As soon as your baby is old enough to realize that there is more to the world than the 4 walls of his home, it is very likely that he or she will make it clean to you that outside is where they want to be. Toddlers especially enjoy spending time outside on a nice day. Whether you are choosing playground equipment for your own yard or visiting a local park, there are safety issues to consider so that your time outside can be relaxing and fun for both you and your baby.
Surface Covering – With infants and toddlers, playground surface covering is very important. The best choice, although a fairly expensive one, is solid foam surfacing. This material does not contain small pieces for infants and toddler to put in their mouth but it still provides cushioning as they play. This is costly for a home playground, however. In order to prep the ground to instant solid foam surfacing it must be completely level and have a cement base applied. The foam surfacing must then be installed and glued to the cement base.
Wood Chips are another great choice for playground surfacing. This is much cheaper and easier to install than foam surfacing, but it does have small pieces that infants and toddlers may be tempted to put in their mouth. They are easy to install and provide a lot of cushioning for active toddlers. It can be difficult for newly walking infants or toddler to get around on the woodchips at first, but once they figure it out it is great for strengthening their muscles and getting them used to walking on uneven surfaces.
Playground Equipment – The playground equipment itself should be developmentally appropriate for your infant or toddler. If you are purchasing your own equipment, make sure that your toddler does not have access to areas that may be too difficult for them. Little Tykes Playground equipment is wonderful for infants and toddlers.
If you are visiting a public park, make sure that your infant or toddler does not have access to any open areas that they could fall through. If the playground has stairs, the area is easily accessible to your toddler and you should monitor that area closely.
Safely Contained Area – Whether you are in a public park or in your own backyard, you will want to be sure that the immediate area your infant or toddler is playing in is safely contained. A fence is the best option for this but if that is not an option you can simply make sure that your infant or toddler does not have access to creeks or streams, drop offs, or busy roads. Be aware of problem areas so that you can prevent accidents before they happen.
Surface Covering – With infants and toddlers, playground surface covering is very important. The best choice, although a fairly expensive one, is solid foam surfacing. This material does not contain small pieces for infants and toddler to put in their mouth but it still provides cushioning as they play. This is costly for a home playground, however. In order to prep the ground to instant solid foam surfacing it must be completely level and have a cement base applied. The foam surfacing must then be installed and glued to the cement base.
Wood Chips are another great choice for playground surfacing. This is much cheaper and easier to install than foam surfacing, but it does have small pieces that infants and toddlers may be tempted to put in their mouth. They are easy to install and provide a lot of cushioning for active toddlers. It can be difficult for newly walking infants or toddler to get around on the woodchips at first, but once they figure it out it is great for strengthening their muscles and getting them used to walking on uneven surfaces.
Playground Equipment – The playground equipment itself should be developmentally appropriate for your infant or toddler. If you are purchasing your own equipment, make sure that your toddler does not have access to areas that may be too difficult for them. Little Tykes Playground equipment is wonderful for infants and toddlers.
If you are visiting a public park, make sure that your infant or toddler does not have access to any open areas that they could fall through. If the playground has stairs, the area is easily accessible to your toddler and you should monitor that area closely.
Safely Contained Area – Whether you are in a public park or in your own backyard, you will want to be sure that the immediate area your infant or toddler is playing in is safely contained. A fence is the best option for this but if that is not an option you can simply make sure that your infant or toddler does not have access to creeks or streams, drop offs, or busy roads. Be aware of problem areas so that you can prevent accidents before they happen.
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