Safety Tips for Booking a Private Play Space

You're trusting a stranger's backyard with your kids for an afternoon. Here's what to actually check before you book, and what Hopscotch already checks for you.

What Hopscotch checks before a listing goes live

Every host goes through identity verification and a background check before their listing can be published — you'll see a "Verified host" badge on listings where that's complete. Every booking also includes a protection fee that funds damage and liability coverage, in case something goes wrong during your visit.

What to look at on the listing itself

• The safety checklist. Every listing includes the host's own answers on fencing (full, partial, or none), whether there's a pool or other water feature and how it's secured, the condition and age-appropriateness of any play equipment, and whether other people or pets might be present during your booking. Read it before you book, not after you arrive.
• The photos. Look for photos of the actual play area, the fencing, and any water features — not just a flattering wide shot of the yard.
• The reviews. Past guests rate each space on cleanliness, accuracy (does it match the listing?), check-in, communication, location, and value, on top of an overall rating. A space with detailed, recent reviews is one you can trust more than one with none.
• The house rules. Hosts can set their own rules for their space — shoes off on certain surfaces, which areas are off-limits, and so on. You'll confirm you've read them before you check out.

While you're there

• Stay with your kids. A parent or guardian is expected to stay on-site for the entire booking — Hopscotch isn't drop-off childcare, and host spaces aren't staffed or childproofed the way a professional facility would be.
• Do a quick walk-through when you arrive. Confirm the fencing is intact, gates latch, and anything the listing mentioned (a pool, a trampoline, play equipment) looks the way it was described.
• Message your host if anything's off. Every booking has its own message thread — use it if something doesn't match the listing or you have a safety question once you're there.

If something goes wrong

You can report a problem from your bookings page after any visit, and our team will follow up. Your review of the space is also blind — it stays private until the host submits theirs too, or 14 days pass — so you can be honest about what you experienced without worrying about the host seeing it first and reacting in the moment.

Ready to find a space that fits what you're looking for? Browse spaces near you.