Safety Guide for Family Activities

Choosing Materials

Age suitability

Check that craft and activity materials are labelled for the appropriate age group. Labels on art and craft products typically indicate suitability from age 3 or from age 6 — these labels exist because of choking risk, toxicity, and complexity considerations. When an activity calls for materials not marked as child-safe, adults should handle those materials themselves and keep them out of reach.

Choking risks

Any object small enough to fit through a toilet-paper tube is a potential choking hazard for children under three, and may be a risk for older children who still explore objects by mouthing. This includes: small beads, googly eyes, coins, buttons, small magnets, batteries, small pebbles, dried pulses, and similar items. Check all materials before the activity begins and remove any small items from the area when a younger child is present.

Sharp edges

Recycled packaging — tin cans, foil trays, cardboard boxes — can have sharp edges at cut or torn points. Adults should check all recycled materials before offering them to children. Remove or tape over any sharp edges. Adults should handle all cutting of tin, thick cardboard, and similar materials.

Clean recycled materials

Ensure all recycled packaging is thoroughly washed and dried before use in craft activities. Check the inside of containers for food residue, mould, and strong-smelling chemicals. Do not use packaging that previously contained allergens if the child has known food allergies — residue may remain even after washing. Avoid packaging with staples that cannot be removed.

Non-toxic products

Use only paints, glues, and craft products labelled as non-toxic and age-appropriate. Check the label before every new product — labelling varies between brands and formulations. Non-toxic does not mean edible; even safe materials should not be consumed. Ensure good ventilation when using any paint, adhesive, or decorating product indoors.

Allergies

Be aware of known allergies before selecting activity materials. Common allergens in craft activities include: latex (in some balloons and elastic), nut-based products, wheat or gluten (in some modelling clays), certain plant materials, and nickel (in some metal craft fasteners). If allergy status is uncertain, consult a caregiver or medical professional before the activity.

Food ingredients in crafts

Some craft activities use food ingredients — flour, salt, rice, lentils. This can be problematic for children with food allergies or for families with food scarcity concerns. Consider whether food-based materials are appropriate for the specific child and context. Food used in craft should not then be eaten.

String and cord safety

Long lengths of string, cord, ribbon, and elastic can wrap around fingers, wrists, or necks. Keep string activities under close supervision. Do not allow young children to play unsupervised with string long enough to wrap around the neck. Use the shortest length that allows the activity to function. When making items with straps — such as binoculars or masks — ensure the strap cannot tighten around the child's neck.

Magnets

Small, strong magnets — particularly rare-earth magnets — are a serious ingestion hazard. If two or more are swallowed, they can attract through intestinal walls and cause severe injury. Do not use strong small magnets in activities for young children. If a magnet is accidentally swallowed, seek medical attention immediately.

Batteries

Button batteries are a severe swallowing hazard. If swallowed, they can cause chemical burns to the oesophagus within two hours. Keep battery-operated items with unsecured battery compartments out of reach of young children. If a button battery is swallowed, seek emergency medical help immediately.

Paint and glue labels

Read the product label on every paint, glue, and decorating material before use. Look for: age suitability, non-toxic labelling, ventilation requirements, and first aid information. Store all products securely out of reach of children.

Adult Preparation — Tasks for Adults Only

Some steps in activity and craft instructions should be performed only by a capable adult. These include:

• Cutting thick cardboard — requires a sharp craft knife or strong scissors. Neither should be used by children. Ensure cutting is done on a stable surface away from children.
• Using a craft knife — must be an adult-only tool. Keep the blade covered when not in use. Cut away from the body. Store locked away or out of reach.
• Using hot glue — a hot glue gun reaches temperatures that cause serious burns. Adults must operate hot glue guns. Children should not be near the gun while it is in use or while the glue is still warm. Allow glued pieces to cool fully before handing to children.
• Preparing small parts — sort, cut, or separate small craft parts before the activity begins, when children are not at the table.
• Checking outdoor spaces — before any outdoor activity, an adult should walk the area and check for hazards: uneven surfaces, sharp objects, animal droppings, insect activity, and unstable structures.
• Handling breakable materials — glass, ceramics, and similar materials have no place in children's craft activities. If a glass item is used inadvertently and breaks, an adult should handle all cleanup and ensure all fragments are safely disposed of.
• Hanging or mounting finished pieces — securing strings, hooks, or hanging systems for mobiles, banners, and decorations should be done by an adult at a safe height and with appropriate fixings.

Supervision

The level of supervision required for any activity depends on a combination of factors. No general guideline can substitute for an adult's assessment of a specific child in a specific environment. The following factors all affect how closely an adult should remain involved:

• Age: Younger children require closer, more continuous supervision. Children under 3 should have an adult within arm's reach at all times during any activity.
• Ability: A child with limited fine-motor control, reduced awareness of hazards, or difficulty following instructions may need more support regardless of their age.
• Environment: A cleared, safe indoor space may need less vigilance than an outdoor area with uneven ground, traffic nearby, or unknown plant life.
• Materials: Activities involving scissors, paint, glue, natural materials, or water all require closer supervision than activities using only large, safe objects.
• Activity type: Movement activities, outdoor activities, and anything involving tools require more active adult presence than calm, seated craft work.
• Water: Any activity near water — including paddling pools, ponds, puddles, or water play containers — requires constant close adult supervision. Children can drown in very shallow water.
• Outdoor access: If an activity takes place in or near outdoor space with access to roads, water, or unknown areas, adult supervision must be continuous.
• Small objects: Any activity involving small pieces requires close supervision of younger children throughout.

Craft Area Setup

Stable work surfaces

Set up craft activities on a stable, flat surface at an appropriate height for the child. Unstable tables or surfaces that rock when leaned on are a hazard — items can spill, fall, or tip. For floor-based activities, ensure the floor area is clear and the child is sitting comfortably.

Washable covers

Cover work surfaces with newspaper, an old cloth, or a purpose-made table cover before using paint or glue. This simplifies cleanup and protects surfaces. Washable covers can be reused; newspaper can be recycled after use.

Ventilation

Ensure the room is adequately ventilated when using any paint, adhesive, or chemical craft product indoors. Open a window or door. Do not use spray paints, strong adhesives, or solvents in enclosed spaces with children present.

Handwashing

Children should wash hands with soap and water before and after craft activities. This is particularly important after handling natural materials, paint, or glue. Provide a washable surface covering and a nearby handwashing point where possible.

Keeping food separate

Do not combine craft activities and food or drink. Craft materials can contaminate food and vice versa. Clear and wipe surfaces thoroughly before offering any food or drink after a craft session.

Keeping dangerous tools out of reach

Scissors, craft knives, skewers, hot glue guns, and any other sharp or heat-producing tools must be kept out of children's reach when not in active use by an adult. Do not leave sharp tools on a table and step away, even briefly.

Safe cleanup

Dispose of sharp offcuts, used adhesive strips, and small scraps safely after the session. Check the floor for fallen small pieces before releasing young children from the work area. Wash brushes, wipe surfaces, and store materials securely.

Outdoor Activities

Boundaries

Before any outdoor activity, establish clear boundaries with children — where they may go and where they may not. Boundaries should be visible (a fence, a path edge, a building corner) rather than described in terms of distance, which young children find difficult to assess.

Weather

Check the weather forecast before outdoor activities. Avoid outdoor play in lightning, high wind, or severe heat or cold without appropriate preparation. Wet surfaces become slippery. Ice is a serious hazard.

Traffic

Never conduct outdoor activities near roads or driveways without appropriate barriers or continuous adult supervision. Teach road safety appropriate to the child's age, and ensure young children are held by the hand near any traffic.

Water

Constant adult supervision is required whenever children are near water. This includes ponds, streams, paddling pools, and garden water features. A child can drown in a very small amount of water. Empty water containers immediately after use.

Plants

Do not allow children to pick, taste, or handle unknown plants. Many garden and wild plants are toxic, including some that are common and look harmless. Teach children to observe plants without touching them unless an adult has confirmed it is safe. Wash hands after any contact with plants or soil.

Insects

Be aware of stinging insects — bees, wasps, and hornets — particularly in warm weather and near flowering plants or fruit. Do not disturb nests. If a child has a known allergy to insect stings, ensure any necessary medication is accessible and that other adults present know how to use it. Seek medical attention immediately for any severe allergic reaction.

Sun exposure

Apply age-appropriate sun cream before outdoor activities in sunny weather, and reapply as directed. Provide hats and appropriate clothing. Offer shade and regular water breaks. Avoid outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day in high temperatures.

Suitable footwear

Ensure children wear footwear appropriate to the outdoor surface — sturdy shoes for rough terrain, waterproof boots for wet conditions. Bare feet are appropriate only on clean, safe surfaces known to be free of sharp objects and hazards.

Local hazards

Be aware of specific hazards in the local outdoor environment: dog waste, broken glass, discarded sharps, slippery surfaces, and unfenced drops. Check the outdoor area before allowing children to play freely within it.

Sensory Activities

Allergies

Sensory activities often involve materials in contact with skin — sand, water, dough, textured objects, natural materials. Check for known skin allergies or sensitivities before the activity. If a child has eczema, sensitive skin, or unknown reactions to certain materials, introduce new sensory materials gradually and supervise the initial contact closely.

Skin sensitivity

Some children find certain textures or temperatures uncomfortable or distressing. Do not force participation in sensory activities. Allow children to observe before touching, and withdraw from materials that cause discomfort. A child who dislikes the texture of a particular material is not refusing to cooperate — they may be experiencing genuine sensory discomfort.

Avoiding tasting

Sensory materials should not be consumed. Ensure young children understand this before beginning. If a child persists in tasting craft or sensory materials, the activity should stop. Materials used in sensory play — even those with food origins, such as cornflour or rice — are not safe to eat in a craft context.

Supervision

Sensory activities with children under three require close, continuous adult supervision. Young children explore with their mouths as well as their hands — this is developmentally normal but requires careful material selection and vigilant supervision.

Cleaning containers

Clean all sensory play containers thoroughly after use. Damp materials can develop mould rapidly. Dry all containers and allow to air before storing. Do not store damp sand, wet dough, or other perishable sensory materials in sealed containers.

Stopping if irritation occurs

If a child develops redness, rash, itching, or discomfort during a sensory activity, stop the activity immediately, remove the material from contact with skin, and wash the affected area with water. If irritation persists or worsens, seek medical advice. Do not re-expose the child to a material that has previously caused a skin reaction without professional guidance.

This site does not provide medical advice. If you have concerns about a child's allergic reaction or skin condition, consult a qualified medical professional.

When to Stop an Activity

An activity should stop immediately if any of the following occur:

• Materials break in a way that creates sharp edges, small pieces, or fragments.
• A child places an unsafe item in their mouth — particularly a small object, a battery, or a material not intended for consumption.
• The play area or floor becomes slippery from spilled water or other liquid.
• A child becomes distressed, frightened, or is showing signs of physical discomfort during the activity.
• The weather changes to create an unsafe outdoor environment — lightning, severe wind, or extreme heat.
• Adult supervision is no longer available — for example, if an adult must leave the space immediately.
• Activity steps cannot be followed safely by the child in the current session — materials are beyond the child's control, or instructions cannot be understood.
• Any tool, material, or fixture used in the activity fails, breaks, or becomes unstable.

Stopping an activity should be calm and matter-of-fact. A brief explanation — "we need to stop this now because the container broke and there are sharp bits" — is appropriate. Avoiding blame or distress makes it easier to stop quickly when needed.