How Cold Is Too Cold For Illinois Kids To Play Outside?

Sure, you walked to school 5 miles, uphill, in the snow.

For most of us, as adults, snow kills any sense of productivity we have. I would be totally content to sit on the couch with hot chocolate and binge watch Netflix all day.

But kiddos have a bunch of energy that they need to get out of their systems. That's why recess exists. And when you're a kid, it's fun to play out in snow and in a cold snap like this, you don't care about the cold as long as you're having fun. (That phrase also applies to intoxicated adults)

The littles are more at risk for frostbite than the adults are, according to pediatricians, but they need an hour of "daily exercise" (so running amok until they wear themselves out).

According to ETSU and the CDC, kids should not play outside in weather under 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Which is now.

Cleveland Clinic says kids outside for just 10 minutes in temperatures below freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit) need to be checked on for frostbite. They run a risk of frostbite in 30 minutes or less when the wind chill is below 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

Here's the good news: it is going to warm up to almost 50 next week, according to our friends at KWQC, so the kiddos won't have to play inside for too much longer.

Yes, indoor playtime with the littles may be getting old but they need to stay at least somewhat warm too. Hopefully we won't have any more cold snaps this winter.