Should Toddlers Wear Socks in an Indoor Public Play Area?

Play Area Rules

• Indoor play areas might have defined rules regarding socks. Many facilities state that kids must wear socks during play time at the facility. Set a good example by following the rules. If you are unsure, ask a play area attendant about the policy on wearing socks.

Communicable Diseases

• Anywhere that groups of little kids hang out has the potential for being a germ factory. If your child has a cut or open sore on his foot, he is even more at danger of contracting or spreading bacteria or viruses. If your child is running around without socks, getting sweaty and he touches feet with a child who has athlete̵7;s foot or ringworm, he could contract a contagious fungal infection, according to KidsHealth. These infections thrive in warm, moist areas, such as between sweaty toes. Ensure that your child is wearing a new pair of socks when he gets to the play area and also bathes later that day, paying specific attention to washing his feet and between his toes.

General Cleanliness

• Even if your toddler doesn̵7;t sweat like a teenager when he̵7;s running around the play area, it doesn̵7;t mean he doesn̵7;t sweat. Keeping socks on his feet helps to absorb foot moisture. Public play areas can get dirty, slimy and grimy, so the socks keep the dirt, debris and food particles from sticking to his toes.

Safety and Protection

• Socks offer a layer of protection while your little one plays. Even if the play area is indoors, all sorts of random stuff can make its way into the building. Tiny wood chips that have been tracked in from outside can give a kid splinters if he is not wearing socks. Peddles that fall from the bottom of shoes can hurt if your little one steps on them. Pieces of broken toys or random objects hurt much more when your child isn̵7;t wearing socks to buffer the contact.