children's safety · lyme disease · prevention · summer camps · tick prevention for families ·

The Ultimate Guide to Tick Safety for Kids

With warmer weather comes more outdoor play and an increased risk of tick bites. This is your ultimate guide to help parents keep your children safe from ticks.

Why Tick Safety Matters

Tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis, are on the rise, particularly in children who spend time playing outdoors. Since kids often explore grassy fields, wooded areas, and parks, they are at risk of encountering ticks. Proper tick prevention helps ensure kids can enjoy the outdoors this summer tick-free.

Where Kids Encounter Ticks

Children may accidentally wander into tick hot spots when playing outdoors. These pests can be found in the wooden chips of playgrounds, in the long grass of your backyard, in flower beds, and in piles of leaves. Overgrown walkways and dense undergrowth along hiking trails make it simple for ticks to attach themselves to inquisitive adventurers. Ticks can remain behind tree lines and untrimmed grass, so even well-kept parks and sports fields aren’t always safe.  Be aware in the following areas: 

  • Playgrounds – Wood chips and grass surrounding play structures can house ticks.

  • Backyards – Tall grass, garden beds, and leaf piles create perfect habitats for ticks.

  • Camps – Camps often have wooded trails and grassy fields where ticks hide.

  • Hiking Trails – Dense vegetation and overgrown paths create hiding spots for ticks.

  • Parks & Sports Fields – Even maintained parks and fields can have ticks along tree lines and untrimmed grass.

Best Prevention Methods

Using a combination of repellents, protective clothes, and routine insect inspections is crucial to keeping children safe from ticks. Light-colored clothing makes ticks easier to see, and youngsters should wear long sleeves and long pants to reduce skin exposure. Another important step is to use repellents. While DEET and picaridin-based repellents give stronger protection, natural alternatives like lemon eucalyptus oil offer a gentle defense. Lastly, a complete check-up is essential following any outdoor trip. Ticks can be prevented before they become an issue by using a comb to go through a child's hair and scalp, checking behind their ears, and teaching them how to examine their own bodies. Children can safely and confidently enjoy the outdoors when these safety measures are followed:

  • Dress Kids for Protection 

    • Dress children in long-sleeved shirts and long pants to reduce skin exposure 

    • Dress children in light colored clothing to spot ticks more easily 

    • Tuck your child’s socks into their pants

  • Use Tick Repellent 

    • Use natural repellents like lemon eucalyptus oil to protect yourself from ticks 

    • Apply chemical tick repellents that are DEET and picaridin based

  • Create a Tick-Safe Yard

    • Remove leaf litter 

    • Mow your lawn frequently 

    • Clear brush and tall grass where ticks typically hide 

  • Regular Tick Checks

    • After outdoor activities, check your child for ticks 

    • Use a comb to check your child's hair and scalp for ticks 

    • Teach your child where to check their body for ticks  

How KiDS MiTT Works

By providing parents with an easy-to-use and efficient tool to safeguard their children, KiDS MiTT eliminates the anxiety associated with tick prevention. This mitt is made to identify ticks before they connect, making it simple to remove ticks from skin and clothing before they cause an issue. Tick inspections can be made faster, more efficient, and less stressful for families by integrating KiDS MiTT into regular outdoor activities.

What to Do If You Find a Tick on Your Child 

Prompt and appropriate removal can help ward against your child contracting a tick-borne disease. Grab the tick as near to the skin as you can with fine-tipped tweezers or a specialist tick remover. To prevent the tick from breaking apart, pull upward with consistent pressure without twisting or squeezing. After removal, properly wash the bite site with soap and water before using alcohol to sterilize it. It's crucial to dispose of ticks properly, which includes flushing them down the toilet, putting them in alcohol, or sealing them in a bag. Following removal, keep an eye out for any odd symptoms in your child, such as fever, rash, exhaustion, or joint discomfort, and get medical help if they do. You can reduce the risk and protect your child if you pay close attention and do the following:

  1. Use a Tick Removal Tool – The best tick removal tool for children is fine-tipped tweezers or a specialized tick remover.

  2. Grasp & Pull – Hold the tick close to the skin and pull upward with steady pressure. Avoid twisting or squeezing.

  3. Clean the Bite Area – Wash the area with soap and water and disinfect with alcohol.

  4. Dispose of the Tick – Place it in alcohol, seal it in a bag, or flush the tick down the toilet.

  5. Monitor for Symptoms – Watch for fever, rash, fatigue, or joint pain and seek medical attention if symptoms appear. 

Stay Prepared and Take Action Before A Bite Happens

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