Parents, how long do your children stay out?

@bamakelly (5191)
United States
May 20, 2009 3:21pm CST
I was wondering as a mother of a five year old as to how long you let your children play outside especially in the summer. When the weather gets too hot I worry that he is going to get dehydrated so therefore I will try to keep replenishing him with cold water. He seems to enjoy drinking it after running around for a while. I can't see a child staying in too long all day just watching television. It is a healthy thing to go out and play but I figure if my son goes out during the day especially in the hot summer I will limit him to about three to four hours at a stretch. How about you?
3 people like this
15 responses
• United States
21 May 09
My son is 7,he plays outside for as long as he wants to.I apply suncreen before he goes out to play,and I send him out with water.If he starts to look red in the face and he's sweating,I make him take a break.I do that any time of year though.He gets really worn out just from playing in general.I played outside all day when I was younger and I never went to the hospital for dehydration.I think the main concern would be getting a sunburn,so lots of sunscreen!!!!
1 person likes this
@bamakelly (5191)
• United States
21 May 09
I think that is a good idea to apply sunscreen to your child especially with these hot summer days approaching. Children can have a tendency to become red and flushed looking and that is the warning to have some cold water on hand. It is a good thing if your children like cold water. My son will reach for something to drink as soon as he seems thirsty. I am sure that a lot of children would love to stay out all day. They have the energy!lol Thank you for your input.
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
20 May 09
I don't even let my kids go out for half that amount of time at once. My kids normally want to come in before then anyway. I agree about keeping them hydrated though.
1 person likes this
@bamakelly (5191)
• United States
21 May 09
I can see that you make sure your children are alright when out doors. And I also can understand that some kids won't stay out for too long anyway. They might like to go outside for a certain period of time and then just want to come in and play. I just have a concern when it comes to the hot summer. The dehydration issue is what I have in mind so I make sure that my son has plenty of water. Thank you and take care lilybug.
@magrylouyu (1627)
• United States
20 May 09
Where I live during its an apartment type thing. Four apartments on one side of the street and 4 on the other side. Last summer my children were only 3,4 and 5. My friend that lives right below me, we spent all day outside. We would go out from 10am come inside at 1pm make lunch go right back outside until 6pm then make dinner, once again go back outside until 8-9pm. I really enjoy the summer around here and it sure wears the kids out. We always give them drinks as they want it as it was hot out. I believe in staying outside all day during the summer as that is how I grew up.
1 person likes this
@Raven7317 (691)
• United States
21 May 09
My son is only 3 1/2 and he would stay out from sun-up till sun-down if I let him! My rule is generally, if there is shade in the yard where he would be playing, that he can stay out as long as he wants, obsviously, with a bottle of water. I try not to give him freezing cold water because this can be a shock to the system and only masks the cooling down processs. I give him cold, but not frozen water to bring his body temp down slowly... But if the sun has moved and there is no shade in his play area, he's only allowed to play for thirty minutes or so, tops. He has to come and see me, drink, catch his breath and generally cool down. I watch for flushed cheeks and red chin/neck. I have no issues with taking his baseball hat and wetting it down with cool water and putting it back on his head! As always, I always make sure he has sunscreen on!
1 person likes this
@lumenmom (1986)
• United States
23 May 09
My daughetr is 7 and because she goes to a school where I have learned the value of children being outside, I let her go out as soon in the day as she is ready to go out. This causes friction with her grandmother because she believes children should not go out before noon. I don't know why she feels that way, but there's no changing her. Since there are other children who live here, they get mad because mine can go out as early as 9 am. As far as the evening, I prefer her to at least come in by 8:00pm, no later than 9pm in summer unless there is some festivity going on. I just don't think it's good for young children to be in the streets too late at night.
1 person likes this
@abkinsey (173)
• United States
20 May 09
I will let my son stay outside as long as he wants but I make sure that he has access to plenty of water to drink. I let him have as much as he wants to drink and then I offer snacks. That way, I know he's not getting depleted. I watch him for red cheeks, being really sweaty, or acting differently, too. If I notice those things, I bring him inside to cool down for a while. My son generally doesn't like to stay in the heat too long, though, so I don't have to worry about it. I just watch him for clues.
1 person likes this
@bamakelly (5191)
• United States
21 May 09
I can see where you are coming from abkinsey. I do also have concern for my child especially when it is hot outside or that I see he might look dehydrated. He starts looking a little flushed so I keep some cold water on hand. I think that water is the best thing to drink around this time of year. I think that you have a good idea with providing water and some snacks for your child to have from time to time. I guess that it is just a natural worry for parents to have that their children are alright and that they are cared for properly. I also believe in bringing a child inside after a certain amount of time just to keep an eye on them that they did not over heat.
@Ithink (9980)
• United States
21 May 09
We are all outside almost all day until about 6 or 7 at night, on the weekends. Weekdays we are out from about 10 til 3 PM. We come in for lunch and we take out drinks and such with us. I watch our 2 year old but the other two are 13 and 16 and they know when they are over heating. We work normally in the garden and doing wood while we all keep an eye on our two year old playing.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
21 May 09
my children are grown but i'm so glad u let yours get outside & play. some kids never do that. they stay in front of the tv, wi or whatever. when my grandson comes weather permitting we always go outside. he loves it. i know when i was a kid we stayed out pratically all day long. i like to see kids get out & play. i can tell u are a good mother, that's great. so many peole are not.
@celticeagle (157583)
• Boise, Idaho
21 May 09
My grandson loves apple juice so I freeze some in little popsicle things I have. He will come in get one or I will take them out to him and his friends. Inexpensive and quick is what I like. And they like them too. Win and win. He doesn't set and watch tv very long. Too nice outside and his friends are right out the door. It is actually the hottest part of the day when he comes home from kindergarten so I remind his mom or myself to get him water or a apple pop. He stays out until dinner. Probably three hours.
• United States
21 May 09
My oldest boy which is 3 years old he will stay outside all day and come in when hes ready however he drinks plenty of water and juice and i fix him something to eat and take it outside for him so all and all hes good. But not if he gets tired he'll come in for a few and take a nap maybe or jsut come in to cool off But other than that hes outside most of the day. And my youngest which is 1 years old he dont stay outside long because he dont like the heat if he gets hot he gets ill so i try to keep him cool so he dont get to hot.
• United States
21 May 09
Kelly- As long as your child is getting extra fluids, has sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen he or she should be fine. The biggest fear is sun or heat stroke. The rule of thumb for general water intake is 6-8 oz a day of water for children. (Excluding infants who do not need additional water). So, on warm days or days where they are playing you want to increase that by the amount of water they would loose playing outside. So long as they do not get dehydrated you'll not run the risk of heat or sun stroke. I would say that letting them play for an hour then having a break is best. Though, kids are hearty and will for hours if you let them. With my older children I'd just set a pitcher of water outside for them with cups. They knew they could run and get it whenever they wanted. That tended to keep them hydrated. Namaste-Anora
@vickycity (154)
• China
21 May 09
It's science way of what you do .
@cicisnana (772)
• United States
21 May 09
Children need to be outside. Enjoying the air, the warmth of the sun and just the fun that comes from being outside and not stuck in the house. They have enough of that on a rainy day. And too much TV or computer time, well, there have been many takes on this, and most are not positive. As long as your son stays hydrated, and that is easy to do, just watch him, look for the signs as you mentioned yourself. Have him drink lots of fluid. If he seems to be overexerting himself, have him come in for a break.
@meandmy3 (2227)
• United States
20 May 09
My children are outside if it is nice. I am so aganist television for children. So we spend a good bit of time out doors, at parks, in the yard, at the pool etc and I always have tons of water, juice etc for them so they stay hydrated.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
21 May 09
it's been a long while since my kids were small like that. I think you know your kids and the kids know when to come in for drinks...never deny them. as for letting to sit in all day on a nice day...nope...make sure they get out and get some air...go on a hike or something...out of the house and away from the tv & computer is good.