Keeping Kids Cool During Summer Sports

My husband is an ultarmarathon bicyclist. I have a cooler of cold iced towels - wet and drippy, and a garden sprayer of ice water to spray him with. Wading pool if ice and water to cool off works too. Lots of dinks and shade when possible. And put a cold wet towel or bandana under the helmet, if the sport calls for it.

Not sure what a cooling towel is. I've used those bandana/headband things that have absorbent material inside and can be soaked in water, which is then retained. They are good around the forehead and the neck. Is that the same thing as a cooling towel? Look in the beach and camping sections of stores.

I don't love Gatorade because of the sugar and dyes. I use an isotonic sports drink with fructose (not high fructose corn syrup) and beta carotene. There's a small amount of sodium to replace what's lost, but not so much that the kids keep getting thirstier.

No caffeine based sodas at all, either before of after exercise. If kids really want a treat, flavored seltzer gives them the bubbles but mostly water and a little flavor, no calories or sugar. It can give them a belly ache if they are burping while trying to run around, but for afterwards, it's fine.

A large container of water for pouring over the head is important. Frequent breaks, hosing down (a lot of our kids wear the breathable fabric shirts so their clothes don't stay drenched or dripping), and shade (those pop-up tents are great on the sidelines).

Watery fruits like watermelon and oranges (serve in wedges) or clementines/mandarins (easy peel). Sports teams and college track teams use the oranges a lot - kids can just suck on the open fruit if they're cut in quarters, and they also get the fiber (which they don't get in juice).

Well, I live in Hell, I mean, AZ. It's been 115 here consistently. I'm over it already.

We mostly stay inside during the summer, it's just way too hot to do anything outside other than swim in the mornings. When we are outside, we take big jugs of ice water with us. I also bought a couple of those electric fans that have the squirt bottles on them...they mist you are awe-some! They are currently at Walgreens for $10 each.

My husband and I have tried those cool bandana looking things that you get wet and wrap around your neck. They work pretty good too when you re-wet them. And when my husband was on the church softball team I sat under an umbrella in the shade. That helped some. Good luck.

I saw this video (not sure where). This person took a new, clean disposable diaper and tore it open. They put the pellets into a handkerchief and sewed it so it formed a circle. They soaked it in ice cold water and put it over their head, so it hung like a necklace. They also made one the size of their head so it could snug the forehead. The pellets hold the liquid very well and are totally safe and non-toxic. I thought of trying this myself this summer. Keep in mind that the pellets expand, so you may not need as much as you think. :)

(They also used the pellets in potting mix to help keep roots damp and to absorb extra water to prevent root-rot! lol)

I recently saw people using a water bottle that also had a sprayer as part of it. I have no idea where they got it but I am looking. And of course swimming is a great activity.

i keep a spray bottle in the fridge, with a handful of crystals at the bottom. the crystal rocks help keep the cold. i usually put it the freezer for 15 minutes or so before we leave, just to really make it cold. don't want to freeze it, though. and it can stay in the cooler with the drinks.
khairete
S.

Shade during down time and LOTS of water!

Provide some shade if you can.
Those easy up canopys are great.
We used one during archery camp and it helped when temp was 99 and heat index was 110 last Tue.
Once shooters were done on the line they could step back and get into some shade and drink cold water.

We have several options...

1. We have water bottle fans (and extra bottles of water) (this is if I have the room and space to carry the stuff!!)
http://www.walmart.com/ip/34416194?wmlspartner=wlpa&a...

2. I fill a six-pack cooler with ice and water and put wash clothes in there so people can put them on their neck or head to cool off.

3. Have a Pop-Up gazebo/canopy or shaded area.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/10-x-10-Gazebo-Dark-Grey/34528397

4. Umbrellas.

5. There are bandanas that are out as well...you put them in cold water and then "wear" them
http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-13925NB/Other-Free-...

Need to find out what works for you and your family. There are a lot of options out there.