What REALLY lives on your child’s hands after a visit to the playground: Microbiologist discovers thousands of bacteria lurking on kids’ palms after a one-hour session

A trip to the playground is something that most children and parents look forward to.

But new tests may keep you from heading to your local park anytime soon.

A microbiologist has shared alarming results after testing how clean children’s playgrounds are.

Tim Cole, 32, from Utah, revealed how thousands of bacteria can be found lurking on children’s hands after just one hour on the playground.

Horrified viewers rushed to the comments section to share their thoughts on the video, with one joking: “This is why I sanitize their hands immediately after playing.”

Tim made this strange discovery by comparing the amount of bacteria on a child’s hand before and after one hour on the playground

Mr Cole often brings bad news for germaphobes, having previously made headlines for sharing shocking details about everything from hand dryers to kitchen sinks.

A microbiologist often tests commonly used products and surfaces for bacteria.

In his latest experiment, the scientist, who has more than 270,000 followers, wanders around stadiums in a TikTok clip that has received more than 287,700 views and 20,000 likes.

Tim made this strange discovery by comparing the amount of bacteria on a child’s hand before and after one hour on the playground.

He first tests his hand before visiting the stadium, on a petri dish, before waiting 10 minutes – and discovering a few bacterial colonies.

The microbiologist then shows the child the items he has played on, including climbing on toy rocks, sliding down slides, and enjoying wood chips.

An hour later, the little boy places his hand in another petri dish, which Tim takes home and examines.

Then he found thousands of bacterial colonies, as well as large patches of fungi.

“I wanted to film a video on the playground to prove that bacteria are everywhere. I felt the playground would be a fun way to show that,” Tim told NeedToKnow.co.uk.

The microbiologist displays items the child has played on, including climbing rocks, sliding down slides and enjoying wood chips

Tim Cole, 32, from Utah, is often bad news for germaphobes, having previously made headlines for sharing shocking details about everything from hand dryers to kitchen sinks.

“My goal was to be able to show the tremendous amount of growth after going to a high-traffic site.

“By taking this photo, I wanted to emphasize the importance of washing hands after visiting places like this.

“I expected to see a lot of bacterial growth, and I noticed a lot of bacterial growth.”

Many viewers responded to the video with disgust.

“As if my anxiety level wasn’t already through the roof at the playgrounds,” one user wrote, while another added: “My two-year-old doesn’t come home without licking his fingers at some point.”

Others took a more playful approach, with one saying their “hands will never feel clean again,” and another adding: “He’ll have a well-trained immune system.”

Tim has conducted multiple experiments over the years.

“The cleanest thing I’ve tested that surprised me is the fuel pumps at gas stations,” he added.

“I thought it would be full of bacteria because of the amount of use, but I was surprised to see very little growth, with only five colonies growing.”