I didn’t fully appreciate how heat affects our mental stability and patience until I travelled with kids. I also didn’t realize how significantly heat impacts children until I experienced it firsthand.
As someone who dislikes the cold, I usually embrace the heat like a long-lost friend, even when it’s a scorching 40 degrees. However, when travelling with my kids, I find myself seeking out cooler environments more frequently than I would if I were travelling alone. I believe it surpasses fatigue as the leading cause of meltdowns.
Travelling in the heat with kids demands extra planning and precautions to ensure everyone remains safe and comfortable. Here are some tips to help you manage effectively.
That was a combination of heat and fatigue.
Heat lowers tolerance levels, causing you to become agitated and restless much more quickly.
Preparation
- Plan Ahead:
- Choose travel times that are cooler, such as early mornings or late afternoons.
- Research destinations and accommodations for shade and cooling facilities.
- Stay Hydrated:
- Pack plenty of water for everyone.
- Encourage kids to drink water regularly, not just when they feel thirsty.
- Dress Appropriately:
- Dress kids in lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing.
- Use hats and sunglasses to protect them from the sun.
When the heat comes, there are other challenges to deal with: constant pestering from insects trying to get in your face, biting and midges, sunburn, stickiness, and the unpleasantness of stinky sweat.
My baby starts whining like a banshee, adding to the list of irritants, especially since I feel like lying down and whining too. But as parents, we can’t do that.
Choose your destination wisely.
paying close attention not only to where you travel but also when. Ignoring this could result in a waste of time and money.
Exercise caution when considering travel to tropical regions.
The suitability largely depends on your children’s ages and needs, so it’s important to weigh this carefully.
Understand your children.
Consider your child’s temperament: What triggers their frustration? How do they handle the heat in your hometown? Do they enjoy being outdoors, or are they content with quiet time indoors?
Understanding their interests, triggers, and potential for meltdowns is crucial for implementing preventative strategies. This insight will guide you in choosing suitable destinations, selecting appropriate activities, and scheduling downtime for a rest or movie break.
During Travel
- Use Sunscreen:
- Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 on all exposed skin.
- Reapply every two hours, or more often if swimming or sweating.
- Take Breaks:
- Plan frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
- Cooling Items:
- Bring along cooling towels, portable fans, or misting bottles.
- Use ice packs or cool packs in strollers or car seats.
Plan your activities with the heat in mind.
Start early in the morning for your activities, especially if you’re hiking, as temperatures begin to rise around 10 a.m., though in hotter regions, the heat can be constant.
During the hottest part of the day, retreat to indoor activities or relax at your accommodation. Evenings are perfect for enjoying the cooler air, watching a stunning sunset, and having a barbecue.
Choose accommodation with air conditioning.
If your kids are having a tough time with the heat, or if their temperament doesn’t handle it well, opt for an apartment or hotel with air conditioning. This is especially important for those considering camping.
Recognize your kids’ signs.
Signs like flushed faces, glazed or droopy eyes, and short responses quickly indicate when we’re approaching a heat-related meltdown. As soon as I notice these signs, I take immediate action: offer water and food, have them sit down and rest, and move to a shaded or cooler area.
Plan to conclude your activities and head home for a rest. If that’s not possible, find a shaded spot where they can recover their strength, and look for a sprinkler or water source to help them cool down.
For example, when we attended the Australian Open on a sweltering 43-degree day, our girls were unfortunately turned away from the water fountain by security guards, who seemed to prefer dealing with the risk of heat stroke over allowing them to cool off with a few splashes of water.
If you notice symptoms like muscle cramps, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, or any change in mental state, get to an air-conditioned space as quickly as possible and start cooling them down.
Seek out water.
Locate swimming opportunities whenever possible. Choose campsites or apartments with pools, or seek out nearby beaches, rivers, or swimming holes.
Opt for light, healthy meals.
Keep a supply of fruits, nuts, yogurt, vegetable sticks, and other light snacks. Treat yourself to a refreshing ice cream occasionally. I don’t usually indulge, but I made an exception a few times while in Broome.
Barbecues are a great option in the heat and pair well with salads.
When cooking a meal, prepare extra for leftovers. I frequently cook a large batch of quinoa to use throughout the week.
For quick meals, toss in some veggies to make a salad. We also use a high-speed blender for smoothies, which are perfect for cooling down with frozen fruit. Additionally, our cold-pressed juicer is ideal for light, nutritious lunches full of greens.
At Your Destination
- Stay Indoors During Peak Heat:
- Schedule outdoor activities for early morning or late afternoon.
- Spend the hottest part of the day indoors or in the shade.
- Monitor for Heat-Related Illness:
- Watch for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, such as dizziness, nausea, excessive sweating, or rapid pulse.
- Seek medical attention if you suspect heat-related illness.
- Healthy Snacks:
- Offer snacks with high water content like fruits (watermelon, oranges) and vegetables (cucumber, celery).
- Avoid heavy, salty, or sugary snacks that can dehydrate.
Allow a breeze to circulate while you sleep.
Heat can definitely interfere with a good night’s sleep. There will be nights when the intense stickiness makes you toss and turn, but we’ve found such nights to be rare.
Choosing your travel dates to align with cooler seasons can help ensure that nights are more comfortable.
We keep all the windows in our van open to let in the cool breeze and use a small fan above our beds. If necessary, we also have a larger fan in the living area that we use to circulate air. This setup works effectively for us.
If the heat becomes overwhelming, you can soak face cloths in water and place them on your face for relief.
Use frozen cooling pads for your face.
You can purchase small face-cooling packs that you freeze and then place on your face when it gets too hot. They’re excellent for cooling down kids as well.
Take your naps.
Take a break during the hottest part of the day if possible. Relax, read, and enjoy some quiet time. On particularly hot days, I often take the girls to the movies if there are cinemas nearby.
Opt for light, loose-fitting clothing.
Cotton is ideal for breathability. Choose lightweight, light-coloured clothing and opt for loose-fitting garments that allow air to circulate against your skin.
Your clothing should also match the climate of your destination. While I don’t usually burn in humid heat, I can burn quickly in dry heat. In such cases, wear clothes that cover most of your skin.
Drive during the hottest part of the day.
Although driving with the air conditioning on will use more fuel, it can help you avoid the intense daytime heat by travelling between destinations during the hottest part of the day. Plan to drive on the hottest day of the week, but make sure to pack the car early to avoid doing so during the peak heat.
Extra Tips
- Comfortable Transportation:
- Ensure your vehicle’s air conditioning is working properly.
- Use sunshades on car windows to reduce heat and glare.
- Entertain and Distract:
- Bring along books, games, or electronic devices to keep kids entertained and less focused on the heat.
- Stay Calm:
- Keep a positive attitude. Kids will often mirror the behavior and mood of their parents.
Emergency Preparedness.
- Emergency Kit:
- Carry a basic first aid kit that includes items for treating minor injuries, insect bites, and heat-related issues.
- Local Emergency Contacts:
- Know the local emergency numbers and the locations of the nearest hospitals or urgent care centers.
With these tips, you can help ensure a safer and more enjoyable travel experience in the heat with your kids.
Remember that you’ll eventually adapt.
You’ll gradually adapt to the heat, so allow yourself time to do so. It may take a while, but soon you’ll find yourself in situations where 31 degrees feels cool, and you might even hesitate to swim because it seems a bit chilly.
