Large events and festivals are exciting opportunities for families to make lasting memories. Whether you’re attending a local festival, a concert, or a sporting event, crowded spaces can pose challenges when it comes to keeping your kids safe.
In busy environments, it’s easy to lose track of your child, and things can quickly turn stressful. To help ensure your family stays together and safe, here are some essential child safety tips for navigating crowded places.
Prepare for Crowded Events: Essential Child Safety Tips
Attending large events with kids can be fun and exciting, but it’s also important to take steps to keep your children safe. Crowded places like festivals, parks, and sporting events can present unique challenges for parents. Here are practical tips to ensure your child stays safe in crowds.
Before You Leave:
1. Dress Your Child in Bright Clothing
Dressing your children in bright, easily recognizable clothing makes it easier to spot them if they wander off in a crowd. Consider taking a photo of them before leaving so you can quickly share it with authorities if needed.
2. Use Temporary Identification
Consider temporary identification for your child, such as writing their name and your contact number on their arm with a non-toxic marker or using a safety wristband. This ensures they can be easily reunited with you if they get lost.
3. Teach Kids to Memorize Important Information
Help your children memorize their full name and your phone number. Turn it into a fun activity by creating a song, making it easier for younger kids to remember key details.
4. Set Clear Boundaries and Expectations
Before arriving at the event, explain the importance of staying close. You could say, “There will be a lot of people, so we need to see each other at all times. If not, we will have to hold hands or leave.”
5. Play the “What Am I Wearing?” Game
As a fun way to help everyone remember what they’re wearing, play a quick game on the way to the event. This will help you recognize each other in a crowd and can be useful if someone gets lost.
6. Teach Your Child What to Do If Lost
Make sure your child knows what to do if they get lost. For younger kids, instruct them to stay put and never leave the venue. Some experts recommend teaching them to call out your real name instead of “mom” or “dad” to attract the right attention.
At the Event: How to Keep Kids Safe
7. Use Wristbands or Temporary Tattoos for Identification
Many venues provide wristbands where you can write your contact details. If these are not available, create your own with ID tags or temporary tattoos. This can be a lifesaver if your child is separated from you.
8. Point Out Safe Adults
Upon arrival, show your children who to approach for help if they get lost. Point out uniformed security personnel, police officers, or even other moms with kids. Knowing who to trust will help them feel more secure.
9. Designate a Meeting Spot
For older children, select an easily identifiable meeting spot where they can go if they get separated from you. Make sure it’s well-marked and easy to find, like a specific booth or landmark.
10. Consider Using a GPS Tracker
For added peace of mind, equip your child with a GPS tracker or smartwatch that allows you to track their location. Devices like the Verizon Gizmo Watch offer real-time tracking and calling features, ideal for kids who are still too young for a phone.
For example, check out the Verizon Gizmo Watch – Perfect for kids who are old enough to play with technology but are still too young for a phone of their own. It allows your kids to make/receive calls at the touch of a button and features GPS so you can see where your kids are at all times.
Large events can be overwhelming, but with a few simple precautions, you can ensure your family stays safe while having a great time. By following these child safety tips, you’ll reduce the risks and create stress-free memories with your kids.
Do you have any other safety tips? Let us know about them by emailing hello@mkewithkids.com.
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Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
