does keeping a summer routine really matter?

A steady rhythm to the day helps young kids feel secure, and that usually means fewer meltdowns for everyone. Movement, water breaks, quiet time, and a little play can all fit into a loose routine that carries you through the hottest weeks.

All of this is health happening outside the exam room, and that’s the heart of Health Beyond Care. You know your child better than anyone, so trust what you see, and never hesitate to ask when something feels off. Your Legacy pediatrician can help at 832-548-5000, or visit legacycommunityhealth.org to find a location near you.