Play Areas

[momof2sn]

My daughter got her Dx on May 1st of this year, so I am new to alot of this. I was wanting to know from you other moms if you take your celiac kids to places like Chuck E Cheese, or McDonalds play land? Are they safe? I have a son that is not celiac and I feel we don't got to alot of places we used to before his sisters Dx. I just feel that there has to be gluten all over those places and didn't know if I should attempt it? Pleas Help!

[snomnky]

I wouldn't and don't take my son to any of those places, touching anything that has gluten on it then putting his hand or a piece of food in his mouth is enough to make him sick, I stay safe and stay away from kid places that allow food. We do have some fun places around that don't allow food on equipment and i just wash his hands after he plays.

[Nic]

I have allowed my son to play in these places. Providing everyone is following the rules, no food should be in the actually play equipment so the only risk is if someone with gluteny hands touches what your child touches first but that would go with anything. The same would apply to kids at a play ground. How many times do you see children eating snacks at a park and then going on the play equipment? We have never had a problem playing at McDonalds or Burger King. We don't go to Chuck E Cheese really unless it is a birthday party because there is nothing safe for him to eat, but I don't worry so much about the games there being safe to touch.

Nicole

[Kibbie]

My daughter is 2 now and I would let her play on playscapes.

A kid's gotta live ya know, what fun is childhood with out play? besides I believe that it is important for my daughter to be around other kids when they are eating gluten (before she gets to school) this way I can teach her how she needs to deal with issues such as cross contamination, the importances of washing hands,and not sharing food with other kids. The more practice she has with my guidance before she goes off and has to deal with this on my own the better she will be at handling it!

My rules:

At a playscape like McDonalds:

1. She can only play AFTER she has eaten and She must wash her hands before and after playing.

2. (remember she is 2 and still puts things in her mouth occasionally) if she puts something in her mouth she can not play anymore

That being said we don't go to these places at all... I just don't eat fast food period. A few places we go to do have outdoor playscapes and I let her play there... even if other kids are eating while on the playscape. Same rules apply and I have never had issues (but I watch her very carefully to make sure... it is by no means relaxing for me!)

[taweavmo3]

Well, we went to Chuck E. Cheese on Saturday to meet some family. My little girl, the most sensitive Celiac, still ended up getting sick despite hand washing. I probably should have washed her hands several times while we were there, but I only washed them when we were heading home. The next day she had a stomache and her head hurt. I knew it was risky (we didn't eat anything there, not even drinks) but she wanted to see her little cousins so bad.

It is a really tough call, especially for the sensitive kiddos. But on the other hand, you also still want them to be able to participate in activities with their friends and family. I think I'll still go to these places (although we won't make a habit of it) and I'll be more vigilant with the hand washing next time.

[momof2sn]

Well, we went to Chuck E. Cheese on Saturday to meet some family. My little girl, the most sensitive Celiac, still ended up getting sick despite hand washing. I probably should have washed her hands several times while we were there, but I only washed them when we were heading home. The next day she had a stomache and her head hurt. I knew it was risky (we didn't eat anything there, not even drinks) but she wanted to see her little cousins so bad.

It is a really tough call, especially for the sensitive kiddos. But on the other hand, you also still want them to be able to participate in activities with their friends and family. I think I'll still go to these places (although we won't make a habit of it) and I'll be more vigilant with the hand washing next time.

Thanks everyone for your help!!! I feel kids have to live too, but then I am not sure how much is to much. I am lucky that my daughter is not too sensitive, or maybe I haven't figured out when she is being glutened. I just feel bad for one having celiac and one not, I guess they both have to make sacrifices for each other!!