COVID-19 can look different in different people. People can get a fever, cough, or have a hard time taking deep breaths. Most people who have gotten COVID-19 have not gotten very sick. Only a small group of people who get it have had more serious problems. CDC and partners are investigating cases of multi system inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19. Learn more about COVID-19 and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C)

Take steps to protect children and others

Follow these everyday preventive actions and tips to help children stay healthy.

Clean hands often using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid people who are sick (coughing and sneezing).
Put distance between your children and other people outside of your home. Keep children at least 6 feet from other people.
Children 2 years and older should wear a face covering over their nose and mouth when in public settings where it's difficult to practice social distancing.
Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily in household common areas (like tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilets, and sinks).
Launder items including washable plush toys as needed, using the warmest appropriate water setting, if possible, and dry items completely.
Make sure your children are up to date on well-child visits and immunizations.

Limit time with people at highest risk of severe illness from COVID-19

If others in your home have an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, consider extra precautions to separate your child from those people.
If you are unable to stay home with your child while school is out, carefully consider who might be best positioned to provide child care. If someone at higher risk for COVID-19 will be providing care (older adult, such as a grandparent or someone with a chronic medical condition), limit your children's contact with other people.
Consider postponing visits or trips to see older family members and grandparents.

Limit in person playtime with other children, and connect virtually if possible

CDC recognizes this pandemic has been stressful to many and that socializing and interacting with peers can be a healthy way for children to cope with stress and connect with others. However, the key to slowing the spread of COVID-19 is to limit close contact as much as possible. It is important to understand potential risks and measures that you can take to protect yourself and your family.

An important guiding principle to remember is that the more people children interact with, and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread. While children may be spending time with other people as they return to daycare or school settings, it is important to remember that exposure to additional children and adults outside of daycare or school should be managed to decrease risk.

For play dates, the risk of COVID-19 increases as follows:

Lowest risk: No in-person play dates. Children connect virtually (via phone calls and video chats).
Medium risk: Infrequent play dates with the same family or friend who is also practicing everyday preventive measures. Children maintain a distance of 6 feet from each other during the play date. Play dates should be held outdoors, if possible. Indoor spaces are more risky than outdoor space where it might be harder to keep children apart and there is less ventilation.
Highest Risk: Frequent indoor play dates with multiple friends or families who are not practicing everyday preventive measures. Children do not maintain a distance of 6 feet from each other.

"Help Stop the Spread of COVID-19 in Children,"https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/children/protect-children.html

"COVID-19 Parental Resources Kit," https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/parental-resource-kit/index.html