Experts Say Indoor Playgrounds Pose Manageable Health Risks With Proper Hygiene

Indoor play centers, or "gymboris," are popular among parents, especially during hot summer days, offering children a safe, air-conditioned environment to play and socialize. However, concerns about hygiene and illness transmission persist, as these venues are often crowded, noisy, and involve shared surfaces that may harbor bacteria and viruses. Sivan Harpez, a mother of four from Netanya, shared her experience of her son falling ill after multiple visits, attributing it to the playground's hygiene conditions and lack of visible cleaning staff.

Medical experts provide a nuanced perspective on these concerns. Dr. Dror Weiner, a pediatrician with Meuhedet Health Services, acknowledges the benefits of gymboris for children's sensory and physical development but emphasizes that health risks depend on the cleanliness and maintenance of each facility. He highlights that the main issue is not the mere presence of germs but the combination of crowding, sick children, and insufficient hygiene practices.

Dr. Moran Shapler Gal from Maccabi Healthcare Services echoes this view, noting that bacteria exist everywhere, including playgrounds and public spaces. She points out that the risk of infection is actually higher in kindergartens, where children spend longer hours in close contact. Both doctors recommend avoiding visits when children are sick, choosing well-ventilated and clean venues, and enforcing handwashing after play. They also advise against eating inside play areas to reduce the ingestion of germs.

Ultimately, the experts agree that for healthy children, the developmental and social benefits of gymboris outweigh the risks, provided parents and staff maintain good hygiene standards. Dr. Shapler Gal concludes that with proper precautions, children can safely enjoy indoor play centers without significant risk of illness.