Staying cool on soccer field

[blondemoment123]

It's still 100+ degrees with the heat index. I bought DS (6) a neck fan, but it's a bit clunky when he's running.

Any ideas on how to keep him cool while playing soccer?

[waverly]

blondemoment123 , no ideas while he is on the field, but I imagine that they will take additional hydration breaks and use the ice pack/ washclothes during the breaks to cool down. Game halves were shorter at that age, maybe 20 minutes, so they would get a break every 10 minutes, and coaches tend to rotate player a lot at the younger ages also. Your experience may be different in terms of actual timing, but I don't think we were even doing 30 minute halves at that age.

I would also check with your coach. I have not seen neck fans while running, but we live in cooler weather. I also got the kids the misting fans although the ones I got broke easily so I can't really recommend that brand, and they can't run with them. If it is practice the coach may want to schedule for later in the evening if it cools down or make other accommodations for practices. 

[starburst604]

We also do wet washcloths in the freezer and keep them in a little cooler to drape over the neck and use on the face during breaks. Maybe you meant for the sidelines but I don’t think they’d allow a neck fan on the field since they can’t even wear any jewelry.

[scribellesam]

We have a combo fan/spray bottle that the boys like to keep in their bags for the sidelines. Also we bring a wet washcloth or two in an insulated lunchbox with an ice pack so they stay cold. Our games break at least every ten minutes for water breaks and up to every five minutes on really hot days, players can also raise their hand and any time and be taken off the field for a break.

[hbomdiggity]

A friend was mentioning that the cooling towels do work. She takes multiple in a cooler with ice.

[osulori]

We ran into this issue over the weekend at my 11 year old's game. I think we thought it'd be okay because it was 2 30 minute friendlies, but they were low on subs and my kid needed to take a knee and have coach take him out shortly before the end of the second game. He was fine with some cold drinks and time in the shade, but it definitely scared him a bit. In retrospect-cooling towels and the battery operated fan/mister would have been smart.

[browneyedgirl9]

Using a cooling towel during breaks and a spray bottle helps my boys.

[InBetweenDays]

The cooling towels absolutely work. We just keep them in a cooler filled with ice water. We've had the Frogg Togg brand for years.

[wanderingback]

They allow kids to wear stuff on their neck while playing?? That doesn’t sound like a good idea. Frequent water breaks and cooling towels on the sideline are a good idea.

[blondemoment123]

So far its been only practice, but its insanely hot so they take lots of water breaks.

I'll look into those cooling towels and fans!

[jennistarr1]

cooling towels are awesome...it was my trick up my sleeve during labor

[abs]

We didn’t like cooling towels. They get crunchy and hard quickly. Frozen hand towels works great though along with copious amounts of water.

Tent for players to rest under if there is no shade.

[Deleted]

Definitely the cooling towels. Neck fan is okay on the sidelines (H and I wear them when we watch games!) but I would not feel comfortable with a child wearing one while actively playing.

[blondemoment123]

The cooling towel was great...for me. DS had a sensory meltdown.

[kath16]

please don't have him wearing a neck fan while practicing/playing.

spray bottle of water and cooling towels for breaks. lots of hydration before, during and after (electrolyte replacement afterwards) and he should be just fine for an hour of practice.

[beerlover]

It was so hot at my DS's soccer last night, and his skin gets all red/blotchy when he is so hot and sweaty like that. I felt bad for him, as it did not look comfortable! I like that spray bottle idea kath16, not sure why that didn't occur to me. I will have him bring one tomorrow and look into getting a cooling towel also.