Last updated: November 7, 2026
Outside Years shares research-based information to help families plan time outdoors with children. Please read this page before relying on any article, checklist, calculator or other tool on outsideyears.com. Using the Site means you accept this disclaimer and our Terms of Use.
Not medical or professional advice
Our content is for general information only. It is not medical advice, does not replace the judgment of a pediatrician or other qualified professional, and is not reviewed by doctors or safety experts. We are not medical professionals. Always ask your pediatrician about your child’s specific health needs, including how your child handles cold, heat, altitude, exertion, sun exposure and sleep.
In an emergency
If you think a child may be in danger, for example with signs of hypothermia, heat stroke, a serious injury or trouble breathing, call 911 (in the United States) or your local emergency number right away. Do not rely on the Site or any tool in an emergency.
Tools give starting points, not verdicts
Our calculators turn the details you enter into general suggestions using simplified rules that we explain on each tool’s page. Some of those rules, such as temperature ranges for clothing, are our own editorial guides rather than official standards. Results can be incomplete or wrong for your situation and never confirm that an activity, outfit, product or plan is safe. Watch your child, adjust as conditions change, and turn back or go inside whenever you have doubts.
Gear and products
We do not make, sell, inspect or certify any product. Unless we say otherwise, we have not tested the products we mention; our picks are based on manufacturer specifications, sizing charts, published safety standards and verified owner feedback. Follow each manufacturer’s instructions, size charts, weight limits and age guidance, especially for child carriers, sleeping bags and anything used by babies and toddlers. Product listings, specifications and recall status can change after we publish, so check the current listing and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall database at cpsc.gov before you buy or use a product.
Outdoor activities carry risk
Hiking, camping, snow play, water activities and other outdoor activities involve inherent risks that no article or tool can remove. Conditions differ by place and change quickly. Check official forecasts and alerts from the National Weather Service, follow the rules of parks and land managers, and make your own decisions about whether, where and how long to go out. You are responsible for supervising any child in your care.
Accuracy
We cite our sources and try to keep information accurate and current, but guidance from health and safety organizations changes, and mistakes can happen. If you spot an error, please tell us through our Contact page so we can correct it.