When Is It Too Hot to Play Outside?
As Mainers, we treasure summertime. After the long, cold winters we endure, there is something almost sacred about sunshine and long days spent outside. You know that at The Willow School we believe children belong outdoors. Nature is our classroom and she is the best teacher here! Haha
So when we keep children inside on a beautiful summer day, trust me—it feels as unnatural to us as it probably does to you.
I even catch myself thinking,
"It's a beautiful day...why are we inside?"
And then my practical brain reminds me that my first responsibility isn't simply getting children outside—it's keeping them safe while they're there.
We don't just look at what the thermometer says—we look at the heat index.
What's the difference?
The temperature is simply what the thermometer reads.
The heat index is what it actually feels like once humidity is factored in. Humidity makes it much harder for our bodies to cool themselves because sweat doesn't evaporate as easily. So while the thermometer might read 95°, it can actually feel like 105° or even 110°.
And if you've ever picked up a toddler after they've been running around outside, you've probably laughed and thought,
"Goodness...you're a little oven!"
Children's little bodies warm up much faster than ours do. They become completely absorbed in their work and play, often long before they realize they're too hot. They depend on the adults around them to notice the signs and make good decisions for them.
How Willow Makes Outdoor Decisions
As a licensed child care program, we monitor weather conditions and air quality every day before heading outside. We consider the heat index, the Air Quality Index (AQI), humidity, shade, and how long children have already been active.
Our goal is always the same:
Keep children safe.
Give them as much fresh air and outdoor exploration as conditions safely allow.
Adapt our plans when Mother Nature reminds us she's in charge.
Our Summer Outdoor Guidelines
Heat Index (Feels Like)What You'll See at Willow
Below 85°F Regular outdoor play with plenty of water available.
85–89°F Slightly shorter outdoor periods with extra shade and frequent water breaks.
90–94°F Outdoor play is limited to about 15–20 minutes with quieter activities in the shade.
95–99°F Most gross motor play moves indoors. Outdoor time is limited to brief nature observations or transitions.
100°F or higher We bring gross motor play indoors until conditions improve.
We Still Move Our Bodies
Staying inside doesn't mean the children spend the day sitting still.
Instead, you might find us: Dancing to music, practicing yoga, building indoor obstacle courses, playing movement games, creating sensory experiences, making art, reading stories and engaging in imaginative play
Children still move, explore, laugh, create, and learn. We simply shift where those experiences happen.
Caring for Little Bodies
Whenever we are outdoors during the summer, we make hydration and cooling a priority.
You'll see us taking frequent water breaks, seeking shade whenever possible, wearing hats, applying sunscreen according to family permission, and choosing calmer activities during the hottest parts of the day.
Our teachers are also watching carefully for the earliest signs that someone is getting too warm—rosy cheeks, unusual fatigue, irritability, or simply that look that says, "I've had enough."
Thank You
We all know that being outside is the very best place for children to learn. Digging in the mud, splashing at the water table, watching bugs, building forts, climbing, swinging—that's the good stuff.
At The Willow School, we believe in positive risk-taking. But heat-related illness isn't a risk we're willing to take. When conditions become unsafe, we'll simply bring the adventure indoors until it's safe to head back outside.
Thank you for trusting us to care for your children with both curiosity and common sense.
Warmly,
Jenny :)
