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Original poster

Do your kids play out unsupervised?

55 replies

Tabletoppp · 13/09/2020 13:09

Started another thread this morning asking where to move to where the kids still play out! Got some interesting responses on the type of living which make it more possible (estates etc).

But wondering - do your kids play out unsupervised? Is this still happening?

So sad for my kids that they don’t. And wish they could!

OP posts:
Stripedarmchair · 13/09/2020 14:37

Nope. Lots of the kids round here do and they roam the estate causing trouble out of sight of their parents and putting themselves in some dangerous situations. Those are the only kids she could play with round here so it’s a hard no. If we lived in a nicer safer area though I like to think I’d let her play out.

nettytree · 13/09/2020 14:37

Mine did from age 8. We got her a phone so I could always be in contact.

hopeforlucky3 · 13/09/2020 14:37

My 5yr old played out in the scheme where we used to live. I know everyone who lives there, extended family, small town.

We have more recently moved to an area where I don't know anyone and ds is confined to our garden. All the kids in the area are older than him, I don't think I'll be letting him out unattended for a few years.

I think it depends on the area you live.

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Families
ivykaty44 · 13/09/2020 14:43

I let mine play out from 5 & 7 and they loved the freedom

It was instilled into them never ever go into anyone’s house regardless no exceptions or get into a car with anyone

I had my dd1 ring me to ask if she could get in the car with a neighbour and I said no... he rang me to query this ( he’s high up in police) and I said you can on this occasion 😁

It’s good for them and I encouraged walking to school and back

ivykaty44 · 13/09/2020 14:46

My local area has recently built a few very small estates and all have play areas and are multiple cul de sacs which are great for children to socialise

Grrretel · 13/09/2020 14:48

Yes, age 6 or 7 onwards.

Lollyneenah · 13/09/2020 14:52

No. Have an 8 year old but on a busy road with pubs/train station etc either side. We always have her pals round to play though so I dont feel shes missing out

VioletCharlotte · 13/09/2020 14:56

Mine always played out when they were younger and all the children (from about 5 and above) where we live play out all the time. We live on a 70's estate which has lots of traffic free areas though and we front on to a green, so it's pretty safe. It does really depend on where you live.

DinosApple · 13/09/2020 14:56

Only from 9/10 round here.
I love it, it's the only child free time I get, and they get freedom (there's woods a minute away). At first they had to check in every 30 minutes, now they can come and go as they please.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 13/09/2020 16:10

DS is 7 so no. He won't be allowed until he's 10/11 I think, although I won't be comfortable with it as it's not that safe where we lived. A boy was attacked on the park last night and had his skull fractured.

Dementedswan · 13/09/2020 16:13

My dc are 8 and 10, they play out with neighbours children. Our houses circle a large green so at any point someone can see them.

PaperMonster · 13/09/2020 16:32

Yes. Been playing out unsupervised since she started school, this seems to be what others do. She’s 9 now.

LadyCatStark · 13/09/2020 16:35

We e just moved to a new build estate that’s actually just one cul-ds-sac. DS (11) can finally play out with other children! The whole street play out from age 5 to 15. There must be at least 20 children!

eddiemairswife · 13/09/2020 16:46

Refreshing to hear the majority opinions on here. Up to now I had the impression that all Mumsnet children were closely supervised and not let out alone until at least 14 years old.

PlateTectonics · 13/09/2020 17:09

Mine don't as their friends don't live close enough.

RedskyAtnight · 13/09/2020 17:32

That's the beauty of playing out though PlateTectonics - you just play with "whoever's there" - whether they are your particular friends or not.

Sockmonster23 · 13/09/2020 18:06

No mine are 3,4 and 7 and only garden and I watch them all the time even if it’s form my window but I see where they are at all times, my area isn’t the safest but I see small kids at the end of the road On their own, too many speeding cars , praying I get out of here soon. There is a park (rough) nearby and I’ve even Small kids being Watched by maybe kids of 8-9 and no parents but I wouldn’t let mine with kids that age unsupervised either.

NeutralJanet · 13/09/2020 18:14

You just play with "whoever's there" - whether they are your particular friends or not

That depends on the nature of the child as well, though. Where we used to live, DD didn't know the local children, they all went to the local school where DD attended one slightly further away, and she's quite shy so wouldn't go and speak to a gang of unfamiliar kids. Where we live now she has a couple of school friends nearby so is happy to play out with them.

Sheknowsaboutme · 13/09/2020 18:15

Of course they do.

They are 18, 16 and 12.

PlateTectonics · 13/09/2020 20:53

We live out in the sticks Redskyatnight - there aren't any kids who live close enough to play out with.

theviewfromhalfwaydown · 14/09/2020 06:36

Mine play out unsupervised they are 9, 12 and 15. I've let them play out since about the age of 8 youngest went out younger with my oldest but never for long. We live on an estate where all the kids play together and I often end up with extras for dinner.

Dauphinois · 14/09/2020 06:41

Yes, from about 8 or 9. We live in a rural village where everyone knows everyone.

lifestooshort123 · 14/09/2020 06:53

I'm surprised how many really young children play out. Apart from those in the cul-de-sac with 20 kids of all ages (glad I don't live there !) are the 6-yr olds totally unsupervised? No, I'm not surprised, I'm shocked.

caughtalightsneeze · 14/09/2020 06:55

My older child played out with friends from the age of about 4. And by played out, I mean they played in our adjoining front gardens (modern estate, no walls allowed between gardens), not that they roamed the streets. She had grown out of it by the end of primary school, and now she's a teenager there is no way I'd let her wander round the village aimlessly, as many of the kids she was friends with at primary school (and who were perfectly nice when they were younger) are absolute nightmares now.

My son rarely played out as there were very few others his age to play with. He's 9 and I let him out with friends for the first time not that long ago and he was punched by a 15 year old, just for a laugh. Hilarious. So that's the end of that.

theviewfromhalfwaydown · 14/09/2020 06:56

@lifestooshort123 where I live I've seen children as young as 4. The back of my flats have an exit at each end of a communal garden and the parents just let them out to wander around. They live at the top of the block so I don't know how they can be watching them.