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In the midst of COVID-19, parents and kids are ready to step out from lockdown and get outside and play. The reopening of playgrounds is a welcome relief after months of learning from home and virtual playdates.
As a result, parents are scrambling to figure out how to safely allow kids to release that pent-up energy and get fresh air and exercise. With COVID-19 numbers still steadily rising in the U.S., families are wondering if parks are open and if it is safe to take their kids to the playground when there still seems to be no end in sight for this global pandemic.
Should we visit the park during COVID-19?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), activities are considered safer if they're held outside rather than inside.
Texas pediatrician Dr. Diana Arnaout offered insight on the safety of visiting the playground in the wake of COVID-19. "Studies show that the virus can live anywhere from five hours to three days on metals, which is worrisome, but the virus degrades pretty quickly on hot surfaces," she wrote in a recent article.
For her family, she says, practicing social distancing is important. If they're able to visit a park that isn't crowded, they'll take advantage of it. If it starts to get crowded, her family agrees to leave that park and find somewhere less busy to visit.
This is sound advice for parents wondering if it's safe to take their kid to the playground. The CDC recommends gathering outdoors, but being outside doesn't guarantee safety; there are risks whenever people congregate in groups. Your best bet is to follow social distancing guidelines, put masks on yourself and your kids, and set boundaries so your kids know that you may have to leave abruptly should the park become crowded.
How to keep your kid safe at the park
If your child is excited about visiting a reopening playground, stay close to home and visit parks that are nearby. Before you leave, contact the parks and recreation department in your area to find out which parks are open and what facilities are available.
Once there, here are some tips for keeping safe:
- Remind your kids to maintain social distancing guidelines.
- Check your city or county's rules regulating playgrounds. Some states have specific capapacity numbers, and Massachusetts even has a provision requiring parents and caregivers to go elsewhere if the park or playground is too crowded. Also look to see if the playground has cleaning and disinfecting schedules.
- Assess the number of people at the playground when you arrive. If it looks like it's too crowded and will be impossible to socially distance, come back at another time or find another park nearby.
- Make sure that you — and all children over the age of two — are wearing age-appropriate masks that fit correctly.
- Ensure they wash their hands often and use sanitizer before, during, and after playing at the park.
- Take caution in public restrooms, avoiding surfaces as much as possible and washing hands thoroughly afterward.
- Bring along disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, your own snacks (no sharing allowed), and napkins or tissues for possibly opening restroom doors.
Ashleigh P is a mom of three. She realized last month that it was too much to ask of her children to keep them away from their neighborhood playground. "It's impossible to keep the kids inside all day long, so we had to visit the playground," she told Mom.com. "We practice social distancing, and I am always loaded up with hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes in my diaper bag these days. I think we're all just doing the best we can right now," she confided.
Parents may be concerned that their children are touching all the surfaces and then putting their hands in their mouths. It's difficult to know exactly what you should do.
"I think if you have wipes, and your child is super focused on a favorite piece of playground equipment, absolutely, wipe away. But I think handwashing at the end of your trip is more important," Dr. Arnaout advised.
How do I find parks that are open near me?
Many parks across the country have reopened with some restrictions. Often restrooms will remain closed or certain areas will be cordoned off and unable to be utilized. Parking lots for many public spaces remain closed, and some allow walking or hiking but prohibit gathering or staying in one place for long periods of time.
Facebook is a great place to stay up-to-date with your state and local park and playground reopening status. The CDC also offers a link to a directory of health departments by state and region. This is a helpful resource to stay up to date on coronavirus cases and closings in your area. Also check your city or county's website for current information.
If your family enjoys hiking and camping, there are some state and national parks that are open during the COVID-19 pandemic.
