Backyard games turn an ordinary afternoon into a lively gathering, but a few simple safety steps can keep the fun from ending in a trip to the emergency room. Whether you are pulling out old equipment from the garage or setting up a new play area, knowing which items are banned, how to reduce injury risks, and when to head indoors makes all the difference.
Banned lawn darts: destroy old sets immediately
One of the most dangerous pieces of backyard game equipment is also one of the oldest. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) banned the sale of all lawn darts in the United States effective December 19, 1988. According to the CPSC, pointed lawn darts were responsible for the deaths of three children, and a more recent injury involved a 7‑year‑old boy who suffered a brain injury after a dart pierced his skull. The darts, typically about 12 inches long with a heavy metal or weighted plastic tip, were sold in sets with targets and thrown underhand toward a target on the ground.
The CPSC warns that these banned products may still be sitting in garages, basements, or second‑hand stores. The agency urges consumers to discard or destroy all lawn darts immediately and never give them away, because they can still cause skull punctures and other serious injuries. If you find a set while cleaning out storage, do not donate it or hand it down; take it apart and dispose of it safely.
Trampoline safety: what the AAP recommends
Trampolines are a common sight in backyards, but the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that kids of all ages avoid recreational trampoline use, except in supervised training programs with professional coaches and specialized equipment. The AAP’s guidance, published on HealthyChildren.org, notes that more than 800,000 children were injured on trampolines between 2009 and 2018, and thousands of emergency room visits each year involve serious damage to arms, legs, collarbone, back, or neck. Concussions, broken bones, and injuries requiring surgery are all possible, especially when multiple jumpers share the mat.
Because toddlers and preschoolers face the greatest risks, the AAP says children under 6 should never jump on a trampoline. If you decide to let older children use a home trampoline, the AAP recommends these rules:
- Only one child jumps at a time.
- An adult watches at all times.
- No flips or somersaults, which cause the most serious head, neck, and back injuries.
- The safety net stays zipped shut while anyone is jumping.
- Remove the ladder when the trampoline is not in use so small children cannot climb up alone.
- Install the bouncing surface as close to the ground as possible.
- Position the trampoline far away from trees, walls, buildings, and other play areas.
- Before each use, check the protective pads that cover springs, hooks, and frame parts, and inspect the net for tears or separated seams. Replace worn parts before allowing kids back on.
The AAP also cautions that trampoline parks are not necessarily safer. The larger, bouncier surfaces and higher number of jumpers increase the chances of collisions and high‑force landings. One study cited by the AAP found that people hurt in bounce parks were twice as likely to need surgery as those hurt in other settings. If you visit a trampoline park, wait until your child is at least 6 years old, avoid crowded hours, stay close, and remind them to test the surface before going all‑in.
Laying out a safe game area
Before setting up any game, walk the space and remove tripping hazards such as stones, roots, or uneven ground. Keep the play zone well away from fences, walls, trees, and other structures that a running child or adult could collide with. If you are adding permanent posts, footings, or trenches for game equipment, contact 811 a few business days before you dig to have underground utilities marked. Local building rules, permits, HOA requirements, and noise ordinances vary, so check with your local building department, fire department, or homeowners association before building anything that could affect safety or compliance.
For larger game areas, think about how the space connects to the rest of the yard. A clear, flat zone with good sight lines helps adults supervise from a distance. Our backyard layouts guide offers ideas for zoning different activities, and the outdoor games section covers more ways to set up safe, family‑friendly play.
Sun protection for long afternoons
Many backyard games stretch across the sunniest part of the day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that UV rays are strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daylight saving time, and they can reach skin on cloudy and cool days as well. The CDC recommends checking the UV Index; when it is 3 or higher, take steps to protect your skin.
Seek shade under an umbrella, tree, or other shelter, but do not rely on shade alone. Wear tightly woven long sleeves and pants when practical, or a T‑shirt or beach cover‑up. A hat with a brim all the way around shades the face, ears, and back of the neck. Sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays protect the eyes. Apply a broad‑spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher to all exposed skin before going outside, and reapply it after two hours or after swimming, sweating, or toweling off. Sunscreen is not recommended for babies younger than 6 months; the CDC says to keep infants out of the sun during midday and use protective clothing if they must be outside.
Recognizing heat illness
On hot, humid days, the body can struggle to cool itself. The National Weather Service (NWS) describes three levels of heat‑related illness to watch for during long afternoons of play.
Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms, usually in the legs or abdomen, with heavy sweating. Apply firm pressure or gently massage the muscle, and offer small sips of water unless the person feels nauseous. Seek medical attention if cramps last longer than one hour.
Heat exhaustion brings heavy sweating, weakness, cool and clammy skin, a fast weak pulse, dizziness, nausea, or headache. Move the person to a cooler place, loosen clothing, apply cool wet cloths or have them sit in a cool bath, and offer sips of water. If vomiting occurs, symptoms worsen, or they last longer than one hour, get medical help.
Heat stroke is a severe emergency. Symptoms include a throbbing headache, confusion, slurred speech, nausea, dizziness, a body temperature above 103°F, hot red dry or damp skin, a rapid strong pulse, and possible loss of consciousness. The NWS says to call 911 immediately, move the person to a cooler environment, and lower body temperature with cool cloths or a bath. Do not give fluids. Using a fan can make someone hotter if heat index temperatures are above the 90s.
Lightning: when thunder roars, go indoors
Thunderstorms can develop quickly during outdoor gatherings. The National Weather Service says there is little you can do to reduce your risk outdoors in a thunderstorm, and that the safe action is to get inside a safe building or vehicle. Open‑sided picnic shelters, tents, and dugouts offer no protection. Once you are in a safe place, wait 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder before returning outside. This rule applies whether you are at a beach, a ball field, a campsite, or your own backyard.
If you are planning a larger event, the NWS recommends having a lightning safety plan and, for groups, proven professional lightning detection equipment that can alert everyone when lightning is nearing the site. For more on preparing your outdoor space for changing weather, see our seasonal backyard preparation guide and the outdoor entertainment essentials checklist.
A quick safety checklist
Before the next round of games, run through these points:
- Search storage areas for old lawn darts and destroy any you find.
- If a trampoline is present, confirm that only one child jumps at a time, an adult is watching, the net is zipped, the ladder is removed when idle, and all pads are intact.
- Walk the play area and clear tripping hazards. Keep the zone away from walls, trees, and other structures.
- Check the UV Index and plan shade, clothing, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher.
- Know the signs of heat cramps, exhaustion, and stroke, and have a plan to cool down and get help.
- Monitor the sky. At the first rumble of thunder, move everyone indoors or into a vehicle and wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before resuming play.
- If you are digging for game posts or footings, contact 811 a few business days ahead. Confirm any local permit or HOA rules before building permanent structures.
For more ideas on safe outdoor activities, browse our outdoor games collection and the broader backyard entertainment section. If you are adding a deck or gazebo to your game area, our deck planning article and gazebo guide can help you think through safety and placement.
Frequently asked questions
Are old lawn darts really that dangerous?
Yes. The CPSC banned them after three child deaths and continues to warn about skull punctures and brain injuries. Even if a set looks harmless, the heavy tips can cause serious harm. Destroy any you find and do not give them away.
Can my child use a trampoline if I supervise closely?
The AAP recommends that kids avoid recreational trampolines entirely. If you still choose to let older children jump, supervision is essential, but it does not eliminate the risk. Following all the AAP’s rules (one jumper at a time, no flips, net zipped, ladder removed, and proper placement) reduces some dangers, yet injuries can still happen even with an adult watching.
What should I do if someone shows signs of heat stroke during a game?
Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Call 911 immediately. While waiting for help, move the person to a cooler place and lower their body temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath. Do not give them fluids. The NWS warns that a fan can make things worse if the heat index is above the 90s.
For more safe play ideas and setup tips, visit our outdoor games section.
