Preparing your child to play outside safely and confidently

 Prepare your child to be safe around roads

Prepare your child to walk and cycle independently by explaining and showing them from an early age how they can keep themselves safe on and around roads.

Help your child to get to know your neighbourhood

Walk and cycle with your child in your local area. Help them identify safe routes to play spaces and to the other places they need to go.

Make agreements with your child

Once your child is confident enough to travel around and play out without you, you can agree with them where they are going to play and how long they’ll be out. It is helpful if they can tell the time, if they know the neighbourhood, and if they know your address and phone number, too.

Keep your worries in perspective

Try and be realistic about your fears for your child’s safety. For most people in most areas, the benefits of playing outside far outweigh the risks.

Take a community approach to play

Get to know local people – neighbours and other families – and agree to keep an eye out for the children in your neighbourhood. Children will be safer if more of them play outside.