How Hot Is Too Hot?

We're in the same part of Texas as Spidermonkey, and it is super-hot and humid here. We do what you do, and opt for mornings before lunch, and I really like going out in the evenings, too, but my kids don't enjoy that as much.

I have an 8 and a 3 year old, we live in South central TX, it was 98 today.
We played outside for an hour or two in the morning, then stayed inside until 4, then we swam in the pool for 2 hours.
I find it uncomfortable to be out there supervising them unless we are swimming, so we don't play outside in 90 plus degrees to much.
We have a gazebo folding thing, it has tie downs and does not blow away, the kids play under that sometimes, but we are lucky we have a lot of shade trees and a pool, if we didn't it would be mall walking and mickie D playplace only for us!

Around here if its gotta be less than 95 you might as well not even bother! Its very hot here in texas so we do inside play! But as long as they are hydrated y'all should be just fine!

If you keep hydrated and keep cool, in a pool or in the shade, you can be out all day. But you don't have to be. let your kiddo decide, if she's to hot and flushed, bring her in and go back out a little later. We are outside most from morning till about 10 and then after 5pm, unless the kids are in the pool. When my kids were small and the heat was to much we'd bring the sandtable into the basement where it was cool and play, they could kick their balls around and even ride their ride on toys. We've done this in the winter as well.

I don't know how old your child is but I know babies under 12 months shouldn't be out in direct sunlight for long periods of time. You said you play outside so I am assuming the baby is older then that. I watch my kids and if they are getting too red I bring them inside. My son has asthma so if it's very humid out I don't let him stay outside longer then 45 minutes at a time because the heat and humidity makes it hard for him to breathe. Of course you don't want your child to be a shut in but playing out in the morning and then staying indoors at the hottest part of the day is actually a pretty safe and responsible parenting method when the thermometer inches up past 95 IMO. You can read some heat protection tips here: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/prevent-dehydration-children

I'm jealous. It's flipping 50 degrees here with pouring rain on and off.
California isn't all sunshine and orange groves. At least not where I live.
Please send some of your warm weather this way.
Thanks!

Let them play...However, make sure you have the hose and sprinkler going so they can cool off. Also, keep the gatorade around...They need electrolytes to stay hydrated :)

We are usually out for about 2 hrs and I let him play in the pool. Just keep them hydrated with water or gatorade and don't forget the sunscreen. i would get the hose out and spray them off once in awhile if you don't have a pool. My son usually lets me know when hes had enough time in the sun.

We just did about 45 minutes at the pool, some of it out of the pool and some in, and I made her drink some water. Then we had to walk home and that was more than enough (she wanted to be carried). If you're used to the heat, then you can probably be out longer, but I wouldn't be out overly long in hot weather. Our local park is good til about 11 in the summer and then the shade shifts and it's time to go. Ice pops are good, too. Let them eat them outside mid-play. Less is more. Remember the heat index, too. It was 105 on the heat index today. Ugh!

I live in AZ and summer here is unbearable unless you are in the pool! You don't say how old your "little one" is but I would stick to outside play before noon. The hottest part of our days are 5pm here (summer is consistantly 105-115) YUCK! So I would have plenty of breaks and lots of water while you are outside. Sunscreen (keep reapplying it) and even the big sun hats help as well. My kids are older (11 and 8) so there is no way I can keep them inside all day no matter how hot it is! We are blessed to have a pool as well as just today I ordered summer passes for us for the water park, which will REALLY wear them out. Just limit their time in the sun, play some, come in and take a break and you can always go back out for a bit. Good luck!