Sauna, Young Children & Heat Regulation
This page explains our approach to children and sauna use, including supervision, comfort, and safety considerations.
These guidelines should be read alongside our What to Expect page and Terms of Use.
Young children regulate body temperature differently from adults. Their bodies heat up more quickly, and they are less able to cool themselves through sweating.
For this reason, high-temperature environments such as saunas require additional care when children are present.
Children and sauna use safety considerations
Children under the age of five have a limited ability to regulate body heat and are at a higher risk of overheating. As a precaution, children under five are not permitted to use the sauna.
For older children, sauna use should always be gentle, brief, and carefully supervised.
Sessions involving children
To reduce risk, the following guidance applies:
- Children under five are not permitted to use the sauna
- Older children should only take short sessions, with frequent breaks
- Lower bench levels should be used to reduce heat exposure
- Children must remain seated and calm while inside the sauna
- Cold water immersion is not recommended for young children
- Cooling down should be gradual, using fresh air or cool (not cold) water
Children must be closely supervised at all times by a parent or guardian. Adults are responsible for monitoring children for signs of overheating or distress, including:
- Flushed or unusually red skin
- Lethargy or tiredness
- Dizziness or confusion
- Nausea
- Irritability or distress
If a child shows any signs of discomfort, they should leave the sauna immediately and cool down gently.
Parental responsibility
Parents and guardians are responsible for deciding whether sauna use is suitable for their child. Sauna Hus staff can provide general guidance, but individual tolerance to heat varies.
If there is any uncertainty, it is best to err on the side of caution and avoid sauna use.
Further guidance
For more detailed information on sauna safety and heat exposure, please read our Safety, Health and Sauna Use guidance.
British Sauna Society guidance
Parents may also wish to consult external health guidance regarding children and heat exposure.