Hot Tub Safety for Kids

Family hot tub nights can be some of the best bonding time you get — but kids run hotter than adults do, literally. Here's how to keep it safe.

What age can kids start using a hot tub?

Not until age 5, and only once they can stand on the bottom with their head fully above water. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against hot tub use for kids under 5 — their bodies overheat faster and their skin is more sensitive to heat than an adult's.

What's a safe hot tub temperature for kids over 5?

It depends on how long they're staying in:

• 104°F: Keep it under 5 minutes.
• 98-102°F: Kids can soak up to 15 minutes at a time.

Turning the heat down before family soak time is the easiest way to extend how long everyone can enjoy it together.

How can I keep kids from overheating in the tub?

Have them sit somewhere only partially immersed — waist or shoulder height instead of neck-deep. Water up to the neck raises a child's core temperature much faster than water below it, so partial immersion buys them more time before they overheat.

Keep them hydrated too. Water, juice boxes, or pouches during and after the soak help offset the heat.

Do I still need to supervise kids in the hot tub?

Always, no exceptions. Even with the temperature and time limits above, an adult should be present and paying attention the entire time kids are in or near the water.

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