How old were your kids when they started "playing out?"

Spendless

Eldest was 7.5 as it co-incided with the park across the road being re-furbed. Both mine were told that if I thought they were at x place, they needed to ask if they could go to y place, to stop them going to someone's house without me knowing where they were.

cutestkids

eliviajen wrote: »

We are having exactly the same dilemma at the moment - we have just moved onto a cul-de-sac filled with kids! and our daughter (7) is nagging to go out to play

So yesterday I let her... I was in the kitchen so I could clearly see her whilst I was washing the dishes, however she didnt dare go up to the grassy bit at the top where there was three other children playing as she didnt know them, and was skipping and playing hopscotch on our driveway

Until about 5 minutes or so later when she came running back in, apparently a cat with long teeth was looking at her funny! ... She hasnt nagged to go out today!

She's a pretty social creature really and makes new friends quickly, but I think she was being overly cautious about approaching the other children as she knew I was watching her every move

We might try again tommorow, We know everybody in the street as its a close knit community and we havent moved far its just some children go to the local school and some go the c of e school about 5 miles away so she wont know everyone.

Im interested as to everyone elses opinion on this... Children at the local school can leave school without an adult from year 3, so only a couple of months really for our daughter :eek:

At our school they are allowed from year 3 as well or from year 2 if going with an older sibling.

valk_scot

Does Year 3 in England mean about seven years old? If so that's when our school allowed them out the school gate solo.

balletshoes

valk_scot wrote: »

Does Year 3 in England mean about seven years old? If so that's when our school allowed them out the school gate solo.

yes, kids are 7 or 8 in year 3.

alwaysbrassic

Gosh, I get cold sweats at the thought if my two playing out! Oldest (ds) is 5, but I think she is a long way from being ready!
On the same note, whilst going to my mums the other day there were 3 year olds playing out by themselves, not a parent in sight!!:eek:

marisco_2

I live in a quiet road which has a number of families living here. My sons, who are 7 and 10, play outside with a group of about 12 children. They range in age from around 6 to 12 years. When they are outside I can keep a good eye on them from the lounge window.

The older ones keep an eye on the littlies and call out if a car is coming. They all play really nicely on their bikes, scooters and make up their own games. I am friendly with the other kids mums and dads and all the kids are welcome at each others houses.

I tend to have a bit of a housefull of kids a couple of nights a week for an hour or so after school. It is busy and chaotic but I wouldn't have it any other way. I want to instill in my boys that our home is where they and their friends are always welcome.

mummyroysof3

My eldest will be8 soon and has never asked to play out. We live on a busy road so I wouldn't be happy for him to tbh.

flower24

My children are 6 and a half and 5. No chance they are playing out any time soon. We live on a cul de sac but its quite a large one. There are kids from further up the estate the same age as my eldest who have been playing out for ages they end up on our street which is quite a way from their home and definitely not in sight from their houses. I've had them shoot across the road in front of my car before. We have a large garden, it needs some work, but once it is sorted out it'll be great, no need for them to play on the street.