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Original poster

Play parks

35 replies

Eternia · 03/01/2021 10:41

What do people think about this? They're not closed like last time but I just don't feel comfortable with all the kids mixing on all the equipment, especially if they are potentially spreading this new variant more. My kids are meanwhile screaming for the swings. Are you avoiding parks or taking a considered (low?) risk?

OP posts:
strawbmilk · 03/01/2021 10:48

I have been going to the playpark but last week I took the kids and it was so busy, as busy as a summers day with all the parents standing in big groups so we didn't use the play area and went for a walk instead. There was easily in excess of 200 people in the play area. There's swings, 2 frames and a sand pit so not a huge park.

Before Christmas it had been quieter than normal so we had been using them and washing hand, anti bac etc before and after

I'm not sure what I'll do now

Both my kids are pre school

Sunshinegirl82 · 03/01/2021 10:51

We go to play parks pretty much everyday and have done since they reopened. So far with no ill effects. Personally I don't feel that an outdoor environment is very high risk and the benefits of getting the DC outside for some fresh air and exercise outweigh any risks that are there for me but everyone has to decide what they are comfortable with.

Original poster
Eternia · 03/01/2021 10:51

Yes mine too, it's the only thing to do with them but it just doesn't feel safe

OP posts:
Sarahandduck18 · 03/01/2021 10:55

Swing parks are so low risk in the cold.

Just put gloves on the dcs, sanitise their hands and use wipes on things they are going to touch if you are that worried.

It will do more harm preventing play.

PlantMam · 03/01/2021 11:00

We take hand sanitiser to use in the park and wash hands thoroughly at home. It’s not been very busy though, probably wouldn’t use it if it was.

KitKatastrophe · 03/01/2021 11:18

@Eternia

Yes mine too, it's the only thing to do with them but it just doesn't feel safe
Dont go then, that is your choice
Original poster
Eternia · 03/01/2021 11:25

Thanks for that, really helpful. I'm aware it's a choice, I wanted to see how other people felt as I thought I might be over-worrying.

OP posts:
Dee1975 · 03/01/2021 11:27

We generally avoid them but have been a couple of times if they are quiet. Armed with hand sanitiser and a reminder not to touch face whilst playing.

goteam · 03/01/2021 11:30

We don't if they are busy but have been going. I sanitize her hands afterwards.

goteam · 03/01/2021 11:30

DD's hands that is

OverTheRainbow88 · 03/01/2021 11:31

We go early morning and leave when it gets really busy. So go from about 8.15-10.30.

RedskyAtnight · 03/01/2021 11:42

I think (like anywhere else e.g. supermarkets) I'd be unhappy with using them when they were busy just because of people crowding close together. So would go at a non-busy period or use quiet play areas. (The ones near me never seem to be busy atm).

XmasSkies2020 · 03/01/2021 11:43

We avoid the large parks which are super busy right now and play in the small local ones instead which are empty

TammyTwoSwanson · 03/01/2021 11:44

We go to the play parks at 6am if we go. No one else is there, nor has been for hours and it's kind of an early morning workout/great way to start the day!
I'm shielding so this is really the only way we can go.

XmasSkies2020 · 03/01/2021 11:44

I find the destination play parks are really busy right now

SnuggyBuggy · 03/01/2021 11:47

We go because it's the only thing we've got now.

Original poster
Eternia · 03/01/2021 11:48

An early morning visit is a great idea!

OP posts:
Mummyto3gorgeousgirlies · 03/01/2021 12:16

Personally I'd like to see them shut.

A)It leads to lots of gathering adults not keeping 2 metres apart and
B) I am not taking the risk of letting my kids sharing equipments etc. I'm pretty sure they're all snotty and wiping eyes and noses constantly before you've had a chance to sanitize their hands.
By being open means I don't go to the park for walks as leads to my youngest crying that I won't let her in the playground when so many others are allowed...

Original poster
Eternia · 03/01/2021 12:20

I think you're right @Mummyto3gorgeousgirlies - when they're busy adults are inevitably ending up closer together than they should.

Also, the last time I was there I had a child asking me for help on the equipment etc while his parents were on a bench at the other end of the playground chatting. So you can easily end up interacting with other kids outside your household by touching the equipment or not.

This has been really useful, thanks. I'm going to limit the parks to very early morning visits and if they're busy I won't even do that.

OP posts:
prettygreenteacup · 03/01/2021 12:22

We avoid if busy, also go early morning for the fresh air, and we sanitise hands immediately after and all wash hands with soap and warm water when we get home

Oneweekleft · 03/01/2021 13:16

I've got three kids and we've been going regularly to play parks even to busy ones. The week before we went into tier 4 we even went to soft play. My toddler is the only one who's had as much as a cold from all of that. The rest of us have been fine the whole holiday. We didn't have a flu jab either. It could be that we had covid last March (that's one time I felt unwell ) and have some immunity. Do whats right for you but we get alot of enjoyment out of going outside and seeing other kids. Unless your vulnerable I wouldn't worry. You can always hand sanitise after.

Sitt · 03/01/2021 13:21

I had to avoid them when they were closed because my toddler cried to go in. Makes little difference in that respect. It’s also nice to see other children outdoors enjoying themselves and getting fresh air. We will use it as long as it’s open, but the ones in my village are not very busy, and I don’t see it as a very high risk. I wouldn’t go to a very busy playground in normal times - I’m not keen on crowds even without covid

DirtyDancing · 03/01/2021 14:06

@OverTheRainbow88

We go early morning and leave when it gets really busy. So go from about 8.15-10.30.
This! Take loads of handwash etc then we have hot choc and croissants on a bench before we leave any everyone arrives!
Katjolo · 03/01/2021 14:10

We go if the playground is not too busy and regularly anti bac.

Smurf123 · 03/01/2021 14:23

We went on new years day for the first time since summer because they have gotten so busy.. Happy to go in new years day as it was early morning, cold and frosty and no one there and armed with hand sanitiser.. Unfortunately it won't be a regular occurrence here yet and generally they are too busy and I think the risks are too high. Have been known to go in the rain in full waterproofs. Ds loves the rain anyway

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