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Kid Safe Games

Children love to play, but sometimes they don't make smart choices in the games they play. Parents and caregivers can assist kids in playing safely by finding safe games or by amending rules of established games to prevent possible injuries. The trick is trying to foresee possible dangers, which means that parents and caregivers must tap into their inner child and imagine what might fascinate children while remaining a grown up where safety is concerned.

Bug Hunt
- Bugs crawl and creep and fly and are often a source of wonder for children and adults alike. Best Preschool Games suggests organizing a bug hunt in the neighborhood. The game can be freestyle where everyone finds whatever insects they can, or a list of bugs can be compiled with contestants checking off each variety as it is discovered. For those contestants who are too young to read, provide photos of the insects. The complexity of the hunt can be matched to the abilities of the players with toddlers searching for ants, potato bugs and daddy long-legs, and older children searching for daring jumping spiders and locusts.
  
  In addition to crawling, creeping and flying, though, bugs also sometimes bite and sting. In order to avoid injury, first find out if any children are allergic to any insects. If there are serious allergies, determine if the child knows how to identify the insect and knows to avoid it. Also, educate all players to avoid stinging and biting insects by providing photos of what not to touch. Lastly, clearly define the space where the bug hunt must take place. That way kids won't wander off risking injury.
Batty Bowling
- Disney Family suggests a fun outdoor kids' game that is a variation of the standard bowling game. Provide the kids with various unimportant and inexpensive household items, to function as bowling pins. Ideally the items should be taller than they are wide and should be relatively light weight. Have children set up items in a triangular shape and give them tennis balls or volleyballs with which to bowl. The fun of the game is enhanced by the silliness of the pseudo-bowling pins. Kids will have great fun bowling over a plastic vase with flowers in it, a (clean) toilet brush and holder, and a bunch of celery gently pressed into the ground. In order to prevent injury, caregivers need to institute two rules: 1) The ball stays on the ground -- no overhand throwing, and 2) Nobody bowls until all the children are behind the start line.
Water Limbo
- Although a pool can be dangerous if close supervision is not provided, water play in itself is a safe and fun way for kids to entertain themselves. Family Education suggests Water Limbo. The game is relatively simple with one child holding the hose and letting the water flow in a horizontal stream. The rest of the kids must get under the stream by bending backward while walking forward. Game play begins with water at about head level and with each successive round of play the stream of water lowers. Make sure that the kids play in the yard and not on the driveway or sidewalk as a slip on the concrete could result in serious injury.

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