Play parks

[Eternia]

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?

We go loads, even when it's busy. I'm happy that the very minimal risk of outside transmission is outweighed by the significant benefits of the fresh air, exercise and socialisation that my 3 children get. We're in Manchester, feels like we've been restricted forever, they've not been to a soft play, museum, library or cinema since February. They need something to enjoy.

God I miss taking them to museums and libraries. I’m in an area that wasn’t heavily restricted over the summer but the “covid safe” measures were very difficult with small ones so I just didn’t bother

We're going to play parks every day, we have loads nearby so trying out different ones to maintain variety and interest. Children need play equipment for healthy development. Going for walks doesn't stimulate the same muscle groups or vestibular system. We usually arrive around 10am as that suits DD's routine, and they are usually quiet, but if they are busy it doesn't put me off. DD is a toddler and doesn't interact much with other kids (she's more interested in trying out all the different play apparatus), and I'm not meeting up with anyone so I don't mingle with other parents, it's easy to socially distance even if nobody else is.

The ones around me are dead. On Wednesday we went from 11am-2.30pm to one of the bigger parks in the village and we were the only people there apart from the last 15 minutes.

@OverTheRainbow88

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

We've been doing the opposite and going from 3-4, mostly because it suits us/DS rather than to avoid crowds, but it is much quieter then than in the late morning 'peak'.

It is noticeably busier than it would normally be in the middle of winter, but if course it is, there is absolutely nothing else to do!

Took my son when the park was empty. He licked the rail going up the slide stairs. I promptly removed him, sloshed hand sanitizer all over the railing, and never went back. Spent 14 days hoping he'd not caught anything.

I avoid parks now, but it's mainly to protect others from my licky child....

I take my kids all the time. Libraries are shut, soft play is shut, playgroups are shut. It's the one thing that gets them excited to leave the house in winter. The benefits far outweigh the tiny risk.

If they close playgrounds I will go fucking insane!!!

The risk to my 3 yr olds health is non existent - if you have elderly vulnerable people in your family then it’s up to you to steer clear, I’m confident my child will be fine.

Fyi lunch times are also very quiet, esp the toddler parks.

Not going atm as it's cold as fuck but when its warmer I'll go around 12pm when few children are there