Playgrounds have become the new ghost towns.

Throughout the country, most states plus the District of Columbia have issued “stay-at-home” orders for their residents, meaning that people should stay in their houses except for essential needs like going to the grocery store. Cities are shutting down parks, playgrounds, beaches, and other recreational areas. The CDC has even updated guidelines to recommend that everyone wear cloth masks while in public.

Which begs the question: Are kids allowed to go outside anymore? And if they are, is it even safe?

Absolutely. Thankfully, most of the stay-at-home orders consider getting outside for limited recreational time “essential.” And experts agree that as long as parents are vigilant about social distancing (maybe you’ve heard of it?), allowing kids