At what age can your child go to the park alone..?

Question

-with the dog
-with a walkie talkie
-across the street and 3 houses down (can't see it because of the bushes by the driveway)

I aksed eariler and got silly answers like 14... but kids walk to school in grade school.. they ride their bikes around the cresent.. I am looking for realistic answers...

I should add that we live in a town and their are several kids in the neighborhood, at teh park is an outdoor skating rink.. it is an awesome park

Answer 1

I would say that would depend on the maturity of the child, but 8 or 9 does not seem unrealistic. My children are 8 and 7 and the play in the cul de sac with their friends, and as long as I can see them it is OK. I would think that as long as they respond on their walkie talkie when you check in on them every fifteen minutes, it should be OK. I would also suggest that they do not go alone, and have a friend or two with them, since one child is a better target for kidnappers.

Answer 2

Legally speaking a child cannot be left home alone until the age of 13. So I would say they really shouldn't be allowed to go out alone until at least 13. Personally I don't think I would let my children go out to a park alone until they were older than that. This is a danggerous age we live in, you never know when someone might decide to snatch a kid. Better safe than sorry. How would you feel if you let him/her go out alone and they never came back? I would say at least use the buddy system. Always make sure they go with a friend. Kidnappers look fo easy single targets, a dog isnt really going to make most of them think twice.

Ok... can I just say to the person directly below me.... If you are serious: "Lay off the sauce Mr./Mrs. Drinkypoo" Seriously... I hope you are joking... your daughter really should not be taking candy from strangers...and thats just one of the many things wrong with your scenario...

Answer 3

Ok to be realistic i would say I at the age where you think they are responsible enough to handle being by themselves. When I was ten I was allowed to go and play at the school across the street. My parents could not see us from the house but we were only allowed to stay for about an hour. But with today's society I believe that it is all about what kinda of neighborhood you live in. I lived in a very small town. If you believe that there is not real danger then I would say 10. But make sure they are with friends.

Answer 4

This entirely depends on where they want to go and in what conditions it is in.

Is it a violent zone with thugs for example?

If not, then how responsible do you think they are and how much trust could put into them?

I was have siad 9 or 10 years old is a godo enough age in most cases.

What do they get up to?
Who do they meet?
Why do they go there?
Are they there until too late?
Where else may they try and venture?

All safety issues are variables that effect such a dicision.

If it is really rough/dangerous, then you NEVER go there at all.

Answer 5

I'd say the little tikes are never too early to hit the ground running. I remember letting my daughter go to the park when she was four. There were plenty of people so it wasn't like she was unsupervised and besides, kids love jungle gyms. This also has the added side benefit of being an excellent way to get things done around the house or maybe run some errands for a few hours etc. She meets all sorts of interesting people and you would be just shocked at how nurturing people are. I mean, she's always coming back with gifts, candy, etc. People are very generous but (and I have to gush here!) it is probably because she is just so adorable! This is a great tool to help children socialize and my daughter has such an active imagination- just the other day she was telling me about someone named mr grandpa who takes her to his house and lets her watch cartoons. Kids!

Answer 6

I wouldnt let my child go to the park alone till he/she was at least 13. I live in FL and we have some sickos around.....I can't trust anybody so if I can prevent some things, then, I will. Good luck! Living here where it is real busy, is hard when you have kids. However, if you live in another state like in the country, then, I would let her go around 9-10 years old.

Answer 7

Look, how old was that Elizabeth Smart girl that got kidnapped?? and those two boys just recently? you think 14 is a smart remark. At least at 14 they would know to draw attention to themselves. If a man wants to snatch a girl, how is a girl going to do anything with a man that weighs twice their weight? The girl is getting snatched. Don't be stupid. So is a little boy. Kids are no match for adult predators.

Answer 8

I have been scared to death letting my 10 (almost 11 year olds) out by themselves. We finally bought them a prepaid cell phone and we have walkie talkies. We let them go the the neighborhood park only if they go together and we constantly check in with them. I would never let them go alone I think that two or more is better. I am still a nervous wreck but I see other people with much youger than mine going all over!

Answer 9

Not Gonna Happen!! Very dangerous for children of any age to go to the park alone. Go with some friends or don't go. Please contact your local Police Department or Sheriff's Office for current crime prevention info pertaining to your area. Remember, kids can be snatched in seconds or BS-ed into about anything if the molester is good and has experience. Check out the web page for known molesters in your area.

Answer 10

I will not let my kids go to the park alone anymore yes they walk to school alone that's fine because there is a lot of kids walking to school but a park is different because paedophiles likes to sit there and watch but that is up to you if my kids want to go to the park I will go with them or they simply won't go but that is only me sorry if this does not help you you might think differently but not me.