Here are a few steps to help you keep those little ones safe while they play!
Water You Waiting For?
It might not seem like it’s terribly hot outside, but if kids are running around at top speed and playing their games they are still at risk of becoming dehydrated. Call them in often, encourage them to drink water or juice, or make drinks available to them while they’re outside.
If you’re in a warm climate where spring has already sprung, popsicles can be a great way to keep them hydrated while they’re playing. Instead of buying popsicles from the grocery store, pick up some popsicle molds for a few bucks and make your own Blend up some juicy fruits like watermelon, pour them into the molds, freeze, and enjoy!
Keep Those Eyes Open
Kids love to explore and be independent, but it’s important to check for hazards before they start playing. Sticks and rocks and things aren’t necessarily hazards (and will probably be turned into swords and castles, depending on what game they’re playing) but anything that could be dangerous should be moved or removed from the play area.
This is also important on playgrounds. While they’re designed to be a safe place for kids to play, old equipment could present a risk. Take a few minutes to look over the playground equipment and the surrounding area to make sure there are no hazards to prevent your child from enjoying their playtime.
It’s The Bees Knees
Kids aren’t the only ones enjoying the warm spring weather — your neighborhood honeybees are waking up from their winter nap and venturing out to look for food. Here are a few things to keep in mind and to teach your kids when they encounter a bee:
- Play the statue game — Teach your kids that if a bee lands on them, they should be as still as a statue. Bees are more likely to sting in response to sudden movement.
- Don’t leave open drinks — Sugary drinks attract bees because they smell like food. It becomes a problem with things like soda cans because bees will crawl in an open can and sting when someone tries to drink.
- Wear shoes and proper clothing — Shoes will protect your feet if you happen to step on a bee. Long pants can protect your legs if you’re going to be in an area where there are a lot of bees.
- Be prepared — If someone has an insect sting allergy, make sure that you have an EpiPen handy while you’re out an about.
Make sure you teach your kids that bees aren’t out to get them — they’re just looking for food and are more afraid of you than you are of them.
Soak Up The Sun
Protecting your skin from sun damage is one of the most important things that you should do before heading outside, no matter how old you are. Make sure that any skin that isn’t covered by clothing is covered by sunscreen.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying sunscreen 15 minutes before heading outside, and again every two hours while you or your kids are out in the sun. Make sure you look for a broad spectrum sunscreen — one that protects against both UVA and UVB rays — and has a minimum SPF of 30.
Hats and sunglasses are also a great way to protect your skin from the sun, but it can be hard to convince kids to wear them and keep them on. If they won’t wear a hat, stick with the sunscreen.
Spring is a great time to get outdoors. New plants are growing, new animals are being born, and there are thousands of new things to experience and discover. Just follow these steps to help keep your little ones safe, and set them loose to enjoy the world!
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Kacey is a lifestyle blogger for The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations, cultures, and styles, while communicating these endeavors through her passion for writing and expression. Her love for the world around her is portrayed through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts. You can find her on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.
The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog contributor’s. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Writers may have conflicts of interest, and their opinions are their own.