Playgrounds are essential for children’s physical development, social skills, and confidence. They are also one of the most common settings for childhood injuries — in Canada, playground-related injuries account for tens of thousands of emergency department visits each year. Falls are the leading cause, followed by collisions with equipment and entrapment.

Most playground injuries are minor and treatable at the scene. But some — particularly head injuries, suspected fractures, and dental trauma — require quick assessment and decisive action. This guide helps you tell the difference and respond appropriately.

The Most Common Playground Injuries (and How to Treat Each)

Scrapes and Abrasions

The classic playground injury. Clean the wound with clean running water (carry a water bottle for this purpose). Remove any visible dirt or debris with a clean cloth. Apply antibiotic ointment and cover with an adhesive bandage. Change the bandage daily or whenever it gets dirty or wet. Seek medical attention if the scrape is very large, very deep, heavily contaminated with dirt or gravel, or shows signs of infection (increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or pus) after a day or two.

Bumps and Bruises

Apply a cold pack wrapped in a thin cloth for 10-15 minutes. Repeat every hour as needed for the first 24 hours. Elevate the injured area if possible. Give age-appropriate pain relief. Most bruises resolve on their own within one to two weeks. Seek medical attention if the bruise is very large, if the child cannot move the affected limb normally, or if bruising appears without an obvious cause.

Sprains and Strains

Ankle and wrist sprains are common from falls and jumps. Follow the RICE protocol: Rest (stop the activity), Ice (cold pack for 20 minutes, repeated every two hours), Compression (elastic bandage — snug but not restricting circulation), and Elevation (above heart level). If the child cannot bear weight on the injured limb, the joint looks deformed, or swelling is severe and rapid, seek medical attention — it may be a fracture rather than a sprain.

Suspected Broken Bones (Fractures)

1. Keep the child still and calm
2. Immobilise the injured area in the position found — use a folded towel, magazine, or piece of cardboard as a makeshift splint if needed
3. Apply ice wrapped in cloth near (not directly on) the suspected fracture
4. Call for medical help or transport to the emergency department — keep the limb supported during transport
5. Watch for signs of shock: pale, cool, clammy skin, rapid breathing, dizziness

Head Injuries and Concussions

Head injuries are the most serious playground risk. Any fall from equipment — monkey bars, slides, climbing walls — can result in a head impact. Most head bumps are minor, but concussions and more serious injuries can be difficult to identify, especially in young children who cannot articulate their symptoms.

Minor Head Bump (No Concussion Suspected)

• Apply a cold pack to the bump for 15-20 minutes
• Monitor the child closely for the next 24-48 hours
• Allow them to sleep but check on them periodically
• Give age-appropriate pain relief (acetaminophen, not ibuprofen for head injuries)

Signs of a Concussion

• Headache that does not go away or worsens
• Confusion, difficulty concentrating, or “foggy” thinking
• Dizziness or balance problems
• Nausea or vomiting (one episode of vomiting immediately after impact may be normal; repeated vomiting is concerning)
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Unusual drowsiness or difficulty waking up
• Mood changes — unusually irritable, sad, or emotional
• In toddlers: excessive crying, refusal to eat, changes in sleep pattern, loss of interest in favourite toys

Knocked-Out Teeth

Dental trauma from falls is surprisingly common on playgrounds. How you handle a knocked-out tooth in the first 30 minutes dramatically affects whether a dentist can reimplant it.

Baby (Primary) Tooth

Do not attempt to reimplant a knocked-out baby tooth — reimplantation can damage the developing permanent tooth underneath. Stop the bleeding by having the child bite on a clean gauze pad. Apply a cold pack to the face to reduce swelling. See a dentist within 24 hours to check for damage to the gum and developing permanent teeth.

Permanent Tooth

1. Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown (the white part) — never touch the root
2. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it briefly under clean running water (no more than 10 seconds). Do not scrub or use soap
3. If the child is old enough and cooperative, try to gently push the tooth back into the socket. Have them bite on a clean cloth to hold it in place
4. If reimplantation is not possible, store the tooth in milk (not water), saline solution, or have the child hold it between their cheek and gum (only if they will not swallow it)
5. See a dentist or go to the emergency room within 30 minutes — time is critical for successful reimplantation

Playground Safety: Reducing the Risks

• Check the surface — safe playgrounds have impact-absorbing surfaces (rubber mats, wood chips, sand) under and around equipment. Concrete, asphalt, and packed earth are dangerous fall surfaces
• Age-appropriate equipment — keep toddlers off equipment designed for older children. Most playgrounds have separate areas for ages 2-5 and 5-12
• Check for hazards — broken glass, protruding bolts, missing guardrails, hot metal surfaces in summer, and gaps that could trap fingers, hands, or heads
• Remove drawstrings and loose accessories — drawstring hoods, scarves, necklaces, and capes can catch on equipment and cause strangulation
• Supervise actively — be close enough to intervene, especially with children under five on climbing equipment