Kids love to play in the snow — building snow forts, having snowball fights, and even eating snow — but how long is it safe for little ones to be outside in extremely cold weather? With a large chunk of the US facing record lows, more and more parents are asking themselves this question. POPSUGAR talked to doctors to get an answer.
How Long Can Kids Stay out in the Snow?
Board-certified pediatrician Amna Husain, MD, told POPSUGAR that smaller bodies have a harder time with thermoregulation, or body temperature regulation. "The younger the child, the smaller the ratio of body mass to the body surface, meaning more heat can escape through his or her skin," Dr. Husain explained, noting that the length of time a child can safely spend outside in the snow depends on both the child's size and their ability to communicate how cold they feel.
How Long Can Babies Stay Out in the Snow?
Primary-care physician Jaydeep Tripathy, MBBS, MRCP (UK), MBA-MPH, AFIH, told POPSUGAR that since babies' bodies lose heat faster than they are able to produce it, you should only take a baby out in freezing-cold weather when absolutely necessary, and in these cases, make sure you take proper safety precautions to keep the infant warm. However, Dr. Tripathy warned against taking an infant out at all in temperatures of -15 degrees Fahrenheit and below, "because it can quickly freeze the baby's skin within minutes."
How Long Can Toddlers Stay Out in the Snow?
Dr. Tripathy said toddlers can play out in the snow for 20 to 30 minutes at a time but never in temperatures of -15 degrees Fahrenheit and below. He added that they should be properly dressed in warm coats, gloves, hats, snow pants, and boots. Dr. Husain suggested checking in with toddlers frequently to see if they feel cold by asking them, feeling the temperature at the back of their neck, and watching for nonverbal indications that they are feeling cold, like shivering.
How Long Can School-Age Children Stay Out in the Snow?
"School-aged children can generally stay outside during winter longer than toddlers and babies," Dr. Tripathy said. "If they're physically active, dressed properly, and the wind chill or temperature is not below -15 degrees Fahrenheit, they can stay for around an hour to play." Dr. Husain said school-age children are generally verbal enough to tell you if they are too cold, but parents still need to check in frequently. Supervising adults should ensure kids wear enough layers and remain dry.
What Are the Warning Signs of Hypothermia in Children?
Hypothermia, or dangerously low body temperature, is the primary concern parents should have when it comes to monitoring how long their kids spend playing outside in the snow. Dr. Tripathy said babies are most vulnerable to hypothermia, and if their temperature drops below normal (between 96 to 100.4 Fahrenheit), you should call 911 immediately. He listed cold, pale skin or redness and unusually low energy level as the signs to watch for in babies and clumsiness, shivering, and slurring of words or disorientation as signs to watch for in toddlers.
Frostbite is another concern when it comes to kids being out in the snow for too long. "[Frostbite] happens in the extreme cold when the layer of tissue just below the skin starts to freeze. It will feel like it's burning before it goes numb, but babies and toddlers won't be able to alert you," Dr. Tripathy cautioned. "If you suspect frostbite, warm your child immediately, soak the frostbitten area in warm water, and feed them hot water or milk (or breast milk if possible). If the spot begins to blister, take your baby to the ER or to your pediatrician to be sure," he advised. So long as you're checking in with your little one, there's no reason not to have a little snowy fun!
FAQs
There's no set amount of time kids should be allowed to stay out in the cold. But they should know that when being cold becomes unpleasant, it's time to go inside. Sometimes, kids may just need some dry gloves. Put an extra pair of gloves or mittens in their pockets if they plan to be outdoors for a while.
At what temperature should children not go outside? ›
It is important to keep babies and toddlers warm and protected from the cold, so it's best to avoid taking them outside if the temperature drops below freezing (32°F or 0°C) or if the wind chill is particularly low.
What temperature should kids stay inside? ›
The red zone is when the wind chill temperatures drop below 20 degrees. The rule here is to stay indoors. The risk to your child's skin becomes too great when the temperatures drop below 20.
What temperature is too cold for a child? ›
Just like with babies, letting toddlers play or be outside in temperatures or wind chills below -15 degrees F should always be avoided. It's just too cold and the risk is too high that your little one will be susceptible to hypothermia or frostbite.
Should kids go outside in winter? ›
Children need to play outside every day, even in winter. Going outside to run, jump, yell, and wiggle allows children to use their large muscles and work off extra energy. Moving out into the fresh air is also healthier for children than keeping them inside a closed building where germs can easily spread.
How cold is too cold for a 1 year old? ›
But how cold is too cold really? For little ones, avoid temperatures lower than -15°F as much as possible. This includes wind chill, so don't just pay attention to the actual temperature – make sure to take the 'feels like' temperature into consideration.
How hot is too hot for kids? ›
However, a heat index at or above 90°F, as identified by the National Weather Service, poses a significant health risk. High temperatures and extreme heat can cause children to become sick very quickly in several ways. It can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat stroke, which is a medical emergency.
Can kids be outside in 100 degree weather? ›
The good news is, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), there is no specific temperature that's too hot for a baby or child to go outdoors. What is important is to be safe by limiting the amount of time your kids spend outside during the hottest hours and have the right protection to safely enjoy the summer.
Is 66 too cold for baby? ›
You don't want your baby's room to be either too hot or too cold. It's recommended that the best temperature for babies is between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit or 20 to 22 degrees Celsius. Babies are more sensitive to changes in room temperature because they're so small and their bodies are still growing.
How hot is too hot indoors? ›
Be careful not to decrease your home's temperature to less than 55 degrees in winter or allow your home to warm to more than 80 degrees in summer, as it may leave your home susceptible to damage. An indoor temperature of less than 55 degrees may lead to freezing pipes, while anything more than 80 may damage drywall.
Kids are particularly at risk for heat cramps when they aren't drinking enough fluids. Although they're painful, heat cramps usually get better when kids drink fluids and get rest. Cramps can be the first sign of more serious heat illness, though, so they should be treated right away to help avoid any problems.
How hot is too hot for 1 year old? ›
Babies, toddlers and small children shouldn't be outside for any prolonged period of time if the heat index is listed as 90 degrees or higher.
Does cold weather make kids sick? ›
The cold weather itself doesn't cause illness, but it can weaken the immune system, making it a lot harder for the body to fight off infections. Many winter activities, such as playing in the snow or skating on ice, can expose children to cold temperatures, increasing the likelihood of catching a cold or flu.
What temperature is dangerously cold? ›
Extreme cold may be considered any temperature below freezing (32 degrees F). During an extreme cold event, your body must work extra hard to regulate a normal body temperature and that could lead to illness or death, especially with vulnerable populations.
What happens if a child gets too cold? ›
Symptoms of hypothermia include: shivering. pale, cold and dry skin – skin and lips may turn blue or grey (on black or brown skin this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet) slurred speech.
How long can you be out in the snow? ›
When Is Cold Too Cold? Experts agree that it's best to stay indoors if the temperature falls below zero degrees Fahrenheit or the windchill dips below -18. If you must go outside, you should do your best to limit any skin exposure to no more than 30 minutes.
Can my sick kid play in the snow? ›
Some kids with weakened immune systems or special medical conditions might suffer from prolonged exposure to lower temps. But an otherwise healthy kid with a mild cold isn't going to have a problem being outside. In fact, sick kids should go outside if they're feeling up to it.
How long should a kid stay home from school with a cold? ›
Healthcare professionals recommend that sick children stay home until they're well enough to go back to school. This is typically about 24 hours after symptoms begin to improve. In some cases, however, it can be difficult to determine whether your child is well enough to return to school.
Is it good for kids to play in the snow? ›
The Benefits of Outdoor Play in the Winter
Being outdoors and breathing fresh air strengthens the immune system. Research shows that children in regular contact with dirt, trees, grass and snow in an outdoor setting are less likely to develop autoimmune disorders and allergies.
