Local kids banging on our door and running away

[jinsei]

We live very near a children's play park. It's a "naice" middle class area and most of the kids will attend the lovely local primary school which is known for having very high standards of behaviour in general.

So the kids have discovered that old game of banging on doors and running away, and it appears that our house is one of their top targets, presumably because of its proximity to the park. They're obviously finding it hilarious because it's happening several times a day, most days. It's harmless, I suppose, but pretty annoying.

So what do we do? Ignore? Go outside and read the riot act, bearing in mind that we may not know for sure which kids are the culprits? Talk to the local school?

Most of the kids are older end of primary age, so they are typically at the park without any parents.

Used to love a game of knock down Ginger! Ring doorbell.

Cameras to see them coming, then a garden sprinkler you can set off from inside- you don't want to spray the post man or someone innocent. Additional points for adding a colour stain to the sprinkler water and if anyone complains- you were fertilising the garden!

For those saying 'oh, they are just children, its just a game etc'. We had 11yr olds in primary school break through our heras fencing when we were renovating, attempt to kick our front door in, then threw stones and smashed a front window. They attempted kicking in the door 3 days in a row when I was in hospital and the car wasn't in the drive. Don't underestimate what pre-teens can be capable of when with friends!

Surely nobody on MN answers their door anyway?