Playground behaviour

[playgrounddramallama]

Wanted opinions on what is acceptable playground behaviour. My partner and I disagree and not sure if we just had strict parents ourselves and replicating that or if it’s really not appropriate.

Things like climbing up a big slide if there’s no one waiting to come down but perhaps other children nearby/climbing the ladder or using the wobble/back and forth equipment really violently/enthusiastically. Part of it feels like it’s not being respectful and part of it feels like you should be able to play in a playground!

Opinions please!

I think climbing a slide providing no one is using it or waiting for it is ok. Mine doesn’t particularly do it but I wouldn’t gasp and clutch my beads if I saw another child doing it.

The other one is less clear, enthusiasm I expect and would encourage - what’s a playground without excitement? But there’s a line. Bouncing gleefully on a wobble board is fine, trying to bend it back until it breaks is not. Excited see sawing = joyful / setting see saw on fire = no thankyou.

I think it’s about intent. If they’re just boisterous and excited then it’s fairly obvious, if they’re manically running about with no regard for the safety of others or the care of the equipment then no, not acceptable.

I think as long as there isn't a child waiting at the top, climbing up the slide is fine.

Up the steps to go down the slide! If we have the playground to ourselves knock yourselves out but otherwise it's a massive pain in the arse, dangerous, and can be intimidating to other kids.

The boisterous part is more subjective and I think depends on exactly what's unfolding in front of you.

What @cheddercherry said in the first reply.

As with most things in life, if it isn't affecting anyone else, then crack on. It it would, then give that some thought.

I really hate it when kids do that, because they never seem to understand when not to do it.

I don't like kids walking up the slide and never let my 2 do it. It's rude as it makes it messy for the next person.

I would make them wait their turn for things and also if someone was nearby (say on the big rope spiderweb climbing frame thing) I'd tell them off for wobbling it.

Climbing up the slide is never OK!

Apart from the dirty shoe thing, how can you possibly teach a tiny person that it's OK if you can get up and back down again before the other tiny person reaches the top of the ladder?

Sometimes a straight rule is the only way to go.

I think I’m going to go with my gut and stick to the firm set of rules. It’s perhaps unrealistic for a 6 year old to understand the nuisance of “okay to climb the slide under these circumstances” so black and white seems better and at least a set of rules I can feel confident I’m consistent with. Just didn’t want to be a total killjoy but seems opinions are divided. Thanks all for the input!

Hate kids climbing up the slide. Makes it's even dirtier for kids coming down the slide and always end up a child getting knocked over as they don't get that they can't climb up the slide only at certain times

Sounds like the park is too stressful for you perhaps stay home.

It is that complicated !
Have you never met a 2 year old?

My rule was always climbing up a slide is fine so long as kids aren't waiting to come down. It's fun to climb up. We've all done it. But if kids are trying to come down then they should be allowed as that's what it's for really.

Blocking people from going through, doing anything that could hurt another child, not OK.

I never allow climbing up the slide. Seen enough kids blocking use for other children to know that most kids don’t follow the “only if it’s empty” rule. Plus dirty shoes.

I couldn't care less about kids climbing up the slide as long as they're not preventing others from coming down.

In play areas I think it's good for children to run around, interact with other children, invent their own games, test their bodies and learn how to deal with others. As long as they're not being mean to other children then they can generally work it out between themselves, with adults keeping an eye to intervene if needed.

Mine climbed up the slide if there was no one waiting to slide down.

My 2.5yo understands that we have to move to let people go down a slide, it's really not a complicated concept for that age.

And if he didn't understand/move, I'd just lift him out of the way if needed, no biggie.

I think all your examples are fine for kids playing in a playground OP as long as they are not inconveniencing or hurting any other children nearby.

That’s really uncalled for and nasty.

Climbing up the slide is a definite no

• if the park is busy/children waiting to come down
• if its wet/muddy and the slide will get messy for other children to slide down on

Otherwise I feel like it's ok

Re 'boisterous' as PP has said, it's about respect/intent. If young children get a bit over excited that's to be expected, but bigger children being full on and trying to danage the equipment, that's not ok

I can assure you most 6 year olds can understand the concept of looking to see if the slide is empty or there is someone waiting to come down it.
It really isn't that complicated.

Thank you!

How helpful.

I do find supervising my 6 year old with his friends at the park stressful when they’re rampaging around but not obviously bothering anyone else. Good on you if you find parenting a breeze but I like to be accountable as a parent and question my rules/boundaries to try to get it right.

I do find supervising my 6 year old with his friends at the park stressful when they’re rampaging around but not obviously bothering anyone else. Good on you if you find parenting a breeze but I like to be accountable as a parent and question my rules/boundaries to try to get it right

I wouldn't worry OP. If they're not bothering anyone else then let them play.

There's always going to be the occasional uptight parent who takes their child to the park but doesn't want them to get mud on them, or sits with a cat bum face because they don't like the game other children are playing within eyesight of their child, or takes their child to the park and then helicopters over them insisting there's one correct way of playing. You can't do anything about them. They exist everywhere.

Most parents are fairly relaxed, take a sensible approach to supervision and wouldn't bat an eye lid if children are playing nicely together in a play area.

I was firmly against children climbing up the slide even when I was a child, because it makes it less slidey

We let ours go up the slide at home but not in the park, that's an easy rule they understand. Some older kids about 6-8 were blocking my 3yo from going down the other day and she vociferously gave out to them.