Dd has started running away at bedtime

[Somethingokonnetflixforonce]

Very recent thing, Dd is 5.5 so not little little, now when it’s time for bed, she’ll run out into the garden, deliberately start going on her bike or the trampoline and ignoring me. She gets very giddy and uncontrollable and I end up
losing my temper.
Anyone else’s child do this and how do you cope with it? Tired of getting cross every night

Because the child can unlock it without an adult. Child could wake up and let themselves out without an adult knowing.

Child can let themselves out

And apparently there are no keys.

Well, if she has a need for getting worn out at bedtime you could meet that need (or whatever the need is) and then there is no need for punishments.

I’d be putting child proof door locks on, not just because of her bedtime routine but for her own personal safety.

First, your door is really unsafe and you need to get a child lock mechanism. Lots on Amazon, I have one that needs to be pushed in hard from both sides and underneath to release. It slides up under the handle to block it from being pulled down.

Secondly, you can take the approach of not reacting when she runs out i.e. "ok mummy's going to bed, good night so!" Pull door closed and walk away. She'll come running fairly fast. I find the less giving out/scene I make about bad behaviour, the quicker it's over.

Or, as mentioned above, "no bedtime story if you don't come in!" and actually mean it.

But seriously, start with getting a child lock on the patio door. You're doing your own legs in by not sorting that.