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Earliest reasonable time for a five-year-old to play in the garden

145 replies

DriveVerySlowlyPastNumber23IWantThemToSeeMyHat · 26/05/2026 07:10

What is the earliest reasonable time a child should play out in the garden?

We live on a VERY busy main road - even at 2am, there are always cars and lorries trundling past.

DD is 5 and has a naturally loud voice 🙈

OP posts:
Holdonforsummer · 26/05/2026 07:12

Ooh I would say 8am on a weekday, 9am on a weekend day. And I say this as someone whose toddler used to get up at 4.30 every day. You have my sympathy.

YellowHatt · 26/05/2026 07:12

On a weekday 8am

Groobey · 26/05/2026 07:13

Weekday - between 8 and 9.

Weekend - after 9.

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Flickitspinittwistitbopit · 26/05/2026 07:13

Holdonforsummer · 26/05/2026 07:12

Ooh I would say 8am on a weekday, 9am on a weekend day. And I say this as someone whose toddler used to get up at 4.30 every day. You have my sympathy.

I was coming on up say exactly this! Still have, in fact 😁

Not long to go now!

dewne · 26/05/2026 07:14

8 Weekday

Elle771 · 26/05/2026 07:14

I dont let mine in garden before 9am.... as they are loud 😅 and also a v v v early risers so I know its tough!

DriveVerySlowlyPastNumber23IWantThemToSeeMyHat · 26/05/2026 07:15

Holdonforsummer · 26/05/2026 07:12

Ooh I would say 8am on a weekday, 9am on a weekend day. And I say this as someone whose toddler used to get up at 4.30 every day. You have my sympathy.

Ahh yes - the early toddler wake ups 😬 DD was a 4-4:30 waker upper but thankfully now is more like 6-6:30 😂

Thankyou! X

OP posts:
DriveVerySlowlyPastNumber23IWantThemToSeeMyHat · 26/05/2026 07:15

45 minute countdown 😂

OP posts:
ThatNattyPlayer · 26/05/2026 07:16

Groobey · 26/05/2026 07:13

Weekday - between 8 and 9.

Weekend - after 9.

Wish my neighbours would adhere to this; the kids have been out there this morning from 6am screaming in the paddling pool followed by the mom screaming for them to keep it down.

MayaLui · 26/05/2026 07:16

I'd say 8 ordinarily but 7 in the heatwave on the grounds that you can't play outside for most of the middle of the day.

DandelionClockSeeds · 26/05/2026 07:16

Out local park opens at 7.15 in the summer.

Just saying, like. We used to be there before nursery.....

Flickitspinittwistitbopit · 26/05/2026 07:16

Just adding the busy road won't be a factor to neighbours as they will have managed to zone it out to white noise by now.

A strident 5 year old, however...! 🙈

fatandfrumpy20 · 26/05/2026 07:16

7am on a weekday. Most adults should be up by then. If they want a silent nights sleep, they should buy earplugs.

DriveVerySlowlyPastNumber23IWantThemToSeeMyHat · 26/05/2026 07:17

We live in terraced housing and are very lucky to have lovely neighbours both sides. We don't have anybody at the back of us either 😊

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 26/05/2026 07:18

8 o'clock loud voiced toddler in garden next door? Err no thanks!

DriveVerySlowlyPastNumber23IWantThemToSeeMyHat · 26/05/2026 07:18

Flickitspinittwistitbopit · 26/05/2026 07:16

Just adding the busy road won't be a factor to neighbours as they will have managed to zone it out to white noise by now.

A strident 5 year old, however...! 🙈

The neighbours always say they don't hear DD having her dramatics so they're either deaf or very good liars 😂

OP posts:
fatandfrumpy20 · 26/05/2026 07:20

Viviennemary · 26/05/2026 07:18

8 o'clock loud voiced toddler in garden next door? Err no thanks!

Surely you’re up for work by that point? Or just up for the day?

DriveVerySlowlyPastNumber23IWantThemToSeeMyHat · 26/05/2026 07:21

Viviennemary · 26/05/2026 07:18

8 o'clock loud voiced toddler in garden next door? Err no thanks!

One side is definitely up as they have their back window open and I can hear them pottering.

The other side sleep in the front bedroom so I don't think they'd hear the noise anyway 😊

OP posts:
RappelChoan · 26/05/2026 07:22

As you have lovely neighbours I think 7.30am is ok in the heatwave, 8am on a standard weekday and 9am at weekends. I would probably get toddler to put some handprints on a piece of card and make it a ‘neighbour appreciation card’ thanking them for being nice neighbours.

Gateappreciation · 26/05/2026 07:23

8am.

DriveVerySlowlyPastNumber23IWantThemToSeeMyHat · 26/05/2026 07:23

ThatNattyPlayer · 26/05/2026 07:16

Wish my neighbours would adhere to this; the kids have been out there this morning from 6am screaming in the paddling pool followed by the mom screaming for them to keep it down.

No paddling pool 😊 just a tuff tray with playdough on and a mud kitchen 😊

OP posts:
Sirzy · 26/05/2026 07:24

MayaLui · 26/05/2026 07:16

I'd say 8 ordinarily but 7 in the heatwave on the grounds that you can't play outside for most of the middle of the day.

I thought this. Just tell her if she is too loud she will have to come in

DriveVerySlowlyPastNumber23IWantThemToSeeMyHat · 26/05/2026 07:25

RappelChoan · 26/05/2026 07:22

As you have lovely neighbours I think 7.30am is ok in the heatwave, 8am on a standard weekday and 9am at weekends. I would probably get toddler to put some handprints on a piece of card and make it a ‘neighbour appreciation card’ thanking them for being nice neighbours.

That's a cute idea! 😊 We take home made cards at Christmas but might pop a plant or something round 😊

OP posts:
Mumdiva99 · 26/05/2026 07:27

Today - let them out. There's a heat wave that will break later. Let them enjoy the weather and half term. It's one day. Tomorrow maybe go for 8am as a more reasonable time.

Twooclockrock · 26/05/2026 07:35

Juat survive the heatwave and let them out while its cool. Usually 9am on a weekend I would say but I think this is special circumstances. Noone will begrudge you opening your doors and letting them out of the hot house.. unless they are arseholes.

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