Beat the Heat: Supporting Youth Well-Being Through Safe Outdoor Play

Summer is here! I just dropped my son off at soccer camp, sweating as I walked from the car to the dorm. Playing soccer in this heat – Wow! I left him with lots of reminders to drink water, apply sunscreen, and get plenty of rest. Now I’m hot just thinking about writing this blog post. As temperatures rise, it can be more challenging to find ways for youth to safely play outdoors. But, staying active isn’t just about physical health, it’s also essential for emotional and mental well-being. Outdoor play gives youth space to build confidence, manage stress, and strengthen important life skills that support healthy development.

Why it is important for youth to play outside

1. Youth need exposure to the sun to make Vitamin D, which promotes bone development and a healthy immune system.
2. Key guidelines recommend physical activity for an hour a day. Playing outside creates all kinds of opportunities for movement and usually more space to move (e.g., ball, swim, take a walk, etc.).
3. Healthy risks challenge youth. There is a lot to learn from taking healthy risks. For example, climbing a tree or learning to ride a bike stretch youth to consider what they are capable of. This builds self-confidence. Youth also learn from their mistakes, such as what to avoid, how fast is too fast to ride, etc. These experiences help develop executive functions, or the skills that help organize, monitor, and manage our thinking and behavior.
4. Being outside expands our horizons. Nature provides many different sensory experiences, such as birdsong, wind, the texture of tree bark, and the setting sun. Nature also promotes creative play with unstructured time (e.g., building a fort out of sticks).
5. There is a lot to learn about nature, from biodiversity (e.g., living organisms and their ecosystems) to how we take care of our planet to what we can appreciate from it.
6. Exposure to dirt is actually healthy for us. Microorganisms in the soil can boost our immune system, brain development, and mental health.

Cautions for playing outside

There are several things to consider with outdoor play. First, sun exposure is important for health, but the sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause damage to our eyes and skin. Strategies such as applying sunscreen, wearing hats and protective clothing, playing in the shade, scheduling outdoor time in the morning and later evening times, etc., can help reduce the risk of harmful sun exposure. Second, being in nature and taking full breaths of clean air is good for the soul and the body; however, in some areas, there is concern for environmental toxins in the air (e.g., smog). Paying attention to weather patterns and air quality is important if you are concerned about exposure in your area. It is also important to balance risk with safety. Outdoor activities can bring more risks for injury (e.g., a bike accident, falling out of a tree). Consider safety in the youth’s surroundings, such as exposure to unknown people, violence, or busy streets. Close supervision at all times is encouraged for outdoor play. Proper hygiene for handwashing is always recommended, but especially after water play or exposure to soil. Finally, be mindful of the signs of heat exhaustion, such as heavy sweating, faintness, dizziness, fatigue, weak or rapid pulse, muscle cramps, nausea, headache, etc. If you think you have heat exhaustion, immediately stop all activity, move to a cooler place, and drink cool water or sports drinks.

Ways to encourage safe, outdoor play during the summer months

1. Get outside early (before 10am). In the morning hours, the sun is less intense, and the temperatures are cooler. Or wait until later in the day (after 4pm).
2. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water. For more information on hydration and fueling your body, see our blog on nutrition.
3. Take regular time outs from intense activity.
4. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every 1-2 hours and wear light, loose clothing.
5. Play with water.
   • For younger youth, using a water table or “kiddie” swimming pool can help kids stay cool. It’s a great sensory experience that promotes the use of problem solving and motor skills, creativity, and understanding of physics.
   • Water balloons are an option to cool down outside when space is limited.
   • Wash your car.
   • If you have a yard available, turn on a sprinkler.
   • Many city parks also now have water experiences and/or pools, so pack a towel, and go get wet! When swimming, consider safety precautions and closely supervise water activities.
6. Find trees, umbrellas, or other covered areas. Play in shaded areas. Avoid direct sunlight when possible.
7. Enjoy a popsicle. Freezing low sugar lemonade or 100% fruit juices can be an economical way to enjoy a cold treat.
8. Volunteer to help with nature preservation in your community, such as planting trees, watering gardens, picking up trash, etc.
9. Be creative with what you do and switch it up for variety. Here is a link to some ideas for outdoor activities with youth.
10. Follow outdoor play time with rest in a cool space. See our blog on healthy sleep habits to learn why rest is important for our mental and physical health.

Encouraging safe outdoor play during the summer months doesn’t just help youth stay active. It can also nurture confidence, resilience, and routine, all of which support mental and emotional well-being. Behavioral health providers and caregivers can use these strategies as a foundation for promoting health habits outside of structured care. For more ways to integrate wellness strategies into behavioral health support, explore our other blogs and evidence-informed tools at practicewise.com.

—

About the Author

Janelle Wagner Ph.D., serves on the Professional Development Team as an Associate Trainer and Senior Consultant for PracticeWise. Learn more about Dr. Wagner on the PracticeWise team page.