Playgrounds help children get outside to enjoy the fresh air and the sun. Playing outside is a great way to get children to exercise and to socialize, but there’s a pretty big danger for anyone who looks up — the sun.
Being outside in the sun can help children get vitamin D, which is beneficial to their health. Unfortunately, sun damage and sun burns can easily occur. When children play on the playground, especially, they can easily lose track of the time and get a significant sunburn.
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Sun safety for children on the playground needs to focus on a few specific areas:
A sunburn is actually a natural defense mechanism created by the body to protect us from dangerous ultraviolet (UV) sun rays. The defense mechanism the body uses to defend against these rays is a pigment called melanin to absorb UV rays.
When the defense process is overwhelmed, a sunburn results from a toxic reaction. Sunburns can be painful and can increase the likelihood of cancer later on in life. A severe sunburn can even cause blisters, peeling and flu-like symptoms.
Playground equipment, especially in darker colors, can become heated from the sun and high outdoor temperatures and potentially cause severe injuries to children, including 2nd-degree burns. In addition to paying attention to the potential for sunburn, parents, teachers and other guardians need to be aware of the surface temperature of playground equipment.
IPEMA, the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Associations, states that plastic slides insulate better and do not conduct as much heat as bare metal slides. However, even plastic slides can become too warm in direct sunlight or extreme temperatures. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), plastic can become too warm for comfort or safety with outdoor temperatures as low as 74 degrees Fahrenheit.
Heat-related illness occurs when the body becomes dehydrated or over-heated. Heat-related conditions such as heat exhaustion can result in dizziness, nausea, poor coordination and other serious symptoms. In some cases, if left untreated, heat-related dangers can become life-threatening. In most cases, these conditions occur because the body’s natural way of dealing with heat (sweating) is not enough. As a result, heat rash, heat exhaustion, heat cramps or heatstroke in children can occur.
Staying hydrated and taking in enough electrolytes can help. Electrolytes are tiny particles that conduct an electric current to facilitate the proper functioning of muscles, fluid balance and other vital systems. Proper hydration with water can replenish moisture depleted in heat through sweating. Snacks rich in calcium, potassium, sodium and chloride can help maintain electrolyte balance, which can also be affected by sweating. Orange juice and healthy snacks in combination with water can address these needs.
Shade is also important, since it can prevent excessive heat. For children, shaded playgrounds are an important option, since children like running around in the heat and may not know they need to take things easier to avoid heat-related illness.
The eyes are vulnerable to the rays of the sun. Glare from playground equipment and a lack of shade can result in damage to the eyes, including permanent damage. The lens and cornea can be especially vulnerable.
Since there are so many ways children can be affected by the sun when they play outside, it’s important to do more than just apply sunscreen. Considering all the dangers caused by the sun, creating playgrounds that help protect children from heat and ultraviolet (UV) rays is a smart move in helping children enjoy the outdoors without the risks associated with sun exposure.
Playing in the sun is a rite of passage for childhood. However, it’s crucial to know how dangerous the sun can be, as it can lead to long-term consequences for children. Children may not realize they need to get out of the sun and may not recognize the early signs of sun damage. It’s up to adults to ensure children are well-protected.
Sun safety is an important part of overall playground safety for kids, so playgrounds should have structures to reduce the risk of sun damage for children. Sun safety matters because:
A little sun protection now can help children avoid serious consequences, painful burns and even potentially fatal conditions later, such as:
Sun protection is also crucial in building an inclusive playground. Some children have sun sensitivities. For example, children with photosensitivity, polymorphous light eruption, lupus, actinic prurigo and other conditions may not be able to tolerate sun for long and may get rashes and significant skin irritation or symptoms if exposed to even small or moderate amounts of sun.
The most common types of sun sensitivity include:
By offering shade and a sun-safe playground, you can ensure children who both have and do not have these conditions can enjoy playtime. A sun-safe playground can also be accessible to adult caregivers who both have and do not have these conditions.
The sun has two types of rays, and it’s important to protect children from both. UVA rays are long wave ultraviolet A rays, and they can penetrate deep into the skin, where they can affect cells and may cause cancer, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. UVB rays are short wave ultraviolet B rays, and they affect the top layer of skin, where they can cause painful burns, blisters and other damage. UVB rays are also strongly associated with cancer risk.
Protecting children from the sun is important at all times. On playgrounds, one of the most important features to help protect against sun damage is simple — shade. Playground shades become especially important in play areas for a number of reasons. These shades and a number of other tricks can help minimize sun-related issues:
Children spend peak hours (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) on playgrounds, especially on weekends and in the summer, when UV rays are highest, increasing the risk of burns. Children are simply more likely to be on the playground during higher-risk times, so protecting your children on the playground means safer sun exposure all around.
Exposing skin to playground surfaces increases the risk of a surface burn, especially on a sunny day. Protective clothing is lightweight to keep your child cool yet thick enough to shield their skin. Dress your child in:
Children and caregivers may assume that darker days mean no risk, but this is not the case. Clouds only filter UV rays, meaning they actually offer very little protection from these harmful rays. It’s still possible to get a sunburn on a cloudy day, and because many people are unaware of it, they may not apply sunscreen or wear hats. In this situation, quality shade at the playground can help avoid burns.
Playground shade structures provide an added barrier when used with SPF and hats. Shade covers more than SPF and hats alone. It keeps children’s entire bodies safer from the sun. Additionally, shade lets children play longer, allowing them to enjoy the outdoors and stay active.
We’re all aware of the importance of physical activity and exercise for children. Fresh air, social activity and staying active help children stay socially, mentally and physically healthier. Shade allows children to enjoy the outdoors and playtime for longer periods, allowing them to reap all the benefits of playgrounds while also reducing some of the dangers.
Keep in mind that sitting in the shade is still a good way to get vitamin D, so seeking shade won’t compromise your absorption levels. Vitamin D is especially important for immunity and for growing bones, meaning it’s especially important in childhood, when both bones and immunity are developing. Furthermore, shade can do the following:
Even when we’re vigilant about sunscreen, sunglasses and hats, sun risks exist. Shade on the playground can help children reduce some of the risks of playing outdoors.
Exposed playground surfaces can become hot after long periods of sun exposure. Simply touching these surfaces can create a burn on your child’s skin.
You should always check for hot equipment before letting your child play. Place your hand on the surface and slowly count to five. If your hand stays comfortable, it is safe to play.
Sunscreen is a must-have because it can help prevent sunburn and some resulting skin cancers. Choose a sunscreen with:
Rub sunscreen on your child’s face, nose, ears, hands, feet, legs and any other exposed areas. Sunscreen takes 15 to 30 minutes to absorb and must be reapplied every two hours and after sweating, swimming and towel drying. Always read the bottle for proper directions on application as they can vary from what’s suggested here.
Sun safety differs for preschoolers and infants. Babies under 6 months old should not wear sunscreen because they can rub it into their mouths or eyes. Keep your baby under a stroller sunshade and cover them with loose clothing and a hat.
Since children spend a lot of time outdoors, they may get a sunburn or surface burn. You can provide some at-home treatments to soothe the pain and help their skin heal.
A sunburn is skin that is red, warm to the touch, itchy, tight and peels within a week. If your child gets a sunburn, follow these tips:
Contact your doctor if your child is less than 1 year old or has blistered skin, pain, chills, confusion, headache or a fever.
A friction burn is red, wet and swollen skin. The burn may turn into an itchy scab within a few days as a sign of healing. Make sure your child doesn’t pick at the scab to avoid scarring or infection. Contact your doctor if the surface burn shows these signs of infection:
Shade is an important part of building a sun-safe playground. In addition to these structures, playground equipment itself can provide shade. For example, larger structures such as Metro Station or the Cozy Cocoon from Playworld provide spaces under or inside the structure for shade. Cozy spaces for children can provide some protection from the sun while also giving children the option of playing in full sun on top of the structure.
Options for introducing shade into a play area include:
Fast-growing trees can help provide shade within a few years. The main problem with trees is that they must be carefully maintained and trimmed back so they don’t pose a hazard.
It’s also important to consider root systems when planting trees. Root systems can expand far underneath playground equipment, potentially causing damage and structural integrity issues underneath the playground itself. If roots appear aboveground, they can also pose a tripping hazard.
Even with faster-growing trees, it can also take years to grow a tree to provide enough shade. In many cases, it’s simpler to use an existing tree and build a playground around it rather than trying to grow trees for shade.
Vines and shrubs can grow much faster than trees, meaning they can be grown over trellises or structures to provide shade. Like trees, they need to be trimmed back and maintained. Root systems are not as much of a problem, but it can still take years to develop a thick enough foliage cover to offer true shade. Even then, as with trees, shifting leaves can mean sun protection varies widely. UV rays can still get through.
Canopies can provide portable shade and a flexible option. They allow different parts of the playground to be covered at different times, which can be convenient. However, portable structures need to be taken down and set up again, which can be time-consuming and impractical.
Permanent shade structures can make a lot more sense for playgrounds. Permanent shade structures can be made from a variety of materials, including plastics, cloth, canvas and other materials. They also come in a variety of options.
These come in the shape of flowers or special shapes, which can add some fun and color to the playground while also keeping children safer from the sun. Custom shades can also call attention to specific areas of the playground.
With few columns, cantilever shades can be a good option if you don’t have much room for a post or your playground has a surface that will not accommodate posts. These shades cover larger areas, but usually with one or two columns or posts which are well out of the way. Canti shades come in a variety of styles and sizes for every playground.
Traditional structures with four posts are an economical shade solution. Canopy shades, for example, are easy to set up and offer plenty of shade. The four posts also offer lots of stability, which is ideal for larger shades if you’d like to cover your entire play area.
These offer more air ventilation and multiple colors. They can cover larger or irregularly shaped areas, since multiple panels are involved. Multi-panel shades also look great because they’re not one solid swath of fabric.
These can include an awning-type attachment from a roof or fence or, more commonly, multiple posts. Hip shades from Playworld, for example, can fit over entire playground structures for maximum sun protection. These uniquely shaped shades tend to offer maximum sun protection over circular play areas. They can also be combined together to cover uniquely-shaped playgrounds.
Playground shade sails solutions have different-sized posts for a more unique look which could work with multi-level playgrounds. Structures with 3-point, 4-point Hypar, and 5-point shade sails allow for a variety of applications.
For a single center post where multiple columns might not fit, solutions such as the Playworld Hypar Shade are useful and don’t take up too much room. Single-post shades can be as simple as a large, umbrella-like structure or more complex structures with turnbuckles and cabling to offer a larger shaded area.
Traditionally used for dugouts, wrap-around shades can cover longer structures. They’re ideal for coverage over a row of slides, and on the playground, they also work well to cover a line of benches intended for caregivers.
These structures have long sides which can offer additional levels of sun protection. They’re ideal for smaller playgrounds and to offer more robust coverage for a specific piece of equipment. They can block out sun coming in from the side as well as from overhead.
Shade shouldn’t be an afterthought in your playground. In order for it to truly protect children, including photosensitive children, while they run in the sun, it needs to be an important part of playground design. Simply putting up an umbrella or even a canopy alone won’t help if the right areas aren’t protected during the right times of the day.
To build some protection into playground design, make sure you:
When designing your playground and choosing shade structures, you’ll also want to give some thought to the material of your shade structure uses. Look for materials with a high ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) to offer maximum protection. Read about the amount of UV protection each material offers, especially if your play area is located in an area of the country with high UV levels.
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Playworld has the highly flexible Hypar Shade, a 14′ freestanding option with one-piece fabric to cover maximum square footage. The Hypar Shade blocks 94% of harmful UV rays thanks to its high-density polyethylene (HDPE) fabric known as Colorshade®, which is infused with UV inhibitors.
Colorshade® also comes in flame-retardant options for greater protection while optimizing aesthetic value. This fabric offers up to 92% UV protection for strong sun and weather protection and is available in several colors.
USA SHADE, a partner of Playworld, offers Shadesure® as one of its main fabric options. Shadesure® is an excellent choice for comprehensive shade and UV protection. This UV-stabilized, high-density polyethylene fabric provides up to 97% UV protection, plus weather protection.
Choosing fabric for your shade can be a challenge. Partly, your decision will be informed by the type of structure you choose. If you opt for a custom design, for example, you may want a non-warping and anti-stretching material that will maintain structural integrity. If your playground is located in an area with a harsher climate, a strong manufacturer’s warranty and durability may be important factors to consider.
Playworld and our partners can help you explore different fabric options if you have questions.
Sun-protected playground design is an integral part of creating a safe play space. When you’re ready to start creating your playground with shade, you will want to:
If you’re adding shade to an existing playground, flexible structures such as multi-panel or single-post structures may be easier to set up. You can simply set them up over existing equipment. Just consider the surfacing material you have and what installation will look like. You may need to reconsider if your surfacing material doesn’t allow you to install posts easily.
If you’re designing a playground from scratch, you may have more flexibility. You may wish to consider which areas require more shade and which ones can have a little bit of sun. You can also consider how natural features, such as trees, can be used to help create a sun-safe playground. If you’re designing a new play area, you may also have more flexibility with shade structures since you’ll be installing surfacing after you install your shade.
Take a look at how much coverage you need in order to cover a significant portion of the playground area. You may want a butterfly-shaped canopy over your playground, but if you need a very large canopy, this may not be feasible. Balance aesthetic wishes with practicality.
Also, plan for more shade than you think you need. Keep in mind that the shifting sun will be able to peek through if you create a shaded area that just barely covers the playground. For added insurance, you’ll want to cast a larger shaded area over your playground to offer maximum sun protection.
Some play areas use a creative combination of sun-safe solutions. It may help to look at existing playgrounds in your area to draw inspiration from them. Look for various types of shade structures to gather ideas for the versions you plan to implement on your playground. Be sure to visit Playworld for ideas and options, too.
Shade alone may not be enough to prevent sunburns and heat exhaustion. Encourage sun safety for kids on your playground, even if you’ve designed the play area with some safety in mind, by posting safety rules and sun safety rules on the playground itself.
Sun safety for kids has no price, but you’ll need to find a way to pay for your shade solution. If you’d like to install shade on an existing playground or want to create a sun-safe playground from scratch, there are a few tips you need so you can raise the funds you require:
If you are ready to help children enjoy the outdoors without sun exposure or contact burn risk, a Playworld Play Expert can help you find the solution that you need. In addition to Playworld’s Hypar Shade, our parent company, Playworld, offers a range of shade solutions, including the Shade Canopy, the Hypar Shade, the hat shade, modular shades and more.
Contact Playworld today to talk to a Play Expert, who can make sure your playground design includes everything you need. You’ll get some great ideas for ways to create a safer environment while still designing a fun and attractive playground.
When you’re ready to order, you can get the support you need at Playworld so you end up with a play area that is both safe and exciting!
