Age limits at playgrounds

0 votes

Most of the playgrounds near where we live give an age range for kids to play there (e.g. 5-12 or under 6).  We try to stick fairly close to the age range posted or use parks that are "too young" or "too old" for our kids when there are few or no kids there.  And if we do this, we make sure our too-old kids aren't playing near young kids or our too-young kids aren't getting in the way of the older kids.  Other people just let their kids play at whatever park regardless of the posted age, so two 11-year olds playing football at a park for 3 and under or having a toddler in a park for 5-12.  Then I get annoyed when my 2-year old gets tripped over by a running 11 year old or my 7 year old gets told to get off the swing because a parent doesn't want to keep his toddler from running in front of him.

How closely do you think people should stick to the posted ages?  Do you think it doesn't matter because all kids need a chance to play and sometimes the best you can do is take them to a park that is close by?  Is this more a being consideratation thing than an age thing?  Do you think I should say something to people who are or could be harming my kids?  What?  In the swing incident I said that the swing was my child's favorite thing and maybe the father should make sure his kid didn't run in front of it or he could take him to the little kid playground that was 30 feet away.  The father was pissed.  Was I totally out of line?

 

Anonymous

Apr 26, 2010

1 Answers

  • 1 votes

    Personally, I find the posted age limits way too conservative for my children.  Our local park has a play structure with  minimum posted age of something like 4 years, and yet I've been bringing my children there since they were able to crawl.  

    I'm actually okay (and somewhat enjoy) a great mix of ages at the playground, but what I don't like is inappropriate behavior.  Usually things go pretty well, but every once in a while there will be something that just doesn't seem right.  One time there was a group of young teenagers that were hanging out on the play structure and generally blocking access for the rest of the kids.  I politely asked them if they could go hang out somewhere else and they begrudgingly ablidged. 

    Another time that I've been more stymied by is when a gang of about 5 ten year old boys arrives with their plastic light sabers in hand.  They generally play rough, and aren't considerate of the other kids around.  Again, I've told them to go play somewhere else.

    I have disciplined other people's children on the playground a couple of times, but it's more strong words than a scolding.  I once told two older girls to stop putting sand and water on the slide, and that they needed to clean it up so the other kids could play.  They were okay with it, and their parents were oblivious to what was going on. 

    I've not yet had a time where I've been confronted by another parent, but I'm sure it's bound to happen.  :) 
    Steve Lacy

    "Daddy do it!"
    Silicon Valley

    Apr 26, 2010



Log in to answer this question.