What age would you let your child do this?

[londongirl12]

Outdoor shopping centre with restaurants outside. There’s a play area right outside next to the restaurant. What age would you let your child out to the play area on their own? No roads around.

So from this do I gather you "shadow" your 4 year old round a playground ? Age 5 from the scenario you are describing I think.

I’d say at least 8 if they’re in a pair, maybe much older. My son’s 5 and there’s not a chance in hell I’d let him out of my sight even though he’s good. If he hurt himself how would you know? He could be kidnapped or molested or worse.

I know I had a lot of free reign as a child but I feel like Internet porn has made people more perverse and there’s way more cars and things around if the child managed to wonder off.

Is the play area part of the restaurant and fully enclosed ie child can’t get out unless they come back into the restaurant? If so:
If you can see them- from 4/5
If not- from 7ish

If the play area is separate to the restaurant with separate access- age 9+

Probably about 7 or 8 depending on how sensible the kid is. I am in central London though and most kids around my area start playing out around that age. I wouldn't see it as a big leap for them to play in a playground at a shopping centre.

Mine are 10 and 12 and I’ve been allowing them to go out of sight on a playground for the last couple of years or so. Ie if we are inside a pub restaurant having a meal they have gone outside to the garden and playground.
if it was a massive place with hundreds of people everywhere and there was a risk of them getting lost no.

I absolutely hated bringing my young DC to a playground where teenagers were hanging out. Sitting on swings / roundabouts that young children then can't use, let's be honest playgrounds are not aimed at 13yr olds!!

I have a 7, almost 8, year old and I would let him do this. I also have a 4 year old and wouldn't let her go on her own or with him without an adult. Although she is a wild child and he is a rule follower so they rub each other up the wrong way.

13+? What the fuck? If my child can’t get herself to school by herself by the time she’s 13, or go into town on a weekend with her friends, I’ll have failed as a parent.

Anyway my answer is 8.

We've done this from 6yo

Minimum 10+ provided it’s in full view of the restaurant and you can have eyes on them the whole time.

Bloody hell, many kids that age are starting to be no longer interested in play areas.

FFS just seen 13+!! 🤣

They can join the friggin army at 16!

10+ provided it's in full view? Yikes. That's old.

In full view with eyes on I'd say 6/7ish. Without eyes on I'd say 10ish.

12 maybe. I don’t consider the UK particularly safe anymore. Family oriented farm shop playground? Yes. Playground next to a shopping centre in an urban area? No.

Unfortunately this is one of those scenarios where the ages don’t line up well. By the time I’d be comfortable having my child out of my view, they’d be too old to want to play on the sort of play structure I’m picturing.

I do have 2 children though so felt better when they were together so probably when they were 5/8 or 6/9 I’d have let them go for a bit with regular checking.

If you can see them 8ish, might say 5/ 6 if it’s 5m away from my table. If I can’t see them 11/12

@WithOnlyTheMemories Somewhere smaller and local-ish I’d agree with you but at a busy Shopping Centre there’s no way I would allow it 🤷🏻‍♀️

I’d let my 8 year old twins go together but I’d send their older sister out to check on them!

@JabbaTheBeachHut That’s good, they can stay with me in the restaurant then and i can keep an eye on them 😁😂

And yet at 11 years old they'll be walking to a bus stop and getting on a bus by themselves to school, but you won't let them play in a park by themselves?

In Europe, there are often playgrounds in plazas. I definitely sat at an outside table and watched my 6 year old play in the playground, but it was like 20 feet from the table and in a fenced in area. If I couldn’t see them, I’d be okay if they were with a friend from maybe 9/10 but not alone.

I guess so. I can't quite picture what the OP means, in my head I'm picturing something that has been designed for families to be in the restaurant and play area. But perhaps not.

I have an 8 year old and I wouldn't let them play in this scenario where you say they'd be out of sight. I'd be quite comfortable if I had full sight of the playground but I'd want to be able to have eyes on.

8 or 9 depending on the exact set up.

Do your 10 year olds in Y6 not have independence training in school ready for secondary? Do you not let them go to the shops/park/school on their own?

Depends on the child. My 9 year old I would allow it from age 5 if I could see her. Probably from 10/11 if I can’t. My irresponsible 8 year old would need me in arms reach and I can’t see that changing anytime soon