I love the playground.  

Did you know your child needs 60 minutes (or more) of vigorous play each day?   The playground is a great place for that.  I am a mother of boys, so I do also love taking them any place where they can run and climb with minimal collateral destruction. 

For all children, play is work. At the playground, children practice gross motor development as well as social skills, problem-solving, risk-taking. It’s great for developing healthy muscles and bones.  It’s good for their mental health.  And they get a dose of that all important Vitamin D. 

So, what’s my top tips for getting the most health benefit out of your family playground time?

1. Slip. Slap. Slop. Slide. Seek.  Bring that sunscreen and hat.  (Read more on being savvy parent when it comes to sun safety.)

2. Sturdy shoes:  Being barefoot is great — but not so much in the playground for many safety reasons.    Sturdy shoes (runners) are great for climbing.  Cute sandals and crocs aren’t always great for climbing ladders, ropes or rock features. They can also get caught or fall off.

3. Choose weather appropriate clothing your child can really play in:  comfortable clothes that allow free movement. Layers are often necessary.

4. If you are going to snack at the playground (and why wouldn’t you?), get in the habit of bringing a healthy snack from home rather than sugary or processed food or snacks purchased near playground.  Always ask your child to sit down and take a break to take a snack. There a few obvious reasons for this – including that climbing and swinging while eating is potentially a choking hazard.

5. Bring water.  (Your child is doing some serious work out there – just as much as if you were going to the gym!)

6. Read the playground signs for your child.  Many playgrounds have equipment for different ages, and posted guidance about what features are for over 6’s.   A good guide is that if your toddler or pre-schooler needs you to lift them up to get on it, they are likely too small for it.  This can reduce potential injury – or frustration – for your child.

7. Mental Health:  Praise your child’s efforts at problem-solving, taking turns, sharing, being brave,  trying something new or finally making it to the top.

8.  Playgrounds can be healthy for parents as well!  So, be dressed to move, put down your phone, and get active!  (Yesterday, I clocked almost 2km of steps following my 2 boys around a large playground for just under an hour.)

9. Do check the rules of the playground.  Many have posted rules with a goal of helping to keep it healthy for everyone else:  most playgrounds are no smoking areas and do not allow dogs within the fenced area for health reasons.

10. Many playgrounds are near adult exercise equipment areas (usually painted green and yellow).  This equipment is designed for use by over-14s.  This equipment is not designed for children, and there is a risk of injury — and ideally, should be kept free for older teens and adults.