What's the nicest way to ask your neighbor's kid to stop playing on your lawn?

Question

I don't want to sound mean or anything but the kids in my cul-de-sac area are consistently playing in front of my lawn and it's starting to irriate me. Today when I came home they even drew pictures and wrote with chalk on my concrete walkway. I want to know what are some of the best ways to ask them or perhap talk to their parents about not playing on my lawn and about the drawings. I don't want to seem like I'm a mean guy, after all, they're good kids. I've asked them once but I think they're just too young to understand the importance to comply. Should I talk to their parents or perhaps what can i do? Please advice!

Answer 1

We actually had a neighbor who allowed her children to draw on my driveway and sidewalks. Normally it wouldn't have bothered me too much but we had our house for sell. I talked to the mother without any response. The next time I talked to the father. I asked if he could possible help. He was a long distance truck driver so not home all the time. About 7:30 in the evening I see three little kids (around 10 yrs old), three buckets and a dad marching over. Dad made the kids scrub up their mess. The kids came to the door and apologized too.

I know he didn't spank the kids, they don't believe in that. (Disclaimer)

Needless to say we never had another problem while we were still there.

Maybe you could get the parents permission to have the children clean it up.

Answer 2

First of all, I think the parents letting their kids play in front of your house and draw on your walkway is incredibly rude. The kids should be playing in front of one their own houses. Second, drawing with chalk on someone's driveway without permission is vandalism. Maybe the parents think the chalk is harmless because it is easy to remove. If the chalk is so "harmless", then why aren't the kids drawing on their own concrete walkways? Answer: because the parents don't want to have to clean it up. It's only "harmless" when it's on someone else's property.

How to nicely ask? I would first explain about the damage to your property (if there is any) and the chalk drawings (i.e., vandalism). Then request that the kids not play in front of your house. Despite your irritation, have a friendly tone and manner, and then thank them for their cooperation.

If the kids still play in front of your house, I would get an estimate on how much it would cost to remove the chalk from your walkway. It doesn't matter that you could do it yourself, the point is that you shouldn't have to do it. Or, you could figure out how much you would charge if you removed it and then present the neighbors with the estimate and say that they will have to pay for the chalk removal every time their kids draw on your walkway. Of course, you will have to have someone actually see which kids are doing the deed (or, even better, install a camera to record it so the parents cannot say it wasn't their kid!). If irritating the neighbor doesn't bother the parents, having to pay money will.
If that doesn't stop it, then contact the police. Hopefully, it will not get to this point and just a friendly request will do the trick. Good luck!

Answer 3

I'd say....why?

It's sidewalk chalk. Not vandalism. To the person who said call the police, the police would not be happy if you called them to take a report about children's chalk drawings that will wash away with a hard rain. The lawn I understand if they are causing damage. Then, talk to the kids again, and if it doesn't stop, talk to their parents. Let them know that their kids are killing the grass. It needs to stop. Maybe the kids can help you reseed etc, and learn about consequences. If they aren't doing any damage, I think you are too worried about something that really doesn't matter in the long run.

Answer 4

What is the harm of a little sidewalk chalk? Why not take your lawn chair down to their sidewalk and draw pictures with them. Invite their parents outside too. They are just being children.
If really irked though, a water sprinkler, privacy fence or a new neighborhood with no children might work better.

Answer 5

Tell the kids and the parents that you just put fertilizer on your lawn and when you water the lawn it runs on to the sidewalk. Since of course you don't want them to get sick it might be a good idea for them to play somewhere else.

Answer 6

absolutely talk to the parents, and stop worrying about what people think. If the neighbors were concerned about you, their kids would not be defacing your property. I am a good, quiet neighbor, and expect the same, unfortunately most people are closed minded when it comes to their kids and dogs. All else fails, call the cops, and don't let them intimidate you by telling you they have to tell the neighbor who called. If your stuff is right you shouldn't worry about people who cannot or will not respect your quiet enjoyment of home and property. By all means do not suffer in silence

Answer 7

I would just tell them flat out that you do not want them playing in your yard. If they get injured in your yard, you could be liable. You need to make it clear to them that they are not to play in your yard. Just ask the children to stop playing in your yard. If they continue, go talk to the parents. Tell them that you don't want to sound like a jerk. Express concerns for their safety and the possibility of injury & lawsuit. You dont have to be rude about it.

Answer 8

Talk to the parents. however be prepared for you to be the meanest person on the cul-d-sac

Answer 9

Rottweiler

Answer 10

Tell them; I'll buy you your favourite candies if you stopped plain in my lawn and my Birdie will tell me if you messed up.