Another toddler question...McDonalds playground?

Question

When did you start letting your child climb on a McDonalds type playground alone? My child is almost 18 months old and I follow her everywhere because she's still prone to falling down and doesn't really seem to have much depth perception yet. The McDonalds playground is fully enclosed but I still don't feel comfortable with it because of all the stairs and the big slide.

I could do without the food lecture. My kid eats really healthy and McDonalds is a rare occasion for us. I could also do without the germ lecture too. I've taken my child to the McDonalds playland one time and hovered over her the entire time. Duh!

Answer 1

Out of all these people who are answering and judging her for taking her child to McDonalds... wow, if everyone as I am gathering is so against McDonalds as a special treat then why is it such a wealthy food chain. Is it a place to go for every meal or a couple of times a week even? No, but for every once in a while there is not reason why not.

I also believe in good hygene and washing hands and keeping clean, but if your child goes to school with other kids, is in a day care, or anything like that then your child is pretty safe in a McDonalds play place. Sure, wash your hands when you are done but let the child have some fun! And you don't have to eat there to just have some fun there.

As far as your child is concerned my kiddos were about 2 years before I let them go play. I made sure they had good balance first and then was also cautious when other kids are around. Some of the bigger kids can get a little rough. With my oldest being 7 now she really looks out for her sister who is 3 when they are playing.

Answer 2

Well I agree let her play she will only go so far. And as for everyone else judging this woman as for taking her child to McDonalds LAY OFF! You act as if she has the girl hooked to an IV of fat and sugar! And as for the germ thing; if your child goes to a day care or school they are the same if not worse! I have a 16 month old and a niece was is 22 months old and they love to play. We make sure we go during the day and during the week. Hardly any other children at all. And because of that I can get in there with them and monitor them better. You are doing a great job she is 18 months old and wants to explore and not be tucked underneath you she is trying to be her own person so let her!

Answer 3

I think if you are the only ones in there, or there are just little kids in there, I see nothing wrong with letting her run around a little. Besides, at 18 months, she is probably not going to get very high anyway.
As for the germs, yeah there are a lot of germs there, but there are germs everywhere, there are no more there than in a regular playground. Letting them play there every once in a while is not going to hurt.
My kids play there all the time and they are fine.

Answer 4

We'll go pretty much only on long car trips (5 hours) when its cold out to give them some exercise. Although on our last trip my 3 year old got freaked out in the tunnel, and I had to climb up there and get him. SO NEVER WEAR A SKIRT THERE.

Anyway, you can make OK health choices there and bring anti-bacterial wipes for hands.

But I think 18 months is pretty young for that. Plus you get some rowdy older kids in those. You might be better luck if a mall or your park system has an indoor playground.

Answer 5

my daughter started playing in the playplaces as soon as she could get up the steps on her own but only if there was no more than 2 or 3 other kids there and only if they were young kids
if she got lost i would go get her but i'm 4'10" and can actually go in the play places with no issues

as per the stairs those playplaces are made so if you fall off a step your not going to keep falling all the way down the max you could possibly fall is 2 stairs

my daughter is now 3 and has the mcd's playplace memorized

i prefer Burger King's though cause they have more steps instead of tubes that you are expected to climb wearing socks

Answer 6

I started letting my daughters go into the McDonalds playland when they were 3 years old and I knew that they understood me when I said that they needed to get out of it to leave. I used to work at one that had a play land and found that the younger than 3 kids had a hard time and seemed to get lost in the tubes. They then panic and freak out because they don't know where to get out. Wait till she is closer to 3!

Answer 7

I never let them play alone. I think it even says on the "rules" sign that children must be supervised at all times. Besides, those things are so yucky. I don't know how many times I've seen one with poop streaks down the slide because some babies diaper was too full.

In my area, they don't really have those playground things anymore anyway.

Answer 8

I would wait until she is 24 months old and walking, running, and climbing with ease. When she is ready you need to decide every time you go wether you allow her to go in. Sometimes there are older children in the playground that may push past and injure your daughter. and other times there might be only a couple younger children. Each time you go you must use your own judgment.

Answer 9

My daughter is 25 months and I haven't let her in there yet. But, she isn't a very adventurous little girl. My friend's boy is 20 months and jumping off furniture and doing sumersalts on the floor! Stay by your child and help her out. She's still a baby.

Answer 10

Every kid is different -- it all depends on their coordination and how much your heart can take. If you're not certain she's ready for it, you might try some indoor gyms or tot lots at the park first -- where you can better moniter her and she can get more practice on her coordination.