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Original poster

Kids playing outside

240 replies

Jiggy16 · 21/04/2021 20:19

Trying not to be a grouch, what time do people feel is acceptable for kids (10/15 maybe around the age 10ish?) playing outside in the evening, shouting and loud singing, sometimes with whistles.

OP posts:
Maggiesfarm · 21/04/2021 20:36

If you mean in the street, I wouldn't allow that at all but nobody's children do play in the street where I live.

I'd be OK with them in the back garden but would tell them to keep it quiet, especially late in the evening, or else tell them to come indoors and play.

Tianatiers · 21/04/2021 20:37

Maybe until 7.30pm. 8pm at a push.

ThereWasThisBoy · 21/04/2021 20:56

When their parents call them in. 🤷🏻‍♀️ There’s enough of them so that they are safe, sounds like they’re just having a bit of fun.

Christmasfairy2020 · 21/04/2021 20:59

Blush wonder if you live near me. I'd say 730. My kids play with kids up the other end of our cul de sac they play on their bikes

rainbowthoughts · 21/04/2021 21:02

@ThereWasThisBoy

When their parents call them in. 🤷🏻‍♀️ There’s enough of them so that they are safe, sounds like they’re just having a bit of fun.

This. There are too many variables to give a set answer in time. It sounds as though the problem is related to kids having fun (noise) and not the kids safety though.

megletthesecond · 21/04/2021 21:06

Until dusk. Depends if their adults are keeping an eye on them.

If they're being really noisy underneath windows I'd ask them to be a bit quieter. Otherwise I'm just glad to see and hear kids playing out and away from screens.

Original poster
Jiggy16 · 21/04/2021 21:45

Yea its right outside our windows, the layout of our street and driveway means our wall is where they congregate. I know its good to have kids playing outside it just grates on me that they aren't shouting etc outside their own houses, it's always at ours every night till 9pm now it's brighter. Can't relax in living room without hearing everything plus it keeps my kids awake. Think it's the fact it's outside our house every night. Then the kid out blowing a whistle cracks me up. Street with a lot of young families, so don't know why their parents don't take it off him!

OP posts:
ThereWasThisBoy · 21/04/2021 22:00

You need to learn to ignore it, watch tv or something. It’s nice that they play out.

Thatisnotwhatisaid · 21/04/2021 22:31

I asked my DC to come in at 8pm tonight. They wanted to go in the garden for a bit after dinner and I really didn’t mind now it’s light at that time. They didn’t make too much noise and it’s good for them to get fresh air. I’d say 9pm latest. Just stick the radio or TV on if the noise is too much.

Maggiesfarm · 22/04/2021 01:43

These children are not in their gardens, they are in the street! That is bad, I don't understand why their parents allow it. The op is not unreasonable to be annoyed by their noise and activity outside her house.

LouiseBelchersBunnyEars · 22/04/2021 01:56

Presumably they are in the street and not their own gardens, so that they can actually mingle and play together....I mean, the last year should have taught us the importance of human interaction.
Children have never really bothered me tbh, I do feel for them, they get moaned at for playing out, moaned at if they’re inside on their computers etc, they can’t win

avamiah · 22/04/2021 02:17

Do kids still play in the street ?
Before anybody takes offence let me just say that I was born and brought up in Liverpool and that is what we did years ago.
I’m in London now and kids do not play in the streets.

Susannahmoody · 22/04/2021 02:43

Whistle is unacceptable. You need to go stand outside when they're there, they'll soon get the message.

Coyoacan · 22/04/2021 03:17

I think it is lovely to hear children playing in the street. What's not to like? (apart from the whistle)

Maggiesfarm · 22/04/2021 04:46

@avamiah

Do kids still play in the street ? Before anybody takes offence let me just say that I was born and brought up in Liverpool and that is what we did years ago. I’m in London now and kids do not play in the streets.
It does happen in some areas I've driven through. I never played in the street when I was a child, it was back garden or the park, same for my friends and relatives. My mother wouldn't have allowed it anyway. My children didn't play in the street but nobody did around my way. What the op has to put up with is reason enough for children not to.
ChocOrange1 · 22/04/2021 05:03

Go and ask them to move, most people including children/teenagers are pretty reasonable if you approach them and ask them to do something reasonable.

And to answer your question probably 8.30ish

SD1978 · 22/04/2021 05:18

Have you lived there long? I can't see this being anything other than a regular occurrence with you've got a 'natural' congregating spot. Have a time you're comfortable with, and I guess you can then ask them to move on after that time- but if it's 'only' until 9- whilst it would drive me nuts I don't you'd have much recourse really

ThereWasThisBoy · 22/04/2021 06:33

You need to go stand outside when they're there, they'll soon get the message.

😬 I think they’d just think you were a bit strange if you did this.

Tinyspiky · 22/04/2021 06:42

These children are not in their gardens, they are in the street! That is bad, I don't understand why their parents allow it

EhConfused. Why is it bad? Children play out, it's called childhood.
OP you live in a street with lots of families, children playing out is to be expected. One day it will be your children annoying the neighbours. I'm actually aghast that you're a parent complaining about children playing when they've just been locked up for the best part of a year.
Oh and kids round here play out till dusk.

roguetomato · 22/04/2021 06:52

Tinyspiky, if they are out in the street and not in the garden, small children aren't supervised. That is not good in this day and age , it doesn't happen around here.

EarringsandLipstick · 22/04/2021 06:55

If you mean in the street, I wouldn't allow that at all but nobody's children do play in the street where I live.

How bizarre Maggie

Of course children play in the street / road in an estate. Perfectly normal where I am.

Checkingout811 · 22/04/2021 07:00

They’re kids having fun. I find it odd (with the exception of the whistle) that your children are kept awake at night by other children playing. Do you just have 1 child? My nephew has to have absolute silence to be asleep whereas my 3 DC are used to other noise. Are the bedroom windows wide open?

Tinyspiky · 22/04/2021 07:14

is not good in this day and age

Sorry but why is it not good? I don't understand that comment Confused

JudesBiggestFan · 22/04/2021 07:25

My friend has got a bee in her bonnet about the same thing in her street. It's a small cul de sac full of families, whereas she is childless.
It's become a bit obsessive...standing by the window glowering as the kids play outside in the evening. I'll give the same advice to you as I did to her...move to a main road!
There is literally nothing you can do and nothing you should want to do, given that they're just kids playing. But if it's going to ruin your quality of life it's time to move on to somewhere you won't have the problem.
Noticing this more and more at the moment though...post-lockdown intolerance. We've got used to quiet lives!

Santastealer · 22/04/2021 07:30

It won’t last forever, kids grow up so I would suggest someone moved house because children play in their road!

I played out as a kid. We would call for friends on the estate and play on the street. We would have been 8 upwards.

On my street now lost children are young, but the boys next door play out with the boys across the road who are 6-9 ish. It’s a quiet culdesac in a village and parents keen an eye on them.

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