Free sun shades for King County child care providers

Published June 10, 2026

Outdoor play is essential to early learning but can be unsafe in high temperatures because young children can’t regulate heat as effectively as adults. Shade supports quality play, increased play time, and learning.

In 2025, King County distributed 107 sun shades to 55 child care sites, providing shade to approximately 485 children in the summer.

Here is what child care providers said:

“The quality of the sun shade and installation kits was excellent, all materials were sturdy, well-packaged, and complete… It provides excellent coverage and a welcoming outdoor space for our program.”

“The shades made a big difference for the children and they’re able to play outside even with the rain, and the quality was really good. Communication and delivery were smooth too.”

“We love them. We were able to stay in the shade and play more outside than inside… children really loved the outdoor play and we do too as teachers.”

Apply for sun shades and water activity tables

Best Starts for Kids is excited to collaborate with Public Health – Seattle & King County and King County’s Department of Natural Resources and Parks to offer free sun shades and water activity tables to family home child cares and family, friend, and neighbor care settings! The deadline to submit a request is June 22, 2026.

Apply for sun shades and water activity tables!

Sun shade providing shade over an outdoor play area — *Outdoor sun shade at a family home child care. Photo provided by Aleyda Chavez Guzman.*

Who is eligible?

To be considered for sun shades and water activity tables, applicants must:

Live or reside in King County
Be a licensed family home child care; or
Family, friend, and neighbor caregiver

We will not be able to fulfill all requests. Priority will be given to sites with the hottest afternoon temperatures in King County and higher ratings in other disparity measures.

Center-based child care sites are NOT eligible. If you received sun shades last year, you are NOT eligible for additional sun shades but can request a water activity table.

Apply for sun shades and water activity tables!