How to stay Covid safe at the playground

With the summer holidays creeping ever closer, chances are you’re starting to plan the activities you’ll be enjoying as a family. After a year of uncertainty and restrictions, it’s no surprise that kids are itching to get back to the playgrounds but as parents, how can you ensure that you’re doing all you can to stay Covid safe?

There’s nothing better than heading to the local park or play area, bags packed and the ride on toys ready to go, so here’s our guide to making your family time – safe and fun. 

10 ways to stay Covid-safe at the playground

1. Always check the current restrictions in place before heading to your park/playground of choice. The NHS Covid-19 app is regularly updated with current restrictions but a quick Google search to make sure your destination isn’t under any strict restrictions is always wise. Similarly, always check to see what is needed to enter the playground. Do you need face masks for inside areas? It’s always worth the double check. 

2. Make sure your little ones (and yourself) are fit and well before heading to the playground. If anyone in the household has any signs of Covid-19, or seems generally unwell, it’s safer to stay home. 

3. Pack your bag with the new post-Covid essentials! This means extra hand wipes, hand sanitizer and face masks. Although you may be confident that your little ones have washed their hands, you don’t know what is lurking on surfaces – especially in a playground. Use your wipes to clean any equipment used by your kids, before and after play. 

4. Ensure that your children wash their hands thoroughly (or use hand sanitiser) before going on any playground equipment, before they eat any snacks and before you set off back home. Children should always be supervised when using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser. 

5. As much as catching up with your neighbours, colleagues and friends is currently fine in an outdoor space, don’t drop your guard. While in the playground, try to maintain a distance between yourselves and be aware of your surroundings at all times. 

6. Remind your little ones not to play any overly physical games with other children in the playground. Although this can be difficult with younger children, it’s important to keep an eye on their play at all times. 

7. Don’t share any water bottles with other families at the playground and avoid using any communal facilities such as water fountains. Bring your own bottled water or purchase if there is a shop or cafe in the area. 

8. Although it goes against many of our parenting guides, remind your kids NOT to share! Ensure that your children only play with their own toys, whether it’s a doll, a quad or a bicycle, you want to limit the amount of contact with these surfaces. 

9. Try to avoid using playgrounds and parks at peak times. Although this is difficult if your little ones are at school or you’re at work during the day, quieter times will make it easier to keep an eye as they play. If you have the space, adding toys such as trampolines to your garden will help burn off some energy if you want to avoid a busy playground!

10. Talk to your children about the dangers of Covid and the reasons why they need to be mindful as they play. This can be difficult with younger children but it’s important that they understand and get used to the changes around them while still keeping the ‘play’ in playground. 

At Outside Play, we offer a wide range of outdoor toys to keep your little ones happy through the summer holidays, and beyond. If you have any questions about any of our outdoor toys, get in touch with the team today.