Playground Safety for Children

Playgrounds are wonderful places for children to develop physical skills, socialize, and burn energy. But they're also where many childhood injuries occur. Each year, emergency rooms treat over 200,000 playground-related injuries in children. Most are preventable with proper supervision, age-appropriate equipment, and safety awareness.

Common Playground Injuries AAP

Understanding what causes injuries helps prevent them.

Most common injuries:

• Falls (most frequent cause)
• Getting hit by or running into equipment
• Getting caught between equipment parts
• Cuts and scrapes
• Head injuries

Body parts most affected:

• Arms and hands (often fractures)
• Head and face
• Legs and feet

Equipment involved:

• Climbing equipment (most injuries)
• Swings
• Slides
• Monkey bars
• Trampolines (at home, not typically on public playgrounds)

Choosing a Safe Playground CPSC

Not all playgrounds are equally safe. Look for these features.

Safe surfaces:

• Rubber tiles or mats
• Wood chips or mulch (at least 9 inches deep)
• Pea gravel
• Sand
• NOT safe: concrete, asphalt, packed dirt, grass

Equipment condition:

• No broken, missing, or loose parts
• No rust or sharp edges
• No exposed bolts or hardware
• No spaces that could trap heads or fingers
• Equipment securely anchored

Age-appropriate design:

• Separate play areas for different ages (2-5 and 5-12)
• Equipment scaled for intended age group
• Signage indicating appropriate ages

Layout and visibility:

• Good sight lines for parents
• Clear traffic patterns
• Adequate spacing between equipment

Age-Appropriate Play Safe Kids

Equipment designed for older children can be dangerous for younger ones.

For children 2-5:

• Low platforms (under 4 feet)
• Slides with sides and slow speed
• Spring rockers
• Simple climbing with enclosed barriers
• Bucket swings

For children 5-12:

• Higher platforms (up to 7 feet)
• Spiral and tube slides
• Climbing walls and structures
• Belt swings
• Overhead equipment (bars, rings)

What to avoid:

• Don't let young children use equipment for older kids
• Don't use equipment that doesn't fit child's abilities
• Be cautious with unfamiliar equipment

Supervision Essentials AAP

Active supervision prevents most playground injuries.

What good supervision looks like:

• Stay close enough to help if needed
• Keep eyes on your child
• Know where child is at all times
• Be ready to intervene

At different ages:

• Toddlers: Within arm's reach
• Preschoolers: Close proximity, direct observation
• School-age: Can give more space but still watch
• No child should be at playground completely unsupervised

Common supervision lapses:

• Phone distraction
• Talking with other parents
• Assuming child is fine because they've played there before
• Thinking another parent is watching

Playground Rules to Teach

Basic rules for all ages:

• Wait your turn
• One person at a time on slides
• Go down slides feet first
• Hold on with both hands on climbing equipment
• Sit down on swings (not standing or kneeling)
• Stay clear of swings in motion
• No pushing or rough play
• Tell adult if someone is hurt

Equipment-specific rules:

Slides:

• Go down feet first, sitting up
• Don't climb up the slide
• Wait until previous person is off before going
• Check slide isn't too hot in summer

Swings:

• Sit in center of seat
• Hold on with both hands
• Don't twist chains
• Wait until swing stops to get off
• Walk around, not in front of, moving swings

Climbing equipment:

• Both hands on rungs
• Only one person per rung
• Don't skip rungs
• Go when space is clear
• Climb down if getting tired

Weather and Environmental Hazards

Hot weather:

• Metal slides and equipment can cause burns
• Test equipment with your hand first
• Play in morning or evening when cooler
• Ensure child stays hydrated

Wet conditions:

• Surfaces become slippery when wet
• Wait for equipment to dry after rain
• Be extra cautious with climbing

Sun protection:

• Apply sunscreen before playground
• Seek shaded play areas
• Take breaks in shade
• Ensure child wears hat if sunny

Clothing and Accessories Safe Kids

Safe clothing for playgrounds:

• No drawstrings (strangulation hazard)
• No loose scarves or necklaces
• Close-toed shoes with good grip
• Remove helmets (only for bikes, not playgrounds)

Things to remove before playing:

• Bike helmets (can get caught)
• Drawstring jackets
• Jewelry that might catch
• Backpacks

Equipment Safety Checks

Before playing, check for:

• Hot surfaces in summer
• Standing water or ice
• Broken glass or debris
• Animal droppings
• Missing or damaged equipment
• Rusty or sharp edges

Report hazards:

• Notify park management
• Don't let children play on damaged equipment
• Find a safer playground if needed

Falls and How to Minimize Them

Falls are the leading cause of playground injury.

Teaching fall safety:

• Land on feet with knees bent
• Use hands to catch self
• Stay in control on equipment
• Know limits

Reducing fall severity:

• Ensure proper surfacing beneath equipment
• Surface should extend 6 feet in all directions
• More for swings (front and back)
• Check surfacing depth is adequate

When Injuries Happen

For minor injuries:

• Clean cuts and scrapes
• Apply bandage if needed
• Ice for bumps
• Comfort child
• Continue playing if child is ready

Seek medical attention for:

• Falls from significant height
• Loss of consciousness
• Severe pain
• Deformity of limbs
• Cuts that may need stitches
• Head injuries with any concerning symptoms

Head injury warning signs:

• Loss of consciousness (even brief)
• Vomiting
• Unusual drowsiness
• Confusion
• Unequal pupils
• Worsening headache

Home Playground Equipment

If you have equipment at home:

• Follow all assembly instructions
• Ensure proper surfacing
• Regular safety inspections
• Age-appropriate equipment only
• Supervise children using it

Trampolines (special concerns):

• AAP recommends against recreational trampolines
• If you have one: one child at a time, enclosure net, adult supervision
• Many injuries from trampolines each year

The Bottom Line

Playground safety requires choosing appropriate playgrounds with good surfaces and maintained equipment, active supervision, teaching and enforcing safety rules, and dressing children appropriately. Most playground injuries are preventable. Stay engaged while your child plays, and don't hesitate to speak up about unsafe conditions.

Clara is here to help you keep playground time safe and fun!