By Big Little Parties | September 14, 2024

Soft play events are perfect for energetic kids who love to climb, bounce, and explore. However, to make sure everyone has a fun and safe experience, it’s important to keep safety top of mind. Proper supervision is key to preventing accidents and ensuring all the children enjoy their time while playing.

Here’s a guide on how to effectively supervise kids during a soft play event and ensure safety remains a priority.

---

1. Set Clear Boundaries & Rules

Before the fun begins, it’s essential to set clear ground rules for the kids and inform the parents as well. Basic rules like no running in the play area, no roughhousing, and playing gently with the equipment can help minimize risks. Make sure to remind everyone to follow any rules posted around the play area, and gently enforce them throughout the event.

For older kids, you can even turn rule-following into a fun game! Create challenges where kids can earn rewards for staying safe, keeping their socks on, or sharing nicely with others.

---

2. Maintain Active Supervision

The most important factor in maintaining safety at a soft play event is active supervision. Keep an eye on the children at all times and ensure they’re playing within the designed area. If you’re hosting, ask a few extra adults to help you watch over the kids, especially in larger groups.

Supervising doesn’t mean standing still—move around the area, watch for any rough play or unsafe behavior, and be prepared to intervene quickly if needed. Assigning specific areas or zones to individual adults can also help ensure all parts of the play space are covered.

---

3. Make Sure the Play Area is Age-Appropriate

Ensure the play equipment matches the ages of the kids at the event. Younger children may need a softer, more contained space, while older kids might want more climbing or interactive play. By using age-appropriate equipment, you can reduce the risk of injury and ensure each child has fun safely.

Also, monitor mixed-age play carefully. Older kids can unintentionally play more roughly, so keeping them separate from younger children is a good way to avoid accidents.

---

4. Encourage Safe Sharing and Cooperation

Soft play encourages social interaction, which is great for developing children’s social skills. However, conflicts can arise over equipment or space. Be sure to encourage sharing and cooperation by guiding children to take turns on equipment like slides or in the ball pit.

If necessary, you can even introduce simple rules about time limits or taking turns on popular pieces of equipment to prevent conflicts from escalating.

---

5. Regularly Check the Play Area

During the event, take the time to inspect the play area periodically. Make sure all the equipment is still securely set up, and remove any items that don’t belong in the play area, such as sharp objects or drinks. Keep the space clean and free from hazards, and remind children to stay within the designated play zone.

---

6. Be Prepared for Minor Injuries

While the goal is to prevent accidents, minor injuries can still happen when kids are playing. Make sure you have a first aid kit on hand and know where it is. Scrapes, bumps, and minor falls are common, so being prepared to handle these quickly will help you stay calm and keep the kids at ease.

---

Conclusion

Soft play events offer endless fun for kids, but ensuring their safety is essential. By setting rules, staying actively engaged in supervision, and creating a safe play environment, you can ensure a memorable and safe experience for everyone. At Big Little Parties, we take safety seriously, and our soft play equipment is designed to help kids play, grow, and explore safely.

Whether you’re hosting a birthday bash or a fun family day, keeping safety top of mind allows everyone to relax and enjoy the event to the fullest!