How old should a child be before they can play outside without an adult?

Question

A parent is inside the home and it's in a relatively safe area.

Answer 1

i think only the parent knows their child the best. it just depends on the independent child and common sense.

Answer 2

I think in this day and age you can't be too careful. I think the age should be about 10-12 years old and depends on the maturity level of the child. My little guy is 7 years old and wants to play outside all the time. While I wish I could have him go out it's not as safe as it should be. I am too overprotective of him and I don't care.Remember that even in the safest neighborhoods things can happen.

Now if you have a gated fence in your front yard make sure the child stays in the front yard. Talk to him/her about stranger danger and not to think that stranger danger is a scary/creepy looking man but it could be someone that looks nice.

Whatever you do it's best to watch your child at all times.

Answer 3

about 10

Answer 4

this is a very personal question. you need a safe area. does he follow rules? will he stay in the designated yard or play area or will he wander? is there a fence? do you have heavy traffic? are other children in the neighborhood outside playing? do neighbors look out for each other? there is no specific age. my daughter is 9 and has played outside alone since 5 years old in our yard with a fence down a quiet side street with little traffic and other kids outside in a friendly neighborhood. even so once she decided to sneak out into the street and got run over and broke her leg. use your judgement and just make sure you keep an eye out frequently.

Answer 5

26

Answer 6

Depends on if he's in a fenced yard, playing with other kids, busy streets near by, maturity of child.....I've had 5 kids & I didn't let them out of the front or back yard by themselves until they were about 7 & then that was only to a friends house on the same side of the street........

Answer 7

well my bro is about 7 years old, I still don't like knowing that he is not supervised there are a lot of creeps out there! He lives in a safe neighbourhood too. It all depends on the maturity of your child! Just make sure you check on them every so often!

Answer 8

Its a very dangerous world out there, wait for your child to be like 12 or 13, and when hes outside, have like your windows open, so sometimes you can take a peek outside.

Answer 9

10?
depends on the area, size of the child, and their smarts.
if they know when to come back in and not talk to strangers, then they are ready. but there should always be an adult present

Answer 10

I personally don't think there is an age when a child is ok to be left unsupervised. Too many bad things happen to children when left unsupervised and the facts prove that these things happen regardless of the neighborhood.

Answer 11

In this day and age, I would say not until they are at least eleven. I say this becasue then they are better able to defend themseleves against a child abductor. But to be honest, I would just let them play in the backyard.