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Our pre school takes the kids across the street to a playground and allows them to play on the jungle gym/castle, in the snow. It’s a metal and plastic jungle gym with stairs, platforms, slides, a couple sides without safety rails, etc
It’s kind of wet and icy out now, 4-6 inches of snow on the ground. The kids are in coats, mittens, hats, snow pants and snow boots.
There’s about 2 teachers for every 12-15 kids. Would you feel comfortable letting them run up and down a jungle gym in these conditions?
But on an icy jungle gym, wet boots, and no safety rails? Do you drive by parks and see kids on jungle gyms when it's snowing?
They go to this jungle gym often so it's familiar, regardless of safety rails. There are people watching for slips and falls just as there always are. If they happen, they can respond. Kids need to learn how to handle themselves in less than perfect conditions. Kids will learn that they need to adjust their behavior instead of relying on safety rails.
Turn 'em loose in the snow!
How in God's name did the prior generations survive all these hazards back in the day and lived to tell about it?
Fresh air, creative play, and the elements are a good thing!
But on an icy jungle gym, wet boots, and no safety rails? Do you drive by parks and see kids on jungle gyms when it's snowing?
Yes. I live in Milwaukee. My kids play outside on the playground every day during recess. We currently have over a foot of snow and had freezing rain a few days ago.
Our school doesn't cancel recess until the wind chill hits -15F, so there are many months of recess in the snow, ice, and snow melt. Somehow, the kids survive.
It's better for kids to learn balance on ice and snow when they are young.
Yes. Underneath the snow is the same padding (either that astroturf stuff or woodchips/sand/whatever) that is always there, right? And plus, they're wearing snowsuits... they are well-padded. If there was a thick layer of ice on the ground, I imagine the kids would not be playing on it. Wet/snowy playground equipment should be no problem. Today's modern jungle gyms are not 20 feet high without safety rails... how far could they really fall, four feet?
I'd be more concerned about frostbite if it is truly freezing out. I wouldn't want my kids playing outdoors if it was 15 below out. That sounds crazy and dangerous to me... I grew up in New England and I don't remember when recess was canceled for cold weather, but I am positive it wasn't below zero. Maybe 20 degrees or something. But my nostrils didn't freeze during recess, and that happens at around 0 degrees.
Probably safer with all that padding on than in summer. They're more likely to slip and fall, but less likely to get hurt. I'd only really worry about a head injury from hitting the jungle gym on the way down when falling due to climbing in mittens and snowy boots. But if they're wearing hats that would reduce the severity of most conks.
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If there was a thick layer of ice on the ground, I imagine the kids would not be playing on it. Wet/snowy playground equipment should be no problem. Today's modern jungle gyms are not 20 feet high without safety rails... how far could they really fall, four feet? 
