Due to the COVID pandemic, social distancing has become the new norm and it has become essential to keep minimum contact from the outside world. Even though we as adults can have the patience to wait it out and stay indoors, we can?t expect the same kind of patience and maturity from kids. After all, outdoor exposure and playtime are crucial for their physical growth and mental health. Moreover, with schools shut down temporarily, kids need an outlet to release their pent up energy.

If you are thinking of stepping out with your kids from time to time, it?s crucial to take the necessary precautions and do everything you can as a parent, to ensure proper safety. Here are our five vital tips to keep in mind as you plan your family outing.

<strong>1. </strong><strong>Be Careful of What Your Children Touch</strong>

Kids have a hard time not touching stuff. While stepping outside you need to be extra vigilant of your children touching surfaces. For those living in single-family homes, this isn?t too much of a big deal. However, if you live in a building complex, you need to be careful about doorknobs, elevator buttons, walls, stair handles, and other surfaces.

To make things fun for your kids, try turning it into a game. Pretend that the surfaces are hot and make your kids wear gloves. Carry paper towels or tissues so that you can press buttons and touch doorknobs, without worrying about an infection.

<strong>2. Carry a Hand Sanitizer </strong>

This tip is an obvious one, but you need to carry a sanitizer bottle with you while heading outdoors. The moment you see your kid touch plastic or metal surface, sanitize their hands.

Also, keep an extra sanitizer bottle in your bag at all times. This way you, even if you forget it at home, you have an extra one with you.

<strong>3. Bring Masks Along</strong>

Wearing a mask is the most essential safety measure while heading outdoors, but for little kids, wearing one isn?t advised. According to a study, kids who are below two years of age must not wear masks for safety reasons. It could cause them breathing difficulties and they could even accidentally choke. For kids above two years, masks could cause them to touch their faces more frequently than not having one on.

However, outdoor safety rules must be followed. Ensure that you place extra masks in your backpack along with your snacks and water bottle. If it becomes difficult to maintain physical distance from others, whip them out, and put them on your kids.

<strong>4. Choose a Safe Outdoor Space </strong>

Your home yard is one of the best outdoor spaces, but that option isn?t available for everyone, especially in metropolitan cities. Ideally, it?s best to pick spots where you will not encounter a lot of people. Biking trails, hiking grounds, open fields, camping spots are some good places to head to. Moreover, the soft surfaces that are found in these open spaces are less hospitable to viruses.

<strong>5. Maintain Physical Distance Outdoors</strong>

You are most likely to come across people outside, but the chances of catching the virus from someone as they pass you are not likely. However, even those minute risks aren?t worth taking. Therefore, when you head outside with your kids, ensure that there is a physical distance of at least 6 feet between you and other people.

We hope you have gained some valuable insights from this article. These tips at first might sound like a lot of fuzz and preparation beforehand, but it?s completely worth following them so that you and your kids can head out, have some fun and make the most of your time outdoors.