Discussions

So today my child was almost the only kid wearing socks among a dozen other children! The rules specifically state socks worn at all times! I know the rules are not enforced there so no worries to them but this is gross and the rules are there for a reason. So please parents, bring a pair of socks with u (or a pair left in car) for occasions like this. Yes, my daughter washes her hands afterwards- but I'm worried about that moment she puts her hands in her mouth when at the top after touching floors that dirty bare feet have been on. I'm not a germ freak by any means but I have been seeing this more often and needed to rant!

Have you seen the state of some kids socks?! Not clean lol. IMO, socks or bare feet, both have the same amount of germs. Not to mention the sneezing, coughing, boogers, licking, drool etc etc etc....kids are dirty, plain and simple lol (I say this with love )  
 
I always thought socks were more for safety than cleanliness?  
 
Edited by sammy, 2016-10-01 16:23:51

Why let your kids in these places if it bothers you. I agree that whether it's socks or bare feet, there are the same amount of germs.  
My kids have never been allowed on these types of structures. if they get invited to a place like play time for a party, they obviously will go, but I don't take them to any of these places myself. They rarely get cleaned properly, and it's not just coughing and sneezing germs I'm worried about. Baby diapers leak, kids have accidents, and there are a lot other more serious infections that can be lurking on these structures than the common cold.  
Honestly, they should be at least wiped down every day, and fully disinfected at least once per week. But they are not most likely. If someone was at least wiping things daily, the grossest things would be caught and cleaned up properly. Who knows how long some of the stuff sits there un cleaned.

Lol. Did you bring it to the attention of the staff? McDs does sell socks for this exact reason. I'm guessing not since you didn't mention it in your eBrandon post.

honestly i have let my kid go without socks even tho i know it is against the rules, why because he constantly hurt himself when he wore socks because they made it more slippery, i found it much safer to be bare footed and since they place is filthy(have you ever climbed up in there) i didnt see it as making it more filthy except i suppose he didnt contribute to the cleaning of the structure with his socks lol anyway my kid has grown out of those places now but i would still ignore the rule and let him build his immune system by being exposed to the filth and what not

cest_la_vie said "On McDonalds behalf, I am actually quite impressed. I do not take my child to the Playplace very often, but the handful of times I have gone there is always a staff member in there cleaning. They are spraying and wiping the surfaces on the structure.     These types of places will never be "germ free" but I have never found McDonalds Playplace to be gross.     What bothers me is when parents bring their children to play when they are obviously sick (productive cough and runny nose). Please keep your children home when they aren't well. "

I have to agree. The play place for the most part is fairly clean (except this one yellow part on the outside of it, it is SO dusty)  
 
Places where children play (including any park play structure, pools, and daycare's as well) is impossible to keep clean at ALL times. However, I believe all these places are great ways to build immunity and kids LOVE them. I find kids that are exposed to germs actually get sick less often but that's just IME  
 
It's up to parents/caregivers too though to do their part. Make sure your child isn't in a soiled diaper or overly dirty clothing, no food should be allowed on the structures and all garbage needs to be put in garbage bins. And like mentioned, it should be obvious to keep your sick child home to help decrease the spread of the illness

It has been a number of years ago now, but we took our kids to a business that had a play structure and plastic ball pit. When my daughter got out of the ball pit her socks were missing. We were the only ones there at the time so I climbed in and went searching. I found her socks and plenty many more haha. I would prefer not to consider what else may have been lurking underneath all those balls.