Safety Tips for Fairs & Carnivals

As a mother to introverted children, it’s not always fun to attend a local fair or traveling carnival but we do try to make at least one trip a year to our favorite fair. One of our favorite fairs is The Cornish Fair located in Cornish, NH.

This occurs once a week sometime in July or August, and we love seeing the animals at this 4H community fair.

When it comes to keeping our kids safe at fairs and carnivals, it hasn’t always been a smooth process. We’ve gone through the toddler stage at fairs, the baby stage at fairs, and now we’re in the teenage phase of fairs.

I haven’t had to deal with kids bringing their friends and trying to track down multiple teens, only but once perhaps in my lifetime of parenting. With that being said, I do have three children and they have a sibling bond like no other so it’s almost like tracking down three teenage friends at fairs.

If you’re looking to attend to some fairs and carnivals this year as you travel with kids, then continue reading for some of my safety tips for fairs & carnivals with kids.

These are safety tips I’ve compiled based on my own trial and error. I have major anxiety in crowds, so if you’re an anxious parent like I used to be, then you’ll enjoy my safety tips for fairs when traveling with kids even more so!

Safety Tips for Fairs & Carnivals

Make a Plan

Before you venture to a fair and carnival with kid be sure to make a plan. Discuss your expectations, rules, and any guidelines you have for the family. This will ensure everyone knows what’s expected and what the consequences will be if the rules aren’t followed.

Stay Hydrated

That hot summer heat will dehydrate you fast! I can’t tell you how many times we went to a fair or carnival with kids and sweat to death. We had to buy bottles of water to hydrate ourselves, and it got rather expensive.

Be prepared with bottles of water in your car so that you can get stamped to leave the carnival to get to your vehicle for water in between your hours at the fair and carnival with kids.

Get Wrist Bands

There are many wrist bands and leash ideas for younger kids. I’ll admit I’m against leashes for kids, as I feel a kid can learn to respect boundaries and yes we have a child on the spectrum – so we know how difficult it can be too keep a kid with special needs close by during the toddler years, but we never used a leash!

Safety For Kids Walking Product Ideas

Below you’ll find some products that parents have used to keep kids safe while walking. Again, these aren’t anything I condone or have used, but I know other parents who feel less anxious utilizing these safety devices for kids walking.

KOSIN Safe Sound Personal Alarm, 6 Pack 140DB Personal Security Alarm Keychain with LED Lights, Emergency Safety Alarm for Women, Men, Children, ElderlyAccmor Toddler Leash Harness Baby Safety Harness Leash Child Anti Lost Wrist Link Cute Kid Safety Walking Assistant Strap Tether for 1-5 Years Boys and Girls to Zoo or MallAnti Lost Wrist Link, Dr.meter Toddler Safety Leash with Key Lock, Reflective Child Walking Harness Rope Leash for Kids/Babies, 2.5M Blue + 1.5M Orange

 

What precautions can be taken while visiting a fair?

Now that I shared a few safety tips, you may be wondering what precautions can be taken while visiting a fair. The best precautions you can take is to dress for the weather conditions. This can be done by peeking at the local weather conditions before packing the kids up to travel to a fair.

Use umbrellas or hats to mask the heat of the sun. I love using visors as baseball caps tend to hold in too much heat. You’ll want sunglasses to protect your eyes from the strong UV rays the sun will beam down on you. And don’t forget my water tip to keep bottles of water in your car for hydration.

Always wash your hands after visiting the animals. I know that The Cornish Fair in Cornish, NH does have little hand sanitizer bins all over the fair to ensure guests can keep their hands clean throughout their fun and adventures during this 4H fair.

A family can have so much fun at the local fair during the summer and fall season. If you’re wondering how to stay safe, I hope that my tips will help you stay safe and avoid major parental anxiety during your next trip with kids to a fair and carnival.

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