Illinois Weather & Outdoor Time at Daycare - post

In Illinois, the weather can change fast. A warm morning can turn into a cold, windy afternoon. Some days bring heavy rain, snow, or storms. Other days feel very hot and sticky.

Young children feel weather changes sooner than adults. Their bodies are still learning how to stay warm or cool. That’s why weather planning is a big part of keeping children safe.

Outdoor play is still important! Kids need fresh air, movement, and space to explore. The goal is not to skip outside time. The goal is to plan smart so children can play safely. #outdoorplay #healthandsafety

What should daycare staff check before going outside?

A quick “weather check” can take only 2–3 minutes. Try doing it before morning outdoor time and again before the afternoon.

Check these things:

• 🌡️ Temperature (how hot or cold it feels)

• 💨 Wind (wind can make cold weather feel colder)

• 🌧️ Rain or ❄️ snow (and how long it may last)

• ⛈️ Thunderstorms and lightning

• 😷 Air quality (smoke or pollution can bother lungs)

• 🧊 Ground safety (ice, puddles, mud, broken glass, fallen branches)

Helpful tip: Use a simple daily tool so staff check the same things every day. ChildCareEd has a ready-to-use resource here:
https://www.childcareed.com/r-00262-childcare-weather-chart-all-ages-admin-health-safety.html #childcare

🚦 How do we decide: go outside, shorten time, or stay inside?

Many programs use an easy “green-yellow-red” plan:

• 🟢 Green = Go outside
  Weather is safe. Play as planned.

• 🟡 Yellow = Go outside, but adjust
  Shorten outdoor time, choose calmer games, or stay in shade.

• 🔴 Red = Stay inside
  Conditions are not safe (like lightning, dangerous cold, unsafe heat, or very poor air quality).

If your center has a policy, keep it simple and clear. When everyone follows the same rules, staff feel confident—and families feel better too.

What are common Illinois weather risks, and what can we do?

Illinois has a little bit of everything. Here are common weather problems and easy ways to stay safe.

🥶 Cold days (windy, icy, or snowy)

Cold weather can be safe if children are dressed well and outdoor time is planned.

Try these safety steps:

• 🧥 Dress in layers (shirt + sweater + coat)

• 🧤 Use hats and gloves (keep extras for children who forget)

• 🧦 Keep socks dry (wet feet get cold fast)

• ⏱️ Shorten outdoor time on very cold or windy days

• 🧊 Check for ice on walkways and play areas

• 🧼 Warm up inside after outdoor time (water + bathroom + handwashing)

Quick staff tip: Keep a “winter extra bin” with spare gloves, hats, and socks.

🥵 Hot days (humid and sunny)

Heat and humidity can cause children to feel sick quickly. Some kids won’t say they feel bad until they feel really bad.

Use these hot-weather habits:

• 💧 Offer water often (before, during, and after outside play)

• 🌳 Choose shade and use canopies if needed

• 🐢 Do calmer play (chalk, bubbles, nature walks) instead of lots of running

• 👀 Watch for signs of heat stress, like:

  • headache

  • dizziness

  • nausea

  • very tired behavior

  • skin that is very red or very pale

• 🧴 Use sunscreen with parent permission and follow your center policy

⛈️ Storms and lightning

If you hear thunder, it’s time to go inside. Storms can arrive fast.

Helpful steps:

• 📢 Set a clear rule: “Thunder = indoors now.”

• 🧍‍♀️🧍 Practice moving inside calmly (like a mini drill)

• 🎒 Bring what you need (class list/emergency bag if your policy requires it)

🍂☀️❄️ How can we keep outdoor time safe AND fun in every season?

Outdoor play does not have to look the same every day. Changing the plan is part of good teaching.

Here are easy seasonal ideas for Illinois:

• 🌱 Spring: puddle jumping (boots), nature “find and look” walks, seed planting

• 🌞 Summer: water painting with brushes, shade obstacle course, sidewalk chalk games

• 🍁 Fall: leaf hunts, collecting sticks and acorns, simple scavenger hunts

• ☃️ Winter: snow shape making, animal track spotting, “winter color” walks (look for red, green, blue)

Want more Illinois ideas? Share this ChildCareEd article with your team (or families):
https://www.childcareed.com/a/what-outdoor-activities-work-well-for-illinois-kids-in-every-season.html

🏠 What should we do when we can’t go outside?

Some days, the safest choice is indoor play. That’s okay! Children still need big movement and hands-on fun.

Try “indoor outdoor-time replacements” like:

• 🎶 Dance party or freeze dance

• 🏃 Indoor obstacle course (tape lines, pillows, tunnels)

• 🧘 Kid stretching or simple yoga

• 🎈 Balloon volleyball or beanbag toss

• 🍃 Nature table time (pinecones, leaves, safe rocks to explore)

Tip: Keep a “bad weather bin” in each classroom so staff are ready fast.

👩‍🏫 How do we help staff stay confident and consistent?

Outdoor safety works best when everyone does it the same way.

A strong plan includes:

• 📝 One simple weather routine (who checks, when, and where it’s written)

• 🧥 Clear clothing reminders shared with families

• 🔁 A backup indoor plan ready every day

• 📦 Extra supplies (spare clothes, sunscreen forms, blankets, water)

• 👀 Active supervision outdoors (spread out, scan, count, and stay close)

If you want training support for your team, try this ChildCareEd course :

• https://www.childcareed.com/courses-creating-the-natural-outdoor-classroom.html

📋 What’s a simple outdoor time checklist we can use today?

Here’s a quick checklist you can copy into your daily plan:

🌡️ Check temperature, wind, and rain/snow

⛈️ Check for storms/thunder

😷 Check air quality if needed

👣 Walk the play area for hazards (ice, puddles, debris)

🧥 Confirm children have the right clothing

💧 Bring water (especially in warm weather)

👀 Review supervision plan (who watches which area)

🚦 Decide: full time outside, shorter time, or inside

Want a ready-made tool for this routine? Use this ChildCareEd resource:
https://www.childcareed.com/r-00262-childcare-weather-chart-all-ages-admin-health-safety.html

📲 Where can I get more quick tips and ideas from ChildCareEd?

For short videos and simple tips, follow ChildCareEd on TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@childcareed ✅

Try this with your team:

• 📌 Share one weather tip at staff meetings

• 📣 Post weekly reminders about outdoor clothing for families

• 🌿 Try one new seasonal outdoor activity each month

With a steady routine and clear safety steps, Illinois outdoor time can stay safe, healthy, and fun. 🌈