Concussion Safety for Kids

Start a conversation with your child about playing safe and smart!

We know keeping your children safe is a top priority. However, sometimes it can be hard to know how to talk to your child about concussion or other serious brain injury.

Whether you are a coach, school professional, healthcare provider, teacher, or parent, it’s important to have the right tools to prevent concussions and traumatic brain injury on and off the field.

CDC developed a mobile game app, called “HEADS UP Rocket Blades,” to help teach concussion safety in a kid-friendly way to children ages 6 to 8. This innovative app can help you start a conversation with your child about concussion safety. Through a futuristic world of galactic racing adventures, children can learn the benefits of playing it safe and smart!

The app can help you teach children:

• Hitting your head can cause a brain injury called a concussion,
• To tell a coach, parent, or another adult if they hit their head,
• The importance of seeing a doctor if your brain is hurt, and resting before returning to play, and that
• Helmets alone cannot prevent concussions.

3-2-1 BLAST OFF!

Children want to hear from you about concussion safety! Have your child play the HEADS UP Rocket Blades game and chat with him or her about their experience with the game.

• If you see that your child is winning the game, take a moment to congratulate him or her.
• Ask what happens to Rocket Blades players when they hit their heads in the game, such as: Do their brains get hurt? How do the players feel? What should players do if they don’t feel well?
• When Rocket Blades players have concussion symptoms in the game (such as blurry vision or slower reaction time), talk to your child about concussion symptoms, what happens when the Rocket Blades players hit their head in the game, and why it is important for the player to sit out and rest.
• Talk to your child about the role of helmets in the game and in real life. Remind him or her that helmets are a very important way to keep their brain safe and they should always wear safety gear when playing. However, just like the players in the game, children in real life can get a concussion even if they are wearing a helmet and they should avoid hits to the head even when wearing a helmet.

Download the HEADS UP Rocket Blades App for Free

Download the HEADS UP Rocket Blades at no cost . (The app is currently only available in the Apple App Store. An Android version of the app is coming soon.)

Parents and Coaches: Kids want to hear from you about concussion safety.

• Download a handout on concussion to share with your kids [4.84 MB]
• Get tips for talking to your kids about concussion [3.87 MB]

To learn more about concussion and how to help get concussion safety information on every sideline, go to cdc.gov/HEADSUP.

You can also hear from CDC experts and join the conversation about concussion safety at facebook.com/CDCHEADSUP.