Parents, how long do your children stay out?

My son is 7,he plays outside for as long as he wants to.I apply suncreen before he goes out to play,and I send him out with water.If he starts to look red in the face and he's sweating,I make him take a break.I do that any time of year though.He gets really worn out just from playing in general.I played outside all day when I was younger and I never went to the hospital for dehydration.I think the main concern would be getting a sunburn,so lots of sunscreen!!!!

I don't even let my kids go out for half that amount of time at once. My kids normally want to come in before then anyway. I agree about keeping them hydrated though.

Where I live during its an apartment type thing. Four apartments on one side of the street and 4 on the other side. Last summer my children were only 3,4 and 5. My friend that lives right below me, we spent all day outside. We would go out from 10am come inside at 1pm make lunch go right back outside until 6pm then make dinner, once again go back outside until 8-9pm. I really enjoy the summer around here and it sure wears the kids out. We always give them drinks as they want it as it was hot out. I believe in staying outside all day during the summer as that is how I grew up.

My son is only 3 1/2 and he would stay out from sun-up till sun-down if I let him! My rule is generally, if there is shade in the yard where he would be playing, that he can stay out as long as he wants, obsviously, with a bottle of water. I try not to give him freezing cold water because this can be a shock to the system and only masks the cooling down processs. I give him cold, but not frozen water to bring his body temp down slowly... But if the sun has moved and there is no shade in his play area, he's only allowed to play for thirty minutes or so, tops. He has to come and see me, drink, catch his breath and generally cool down. I watch for flushed cheeks and red chin/neck. I have no issues with taking his baseball hat and wetting it down with cool water and putting it back on his head! As always, I always make sure he has sunscreen on!

My daughetr is 7 and because she goes to a school where I have learned the value of children being outside, I let her go out as soon in the day as she is ready to go out. This causes friction with her grandmother because she believes children should not go out before noon. I don't know why she feels that way, but there's no changing her. Since there are other children who live here, they get mad because mine can go out as early as 9 am. As far as the evening, I prefer her to at least come in by 8:00pm, no later than 9pm in summer unless there is some festivity going on. I just don't think it's good for young children to be in the streets too late at night.

I will let my son stay outside as long as he wants but I make sure that he has access to plenty of water to drink. I let him have as much as he wants to drink and then I offer snacks. That way, I know he's not getting depleted. I watch him for red cheeks, being really sweaty, or acting differently, too. If I notice those things, I bring him inside to cool down for a while. My son generally doesn't like to stay in the heat too long, though, so I don't have to worry about it. I just watch him for clues.

We are all outside almost all day until about 6 or 7 at night, on the weekends. Weekdays we are out from about 10 til 3 PM. We come in for lunch and we take out drinks and such with us. I watch our 2 year old but the other two are 13 and 16 and they know when they are over heating. We work normally in the garden and doing wood while we all keep an eye on our two year old playing.

my children are grown but i'm so glad u let yours get outside & play. some kids never do that. they stay in front of the tv, wi or whatever. when my grandson comes weather permitting we always go outside. he loves it. i know when i was a kid we stayed out pratically all day long. i like to see kids get out & play. i can tell u are a good mother, that's great. so many peole are not.

My grandson loves apple juice so I freeze some in little popsicle things I have. He will come in get one or I will take them out to him and his friends. Inexpensive and quick is what I like. And they like them too. Win and win. He doesn't set and watch tv very long. Too nice outside and his friends are right out the door. It is actually the hottest part of the day when he comes home from kindergarten so I remind his mom or myself to get him water or a apple pop. He stays out until dinner. Probably three hours.

My oldest boy which is 3 years old he will stay outside all day and come in when hes ready however he drinks plenty of water and juice and i fix him something to eat and take it outside for him so all and all hes good. But not if he gets tired he'll come in for a few and take a nap maybe or jsut come in to cool off But other than that hes outside most of the day. And my youngest which is 1 years old he dont stay outside long because he dont like the heat if he gets hot he gets ill so i try to keep him cool so he dont get to hot.

Kelly- As long as your child is getting extra fluids, has sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen he or she should be fine. The biggest fear is sun or heat stroke. The rule of thumb for general water intake is 6-8 oz a day of water for children. (Excluding infants who do not need additional water). So, on warm days or days where they are playing you want to increase that by the amount of water they would loose playing outside. So long as they do not get dehydrated you'll not run the risk of heat or sun stroke. I would say that letting them play for an hour then having a break is best. Though, kids are hearty and will for hours if you let them. With my older children I'd just set a pitcher of water outside for them with cups. They knew they could run and get it whenever they wanted. That tended to keep them hydrated. Namaste-Anora

It's science way of what you do .

Children need to be outside. Enjoying the air, the warmth of the sun and just the fun that comes from being outside and not stuck in the house. They have enough of that on a rainy day. And too much TV or computer time, well, there have been many takes on this, and most are not positive. As long as your son stays hydrated, and that is easy to do, just watch him, look for the signs as you mentioned yourself. Have him drink lots of fluid. If he seems to be overexerting himself, have him come in for a break.

My children are outside if it is nice. I am so aganist television for children. So we spend a good bit of time out doors, at parks, in the yard, at the pool etc and I always have tons of water, juice etc for them so they stay hydrated.

it's been a long while since my kids were small like that. I think you know your kids and the kids know when to come in for drinks...never deny them. as for letting to sit in all day on a nice day...nope...make sure they get out and get some air...go on a hike or something...out of the house and away from the tv & computer is good.