Playground Safety for Your Toddler

Toddlers need space and sometimes, they need socializing with other toddlers. The playground at the park is a perfect place to let your little one socialize, explore, and have a good time. But have you noticed different parks have different playground rules. Some rules state 2 and above, others 2-5, and larger ones for 5 and older.

Where are the playgrounds for under 2?  In my search, I  have gone to several playgrounds in the city I live as well as neighboring cities and none of them state they are designed for little ones under 2.

Are they not suppose to play at the park? So if I am a taxpayer and I have a child under 2, what am I suppose to do? So here are a few tips that I am sure most parents have done, but I thought just in case. I could provide them.

1. Read the playground rules if they are posted.  Check for the age of the playgrounds.

The newer parks will usually have them in front.

2. Check out the parts of the playground visually  before allowing your little one to explore.

There might be openings that are not safe for your little one and they could fall through or is just not ready for.

3. Check the playground out as a parent.  I, personally, enjoy this part of being a parent because many of the new playgrounds have so much more than the ones in my day in the mid 70’s and

80’s. I had rocket ships, slides, swings, bridges, pirate ships, monkey bars, and merry-go-rounds.

Today, there are cool plastic twisting slides, tunnels, more climbing apparatuses, games on the playground sets, rock climbing walls, three slides in one and I make sure I test all of them out.  You should know if your child will be able to stop at the end or will they fall off and hit the bottom of the slide.

Note: if you are not physically able to go on these playgrounds, then don’t. See if another kid can or just watch to see how others do it.

4. Don’t get distracted with other parents in dialogue.

5 Plan play dates with other moms who can help you watch your little one.

6. Try to keep your kids with other kids their age, sometimes older kids run through

the playground without paying attention to the little ones and could accidentally run into them going down the slide. I find that older kids always want to climb back up the slide the wrong way.

7. Watch out for trash, your child may want to pick up and try to eat.

8. Follow your little one around and help them learn how each part of the playground works.