What age can children walk around town without an adult?

[joshandjamie]

Just that really. I'm trying to figure out at what age kids are sensible enough to walk around town on their own/with friends without an accompanying adult.

That's impossible for people who don't know you and your kids and your town to answer I'd say!

2 sensible children together, small town, quiet pedestrianised centre which the children know well, for an hour or so while you shop separately but in the same area with a pre-agreed meet up point - 9 or 10 maybe, busy town, busy roads, going there alone on public transport - secondary school, maybe 11. Child known to be a bit silly/ wild/ unreliable/ off in a dream world - maybe older!

I let dd and ds1 go together, from 9 and 11. DD is very sensible though, and has a phone.

I can't see dt2 EVER being allowed out of sight. Thought dt1 has walked down to the library with dd. (10 minutes away)

Like thatisnotitatall said though, it really is impossible to set an age on it.

Depends on the town, eh?
9-10yo feels about right to me around here (very sleepy small town).

thanks - you've answered my question (long story....)

My 6 year old is allowed to walk around our village on her own mind you, but she is usually very sensible and it is more a hamlet than a village - middle of nowhere, no shops, 1 quiet road and a playground. Lots of kids (all with similar levels of freedom) given there are only about 45 houses though :)

That - i wish i lived in the same place as you

There are down sides wfh - I have to put 3 kids in the car (or on bikes and in the trailer) and drive or cycle 3 miles if I run out of milk, DD (6) has to catch the school bus at 7am - oh and if I want to speak to anyone but my kids I have to do so in German, and I still don't understand the people who use the incomprehensible local dialect :o ... It's a good life for kids here though (aside from the quantities of homework... but then they have all afternoon to play once it's done :) )

For us (medium-sized town, pedestrian area), I let dd1 do the timed, pre-arranged meeting thing from age 10-11. She had a mobile phone with her and I was in a different place in town. This was good practice before starting secondary.

Dd2 recently turned 10 and is already allowed into town, as long as she's got dd1 (now 13) to look after her.

I let mine go to town on their own walking from Year 6 - age 10/11. Well actually not on their own, with a friend.

I also let them go to the local shop on their own from 8, but they were/are streetwise independent kids.

My mum let me walk to our local high street (large urban area) a mile away at 10. I was on my own and had a small shopping list. However I was a very sensible child and when I got home very proud of myself I discovered that my mum had secretly followed me anyway. At 11 I was walking almost two miles to school everyday on my own so she wanted to prepare me a bit.

When I was 9 I was allowed to walk to the shops with her and one of my friends. She would let us walk around the shops by ourselves but we met together for a walk home.

DD is 7 and I'll probably start giving her a little more freedom around 9 when she will have had more practice crossing the road by herself.