At what age can you let your children play outside on their own?
With lighter evenings, more youngsters will be wanting to go outdoors and some may ask to play out independently. But when's the right time to allow them to do that?
Some parents say they were happy to let their kids out on their own from the age of six or seven, though this was in a safe environment, such as cul-de-sacs where they could be watched. Others have waited till their children were a bit older.
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According to the NSPCC, there’s no legal age limit for a child to go out alone. However, it’s against the law to leave a child alone if it puts them at risk. Parents can be prosecuted if they leave a child unsupervised "in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health."
The charity says: "Every child is different, so it’s up to you to decide whether they’re ready." And there are a few things to bear in mind to help you make your decision.
For example, do you think they’re old enough? How long could they cope on their own? Can they deal with risks and will they behave responsibly? The following points are also worth keeping in mind.
- Where do they want to go?
- What do they want to do?
- Who will they be with?
- How far will they travel?
- What time will they be out?
The NSPCC has a lot more advice on helping you to make a decision. You can read their guide here.
Meanwhile, parents have often spoken about the age at which they let their children play out alone. Several social media sites and parenting forums have discussion threads about this.
This question has also been raised on Mumsnet in the past. In one chat, a mum said: "I was thinking about this the other day. I remember as a kid being out all the time. I would walk to my nan's house who was a 20 min walk away whilst I was still in single digits.
"Yet, I’m not comfortable letting my 7 and 9 year old walk to school alone or go to the park. Both a 15-20 walk away. With one road to cross that gets a maximum of 20 cars a day going down it.
"We literally live in the middle of nowhere and I still don’t feel safe letting them wander like I did. I know we are a lot more clued up now than we used to be…but what changed really? Why have we now accepted that kids can’t go out on their own to learn their own independence? Years ago, we didn’t have phones. It was come home when the lights go on."
Lots of people responded by relating their own decisions. One wrote: "My youngest has been playing out since about 3/4. We live on a green though that is full of nice kids and neighbours who watch them like hawks, I’m in my front garden whenever the weather is nice so it’s me doing the majority of childcare for usually 5-15 kids. He’s 6 now and is hardly ever in the house."
Another said: "Mine (7 and 10) can ride their bikes up and down the quiet cul de sac or play football at the end of it. 10 year old got a phone for his birthday and he is now allowed to walk to the local park (short walk away) to play with friends. I live a in a little village in the countryside so all feels safe."
A third added: "We started letting our 7 year old play out this summer. But we live on a smallish new build estate. She is only allowed to go to friends who live on the estate so no roads to cross etc. And she has to come and tell us who's garden or house she is in, they don't just play on the street."
One mum commented: "My DS (dear son) is 6.5 and will not be playing out any time soon. It’s not worth the risk. I live in a nice enough area and it’s very rare to see a child out unaccompanied. In the town centre there’s loads hanging about causing trouble though, probably aged about 5 and up!"
However, other parents were prepared to wait longer. "My dear son, who is very sensible but small for his age, 11. He didn't want to go before then anyway," said one.
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