Do kids play outside in your neighborhood-- anymore?

Question

When I was a kid I spent most of my time outdoors playing in the woods, riding my bike, playing games and sports. Now I live in a neighborhood with lots of kids but no one is seen outside. I assume they spend most of their times on the computer, watching TV and studying for the SAT's. What happended don't kids play outside anymore?

Do they in your neighborhood and is it a good thing for kids to play outside?

Answer 1

Kids in my neighborhood play outside all the time... Kids in my sisters neighborhood rarely play outside.. The difference being I live in a rural community where everyone knows everyone else (you can't fart without someone knowing) my sister lives in the city where you don't know your neighbors...

My 10 yr old can be off playing all day, in the woods, farm fields etc. and I don't worry one bit, all the adults in the community keep an eye on all the kids so they won't kill themselves (the kids recently thought it would be a good idea to toboggon off a barn.. they were caught and told it was a bad idea LOL) but otherwise we let them play until they drag in at dusk and ask what there is to eat because they are starving to death...

My sister is afraid to let her 10 yr old out of her sight for fear that someone will snatch him away...

Answer 2

I remember doing the same thing when I was younger ...playing outside in the woods, catching frogs, riding my bike, going to people's houses the park, swimming, etc. we were gone all day and pretty much just showed up to eat. Now I have four kids and I would be a nervous wreck if I had them live the same way. I allow my kids to play in our yard and I allow my son to walk to the store (about a block away) and directly back (he's 11) my older son (14) can go to town for a few hours with friends to the mall or the pool but he has a cell and must remain available for contact at all times my daugher (8) can only go to a few friends houses and relatives or to school/church/organized and supervized activities. I'm afraid of what can happen to them. Not just with other people but I remember the stuff I did as a kid and there were just stupid kid things I did that could have killed me (like fall in the river or get arrested, etc.) I think that people used to know others too and would holler at someone elses kids for doing something wrong more so than they would today too or they'd call your mom and tell on you so it was a little safer to let your kids run loose. I dunno, I guess it's personal choice but the kids I see around unsupervised are generally the ones who are getting in trouble and who's parents are letting them play alone because that way they don't have to be bothered with them (until the cops show up)...but maybe thats just how it is where I live too. :)

Answer 3

I encourage my children age 10 to play outside everyday, and they do riding scooters and bikes digging in the dirt and such, but not like when i was a kid. I would be out by 9am and not home til lunch then gone until dinner. I believe things are different, I don't allow mine to roam the neighborhood like i did they may go next door or across the street is all. Kids need to be outside to burn that energy this is why children are so obese, they watch tv and play video games. We got our girls a trampoline 2 yrs ago , I hear so many parents say ooh they are dangerous, well I had one and noone died when I was little! It is great exercise and they love it!!!

Answer 4

I'm looking to buy my own TOWN for this purpose. (I can only dream) - NO kids don't play in their neighborhoods anymore because of all the sickos out there today. We take our son to the park to ride his bike and play. We occasionally go out in the yard and play ball. TV? Sure kids watch more tv these days, however they also LIKE to play outside. Studying? Perhaps some...most not likely. I think it's great for kids to play outside - get some fresh air, however you MUST watch them like a hawk. Kids are very impressionable and no matter how much we stress STRANGER DANGER it seems that a person with a cute cuddly little pouch (dog) can make our kids compromise the stranger danger rule.

Final note:
I wish things were like they used to be....where we could ride our bikes ANYWHERE and walk in the mornings to get the fresh bread from the bakery.

Answer 5

There are not too many kids in my neighborhood anymore. My son does play outside. In the back he can play whenever he wants, but we have to watch him in the front. Things are not the same. I'm still young at 26, but when I was my sons age (7), I walked to school and wandered around my neighborhood w/o my mom fearing for me. Now I get nervous when my son walks across the street. It is really sad it has come to that, but it seems like kids disappear everyday and I do not want to risk it.

Answer 6

When we had kids we moved out of the big city and into a smaller place. Kids here play outside all the time. We have a little park across the street and there are always kids out there.

In the summer the kids are usually out from about 8am to 10pm every day.

Answer 7

I praise God I live in a tiny country town and that there is plenty of children playing out of doors. They build carts, swing off a huge tree with a rope and tyre and ride bikes. There is next to no threat to them here and they stay out of doors till dark and play. You don't see them yelling, fighting or anything. The entire lot have good company in each other whether they are the same age, younger, older or indifferent. I am definitely pleased to see this still happening. It gives me hope for the level headedness of country kids when they grow up.

Thanks for asking your question. It is a good one.

Cheers

Lisa

Answer 8

On my street I see tons of kids playing outside all the time but it is hard to find now a days. Once my daughter gets to the age where I can trust her outside with friends or by herself I would encourage it. When I was child I would always play outside and it was common. Now you barely ever see kids playing outside or anywhere. With technology for kids now they would rather play video games then play baseball outside with their friends or family.

Answer 9

We have an unusual neighborhood, according to my friends. We know all our neighbors, and our kids play with the neighbor kids out front of our houses all the time.

I think people don't take the time to get to know their neighbors anymore, so they don't let their kids play outside

Answer 10

My kids play outside alot but mostly in the backyard. We have construction in the street by the front of our house and I have three little girls, do the math. lol
It's just not the same world it was when we were younger. You really have to keep an eye out for people, even your neighbors today. It's sad!