Kids playing outside - Parenting question

[mjkacmom]

I'm going to say 4 or 5, depending on the child. Our back yard is fenced, and our front yard is on a little hill (4 steps to get to it). However, if they were playing with balls, I was usually out there, because I was afraid they'd chase them into the street.

Mine were rarely alone out there - they played together most of the time.

 

[EMode]

I think it was around 5 but its been a long time so I can't remember.
I'm actually more nervous letting them out on their own now becuase we have a few idiot speed racers in the neighborhood and I've seen one of my neighbors texting while driving down the street.
My kids were safer IN the front yard

 

[Ginny Favers]

When I was a kid I used to stay outside until past dark, playing, probably before I was 6 years old.

Today, we live in the back of a very safe, closed neighborhood, that gets very little traffic. But I still won't let DD4 and DD7 play out in the front yard. Not since there was talk of a car coming around our neighborhood, trying to pick up little kids, a couple years ago. They've had the "stranger" talk, too, but I just don't want to risk it. We have a nice backyard, anyway.

 

[kkandaj]

Last summer (5 and 7) was the first year I let our kids play in the front of the house alone. They have played in the backyard (fenced) since they were probably 3 and 5.

I do not let them go in anyones' homes, other than our neighbor right beside us that I grew up with. I do not know the other parents of kids on our street very well--I swear one of the dads is always high. There is also a 9 yr old girl down the street that shows signs of sexual abuse (acting out sexual acts when with younger boys alone) so I am very cautious.

 

[HappyTogether]

It depends on the child. By age 7, my only was riding her bike to the park/pool (for swim team practice) a mile away.

 

[DopeyDame]

DS will be 5 in a few weeks. I let him into the fenced backyard by himself, but I'm still hesitant about the front yard. I suspect this summer I'll let him in the front yard if he wants. Certainly if there are other kids outside I'll let him go ride bikes with them on our block (but only on our dead end block).

 

[Nola Girl]

We live on such a busy street. (It has direct access to the interstate service road.) My baby turned19 in January and he still is not allowed to play in the front yard. Lol!
It really depends on where you live!

 

[Andtototoo]

DS will be 5 in a few weeks. I let him into the fenced backyard by himself, but I'm still hesitant about the front yard. I suspect this summer I'll let him in the front yard if he wants. Certainly if there are other kids outside I'll let him go ride bikes with them on our block (but only on our dead end block).

Please teach your child about always always always stopping and looking before you go into the actual street.

I too live on a dead end with only 6 houses and it's a freaking miracle that the kid next door is still alive. He regularly runs into the street and worst of all, darts out from between cars, without looking. I've heard the squeal of too many brakes/tires and I know that it's a matter of time before that kid is nothing more than a greasy spot on the road. (The parents have been talked to by neighbors and the cops and have done nothing.)