8 Outdoor Play Safety Tips for Kids

With the sun shining and the weather warming up, it’s time to get out and play! Outdoor play is a great time for children to try new things, but it may come with some safety challenges. Making sure children stay safe while playing outside just takes a few extra steps! Here are 8 outdoor play safety tips to follow while children play in nature.

1. Make sure an adult is always supervising. Always keep an eye on them, and when appropriate, be by their side. This is especially important to ensure outdoor play safety if children are playing around water. If children are playing on a structure like a playground, show them how to safely use the equipment before they play, or test out the equipment yourself.
2. Teach children to never run out into the street or driveway. Many children play in their backyard, which means a neighborhood street is not too far away. Show children if a ball or object goes into the street, they need to stay in the yard and get an adult to help them, even if they don’t see any cars around.
3. If it’s raining or you hear thunder, come inside. While playing outside during a light shower may be fun, lightning, hail, or other dangerous weather can come suddenly. It’s best for everyone to go inside during a storm.
4. Make sure children wear proper safety equipment. Children should always have a helmet for bike riding, skateboarding, or any other activity that is on a hard surface. They should follow water safety rules when swimming. Follow any other safety equipment recommendations for whatever activity you may be doing, even if you’re just playing at home.
5. Keep children protected from the sun. Who doesn’t love a little sunshine? We all love soaking up some sun, but being careful in the sun is an important part of outdoor play safety. Follow these sun safety tips to make sure they stay safe under the sun’s powerful rays.
6. Make sure children stay hydrated and take breaks. Hydration for kids and adults is so important when playing outdoors! Running around on a hot, sunny day can exhaust our bodies quickly. Make sure children take breaks on warm days and drink lots of water.
7. Avoid touching unfamiliar plants/items or tasting anything. If you encounter unfamiliar plants or objects, it’s best to avoid it until you learn more about it! You can even make it a fun project to try to figure out what it is by researching it online.
8. Show children how to safely interact with others. Even if children are playing at home, it’s important that they know what to do if they are approached by a stranger.

Follow these outdoor play safety tips to enjoy the great outdoors with your little one!

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