Neighborhood and school playgrounds are places that kids play, get fit and make friends. Individuals expect playgrounds to be safe and clean environments for children to play in. However, too many playgrounds across America have unsafe play equipment and are not well-maintained. Some may pose environmental health hazards such as the ones discussed in this guide. Children are more vulnerable to environmental health hazards because their bodies are still growing. Proportionally, they eat, drink, and breathe more per pound of body weight than adults. Children like to explore, which can expose them to more environmental threats than adults. But, they also do not know how to identify and protect themselves from these hazards. This guide discusses the following: what parents and schools can do to ensure safety in playgrounds; current federal and state laws governing toxic playground materials; and health concerns associated with each type of risk.