When is the right age to let a child play out the front?

Question

my son is 4 and he keeps asking if he can play out with his 10 and 8 year old cousins i think his way too young but my sister says i should trust him

when is the right time xx

Answer 1

Go play outside with him.  Thats what I am going to do with my kid.  As much outdoor activity as possible.  I mean I know it's hard to do with having laundry and cooking and cleaning.  But try and make time.  As long as an adult is out with them watching them no problem.

only when he is 16.  Thats so mean.  Can we say over protective. I was playing out in the woods by myself with friends and our dog when I as 11.  So I would say 11 is a fine age if you live in a safe place.

Answer 2

21

Answer 3

I belive that he is too young and it would be unfair to allow his cousins to look after him. If something happened they would feel really guilty and have to live with that for the rest of their lifes.

I cannot give you an age as I feel it depends on the individual child as to how mature/knowledgable they are for dangers, where you live as in is it a safe neighbourhood etc. Only you will know when you feel comfortable letting him out on his own

Answer 4

4 is way too young...at 10 and 8 his sisters cant be expected to look after him either...at that age kids get too distracted. Unless you can sit out and watch him, I would wait till he was at LEAST 8 or 9.

Answer 5

At the age of 4... no.  My son is 5yrs old and I worry everyday about those pedophiles and crazy people who could take my child.  At the age of 4 he doesn't know any better if someone were to scoop him up.  I would wait until he can recognize your house and address properly, phone number, and can kick and scream and call for help when someone is trying to scoop him up if that were to happen.  The right time is when they know these things....

Good Luck

Answer 6

i think 5 is OK to play outside but keep him checking on him. If hes with his cousins hes not by him self.

Answer 7

Let him but watch him so that he can learn some responsibility for his own safety while being supervised.

Answer 8

my daughters almost 8 and i still dont like her playing out i worry when shes out. my partner says its not fair on her for me to keep her in wich i suppose it isnt but i cant help worrying kids arent safe like they use 2 be when i was a kid. theres more things to worry about than her just running out onto a road! i dont really know the right age i suppose its when you feel ok with it. he should be ok with older cousins

Answer 9

Always go with your 'gut instinct'. I did and also in the lead up to letting my sons play out we talked over the rules. 'Out Front' is a big world, let him have a little bit at a time, and expand the boundaries the older and more responsible he gets.  He will flourish with this set up as there is no confusion, or decisions to be made... what Mum says goes!

Answer 10

I agree 4 is way too young, and I wouldn't trust the 8 and 10 year old to watch him out their either. I would say somebody atleast 11 or 12+  is good to watch him.

Answer 11

Trust your instincts. If you don't feel comfortable with it then don't do it.

Answer 12

nooo, please don't trust him he is very little & unpredictable & the others are too young to be fully aware of danger around him - i sometimes think my 4 year old would never do things...then he does!

I seriously wouldn't let him out of your site for  a second ...better still make them all play out back (i live surrounded by fields & i never let mine out of sight )xx

Answer 13

depends on where u live, is there many cars, is there any other adults u can trust around the area, go outside with him but mainly go with ur gut instinct

Answer 14

8

Answer 15

my daughter is 4, and she is not allowed to even go outside out in our back yard to play on our swing set UNLESS at LEAST 1 of us is there to watch her. Not only can she get hurt easily, but the way some of these kids disappears too easily, I wouldnt trust her being "by herself" withOUT adult supervision. But u gotta go with what your instincts are. If you dont think its right, or u think there may be something wrong, then dont do it.

Answer 16

a cul de sac? please, i live in the ghetto, frequent gunshots, drugs, watnot. and (i cant believe it) but everyday i see little kids that couldnt be more than 4 running around the block. nothing ever happens to them.

Answer 17

mature or not 4 year olds do not think before they act. Keep him in.Why can't his cousins play in the backyard where he can join them?

Answer 18

let him play in the front yard and watch him if you  are concerned.  if he is ready you'll know

Answer 19

i let my son play out in the front garden on his own with the door open, he is 5. i have occasionally let him go out on his bike on the street with my 9 yr old nephew when he comes over, but thats because i know he wont go too far away from the house and he wont play on the road.

only you know your kids so you will know when they are sensible enough to play out

Answer 20

my daughter is almost six and i let her play out in the neighborhood...she either checks in once in a while or i check on how they are doing...but then again i live in a small safe town...it really depends on what your neighborhood is like...