3 Tips to Keeping Children Safe Outdoors This Summer [2025]
Let’s be honest—kids + outdoors = bumps, bites, burns, and the occasional freak-out. That’s the deal. You want them running wild and having fun. But you also don’t want to spend the afternoon Googling “what does poison ivy rash look like,” or speed-walking to urgent care with a bee sting gone bad.
That’s where this guide comes in.
At Chicago Foam Company, we’ve been through enough backyard birthdays, park playdates, and scorched summer camps to know what really matters when it comes to outdoor safety. This isn’t about wrapping your kid in bubble wrap. It’s about being smart, being ready, and knowing when to chill out and when to act fast.
Whether it’s a full-blown party or just the sprinkler in the yard, here’s how to keep things fun and safe.
Keep Kids Safe Outdoors Tip #1: Bug Bites & Stings
Mosquitoes. Ticks. Bees. Wasps. Nature’s little chaos agents. If your kid is outside, they’re on the menu. And while most bites are annoying more than dangerous, some can take a fun afternoon and turn it into a panicked Google search.
Let’s stop that before it starts.
Start with prevention. Use a kid-safe bug spray. There are great DEET-free options out there that don’t smell like you just hosed your child down with chemicals. Long sleeves and pants help too, especially in the woods or during tick season. And if you can, skip the dusk/dawn play sessions—those are prime mosquito hours. Want a natural route? Try citronella or lemon eucalyptus oil. They’re not miracle potions, but they can hold the bugs off long enough to enjoy the backyard.
But let’s be real. Even with your best effort, someone’s getting bit.
If it’s a mosquito or a mild sting, wash the area and slap on some hydrocortisone or a cold compress. Done. If it’s a bee sting, scrape the stinger out with a card—don’t pinch it. You’ll squeeze more venom in. Watch for swelling beyond the sting, hives, or trouble breathing. That’s not just “kid drama”—that’s your cue to get help, fast.
Ticks? Yeah, those are sneaky. Do a full-body check when you come back inside. Especially hairlines, behind ears, waistband areas. If you find one, grab some tweezers and pull it straight out. Slowly. No twisting, no fire, no folklore. Just steady pressure.
Bottom line: bugs aren’t going away. But with a little prep and some know-how, neither are your outdoor plans.
Keep Kids Safe Outdoors Tip #2: Smart Protection From UV Rays
Sunburns are the kind of thing that sneak up on you. One minute, your kid is having the time of their life on a slip-n-slide. The next, they’re red as a lobster and screaming in the bathtub.
Here’s how to stop that train before it leaves the station.
Start with sunscreen. Not the leftover bottle from last year that smells like regret. Get a fresh one—SPF 30 or higher, water-resistant, and broad spectrum. Slather it on 15 minutes before they head out. And reapply every two hours—more often if they’re swimming or sweating buckets. If you think once is enough, trust me—it’s not.
Shade is your best friend. Pop-up tents. Big umbrellas. A floppy hat that makes your kid look like a mini Indiana Jones. Long-sleeved UV-blocking shirts are a game-changer too. Especially for kids who act like sunscreen is an act of betrayal.
Timing matters. If you can, plan the wild outdoor stuff before 10 AM or after 4 PM. That’s when the sun isn’t trying to fry you like an egg on asphalt.
Already got a burn? Aloe vera and cool compresses help. Keep them out of the sun while they heal. If the skin blisters, peels like crazy, or your kid starts acting off (headache, fever, chills), don’t brush it off. That’s your sign to call the doc.
The goal? Keep the memories, not the sun damage.
Keep Kids Safe Outdoors Tip #3: First Aid for Everyday Accidents
Let’s not pretend it won’t happen. Your kid’s going to trip, face-plant, or go head-first into a tree branch. Welcome to childhood.
These everyday accidents aren’t usually a big deal, but how you handle them can be.
First off, stock a real-deal outdoor first aid kit. Don’t rely on the crumpled bandage in your glove box from 2018.
Pack the basics
· bandages in all sizes
· antiseptic wipes
· tweezers for splinters
· cold packs for bruises
· burn cream (just in case someone gets a little too cozy with the grill.)
· Keep it all in a grab-and-go pouch—stash one in your car, one by the door.
Most scrapes and bumps? You’ve got this. Clean it, cover it, kiss the forehead, and send them back into the wild. But if there’s heavy bleeding, a cut that won’t close, or the kind of fall that makes your stomach flip—that’s when you call in backup.
And here’s something simple that makes a difference: teach your kids to speak up. Even if it’s just a small scrape, you want them in the habit of telling you. Praise them for reporting it, not toughing it out. That way, you catch the small stuff before it turns into something big—or infected.
Because let’s face it—“How did that even happen?” is a question every parent asks weekly. Might as well be ready.
Wrapping It All Up
Look, you can’t bubble-wrap your kid. And honestly, you shouldn’t want to. Scrapes, sunburns, bug bites—they’re part of the deal when you’re raising a wild, happy, outdoor-loving human.
But that doesn’t mean you go in blind.
A little prep goes a long way. Sunscreen, bug spray, a decent first aid kit—these things are small, but they pack power. You know what to watch for now. You know when to treat it yourself and when to make the call. And maybe most important—you’re teaching your kid how to stay safe and have a blast outside.
Because the goal isn’t to avoid every bump and bruise. The goal is to make the memories…and survive them with a smile.
Ready to turn your next outdoor event into a foam-filled adventure? Book a foam party with Chicago Foam Company and let your kids dive into a safe, fun, and unforgettable experience.