10 Practical Playground Tips for Parents

You did it! You survived the toddler years, and now your kid is old enough to socialize with other kids at the park. Congrats, mom and dad! However, just because your little one is ready for playdates doesn't mean you're off the hook entirely.

We'll share some practical playground tips for parents to help keep you safe and sane while your kid plays in the sandbox or swings on that swing set.

Tips for Ensuring a Successful Playdate at the Park

Before meeting up with friends and family for a playdate, you must do some essential things to ensure a successful time at your local playground

1. Choose a Suitable Playground

Not all playgrounds are the same. When selecting a playground for your child's playdate, opt for a playground with age-appropriate equipment for them and their friends. Try to find a playground with both toddler-friendly and older kid-friendly equipment. That way, everyone can have fun, and no one feels left out.

2. Pack Snacks and Drinks

When managing young children, hunger is your number one enemy. Pack plenty of snacks and drinks for everyone— including yourself! We recommend packing some easy-to-eat finger foods like grapes, string cheese, crackers and some heartier options like sandwiches or fruit cups. And don't forget the drinks! Water is always a good choice, but juice boxes or pre-packaged iced coffees can be excellent refreshments on hot days.

3. Apply Sunscreen—Repeatedly

This one should go without saying, but we'll say it anyway: apply sunscreen to everyone before heading to the park— and reapply it frequently! Depending on how long you're planning to stay at the park, you may need to reapply sunscreen every few hours—more often if your kids take a dip in the water fountain or play in the sprinklers.

4. Have an Exit Strategy—or Two (Or Three)

Let's face it, sometimes things don't go as planned—especially when young kids are involved. It's always a good idea to have an exit strategy in mind if things start going south (i.e., someone gets hurt or isn't sharing). However, it's also important to be flexible and have backup plans for your backup plans! After all, with kids, anything can happen...and usually does.

5. Relax and Have Fun!

Perhaps most importantly, don't forget to relax and have fun yourself! Playdates can be exhausting, but they can also be a lot of fun. So take a deep breath, enjoy watching your kiddo interact with their friends, and savor this special time in their lives—it'll be over before you know it!

Playground Safety Rules to Keep Everyone Safe

The primary purpose of a playground is to provide a fun place where kids can run around and play safely. But unfortunately, playground accidents are common among young children. In fact, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (USPSC), ERs treat more than 200,000 playground-related injuries annually.

Clearly, playground safety is a concern. But the good news is that many of these severe injuries are preventable if you take some simple precautions and follow these standard playground rules.

Make Sure Kids Understand How to Play Safely

If your child wants to climb onto something like the monkey bars or slide, ensure they know how to do it safely. Teach your child how to use the playground equipment correctly and what to look out for. For example, teach them never to stand directly under a moving swing set or slide. Instead, tell your child to sit on the ground and wait until the swing stops before getting up.

Teach them how to balance on slides and teeter-totters. You can even instruct them how to ride a bike or scooter. Make sure they always wear helmets while riding bikes, scooters, skateboards, roller skates, inline skates, and snowboarders.

When your child is playing near other people, follow basic playground etiquette. This includes teaching your child to avoid running into others or getting hit by objects such as balls or sticks.

Also, ensure your child understands what to do in a dangerous situation. For example, if they notice someone else getting hurt, they should tell an adult immediately.

7. Supervise Your Child but Don't Hover

But even if you've taught your child the playground safety rules, it's still important to have adult supervision around when they're playing. Accidents can happen quickly, and you'll want to be there to ensure your child is safe. Look for potential hazards like slippery surfaces around playground equipment like sand, grass, and gravel, as they can cause falls. Your child should know which areas are off-limits and which games are age-appropriate.

Also, encourage them not to play alone. If there are other children nearby, nudge your child to join them. And if they start to get too wild, remind them of the playground safety rules. With your active supervision, they'll be able to play safely and have a great time.

Hovering is great because it gives you a better view of what's happening without being directly involved. However, constant supervision can make children nervous and cause them to become anxious. Hovering also makes it difficult for children to interact with each other - so give them s p a c e!

8. Make Sure Your Child Dresses Appropriately

Style aside, children should wear clothes that keep them safe if they fall down or hit something. Avoid loose clothes that could snag on playground equipment, tree branches, or fences.

Make sure your kids wear proper footwear when they go to playgrounds. They should wear shoes that fit correctly and provide adequate support. If your child walks barefoot, ensure their feet aren't cold or wet. Also, don't let your child wear flip-flops or sandals because that footwear doesn't offer much protection against any playground injury.

9. Avoid “Stranger Danger” by Teaching Your Kids a Password

It's every parent's worst nightmare: your child is playing at the park when a stranger approaches and tries to lure them away. When teaching your child about "stranger danger," it is also essential to empower them with the tools they need to stay safe.

One way to do this is by teaching them a password. If a stranger comes up to them and says the wrong password, they'll know not to go with them. Of course, you'll also want to choose a memorable password but not too easy to guess, like using a childhood memory or an inside joke. That way, it will be easy for your child to remember but difficult for a stranger to guess. And if you're ever in doubt, ask your child what the password is. It's a simple but effective way to help keep them safe.

10. Speak Up if Another Kid Pushes or Hits

It can be tough to know what to do when you see your child getting pushed or hit by another kid on the playground. But it's essential to speak up and take action. Here are a few tips on how to handle the situation:

Talk to your child about what happened. They must understand what happened and why it's not okay.
Also, talk to the offending child's parents. This is an excellent opportunity to teach your child about handling conflict calmly and respectfully.
Finally, don't hesitate to get help from the authorities if your child is in danger. Our responsibility as adults is to enforce proper playground etiquette on public playgrounds so that all children can feel secure there.

These simple playground safety tips can help ensure that everyone has a great time without significant mishaps. So round up some of your child's friends and head to the nearest playground for some good old-fashioned fun!