How old to play at park unsupervised?

[curiousgeorgie247]

AibOP (am I being over protective) to have said no when dds friend came knocking, asking if she would like to be dropped off at the park by the girls mum and play unsupervised then collected by her mum again?
They're 10 and a half.

I'm not the over protective type. I let the dcs play out with their friends unsupervised on our road. But the park seems like a bit too far for 10 year olds even if they are being dropped off. The park is very big and there's loads of entry points and bits you can't see.

I wouldn't let them walk there alone. Someone dropping them and picking them up again, depending on the park and area etc, I'd consider it. One I frequently go to that's beside the sea with a rough area surrounding it, no way. One where it's in a nicer area with lots of people around, then I probably would.

Me eldest is 10 (Year 5 not 6) and I've started to let him go out alone to call for friends and play in a nearby field, but he's not allowed too far and he isn't allowed out for too long before having to come and check in, he doesn't have a phone yet. As I see it he will need to be getting himself to secondary school in just over a year so letting them out gradually is a good thing.

"how thick your kid is etc."

Wow! How fucking rude!

How on earth is that rude? How thick your kid is plays a part in how much independence you can give them!

Big no they have never asked. I think as they're always around friends or family anyway they aren't bothered about going out so much. I do ask if they want lifts to the cinema etc and would be happy to do that so long as I were picking up as well. They've done Scouts and Cubs, But our park is pretty rough tbh, the behaviour on there is awful. I don't want them picking that up.
I do trust them 100% it's others I don't trust.

I'd say the park was a bit of a mix. Sometimes you go and it's full of families. Other times there's teenagers there smoking on the play equipment 😔 it's a massive park with main roads all the way around it and about 10 different exits all the way around.

I started letting them play out with the kids on our road at age 6/7, from about age 8 they were allowed to the small field at the end of the road with friends and frequent check ins. They've been going to the shop round the corner, crossing one rd for the last 12 months but only when they're together and with dd10s phone with her and dd1 has been walking the 5 mins home from school since September.

I'm gradually giving them more freedom as they get older but thought the park was a bit too soon.

I was a bit surprised their friends mum was considering it as she's usually alot more protective than me.

My son just turned 11 has been doing this for maybe 10 months? Can't remember exactly but our park is 10 mins away and he and his friends go to the other park after school too. I think there's a difference r year 5 and 6 , most of his year 6 friends go to the park.

My DD's 8, and she goes alone. But the park is very small, a 2 min walk with 2 tiny roads to cross. Usually loads of her mates are there from school too. I still feel anxious when she's out but can't keep her in forever!