Playground Fun

As local playgrounds are starting to open up, it is important for families to be prepared to ensure safety and fun for everyone.  While there are many social and health benefits for our children, there are several protective measures we need to be mindful of to protect ourselves and our community.

  • Keep children at home if they show any cold and flu symptoms, such as coughing, fever or running nose.
  • Check to make sure the facilities are open, such as the playground and restroom facilities.
  • Talk to children about rules and expectations in the playground prior to arrival, such as avoid touching their face, avoid sharing toys or snacks on the playground, and avoid direct contact with other children in the playground.
  • If the playground is very busy, find alternative activities to do and go back at another time when the playground is less busy.
  • Upon arrival, quickly check around the playground, making sure there are no broken equipment or dangerous objects such as broken glass.
  • Avoid sun related injuries by regularly applying sunscreen, wearing hat and sunglasses, and avoid playing during peak hours of the sun ray.
  • Remember to always bring your own water bottle, healthy snacks, sunscreen, sanitizing wipes, tissues, extra sets of changing clothes, diapers, and first aid kit.
  • For everyone’s safety, practice social distancing, put away cellphones or other distractions, and focus on supervising the children.
  • Besides playground equipment, have a picnic by the playground, fly kites, play with rocks and sticks, kick balls, or blow bubbles, and so much more.

With a little of preparation, playground etiquette, patience and respect for everyone, playgrounds are great ways to spend time with children.