If you’re considering giving your child more freedom when it comes to venturing out of the house in the school holidays, tips are at hand from a leading children’s charity
It’s a question that divides opinion, with parents having differing views on the age at which their children should be allowed to play outside alone. So what do the experts say?
With Easter rapidly approaching, many children have broken up from school, while for others, holiday weeks aren’t far away. Evenings are getting lighter which means more kids will be wanting to go outdoors and some of them may want to play out independently for the first time.
Luckily help is on hand from the NSPCC, the children’s charity, which has a handy guide to help carers decide when the time is right. And the main takeaway is that every situation is different, from the maturity of your youngster to the place you live.
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“There’s no legal age limit for a child to stay home or go out alone, but it’s against the law to leave a child alone if it puts them at risk,” the charity’s information pamphlet reads. “Every child is different, so it’s up to you to decide whether they’re ready. But there are a few key things to know that should help you make your decision.”
Parenting forums are full of debate on when to take the plunge. One mum on Mumsnet said: “In my friendship circle only one friend lets her 9yo play out, with a group of other kids of mixed ages” while another added: “Mine are 6 and 10 and neither play out alone out of sight… There’s nothing wrong in wanting your kids close”.
Other parents were less cautious, with one saying: “I’ve let mine out alone to play together since 6 and 9” and a fourth adding: “My 9 year old goes to her friends round the corner and has just started walking the 7 to 8 minute walk to school and also walking the same distance to the local shop too.”
NSPCC advice includes key questions to ask before deciding if your youngster is mature enough to head out, such as:
- Where do they want to go?
- What do they want to do?
- Who will they be with?
- How far will they travel?
- What time will they be out?
The charity also advises talking through scenarios that may crop up when out of the house, including what they’ll do if a stranger talks to them, if they get hurt or if their phone battery runs out, to give peace of mind. A trial run, which sees your child take the lead when you’re out with them unless they put themselves at risk, is a good option.
Setting boundaries is crucial too – they can include how far from home kids are allowed to go, who they can meet, how long they can stay out for and what they’re allowed to do when they’re outside.
One Mumsnet user wrote: “My DSs aged 8 & 9 (almost 10 now but they did do it in the summer) are allowed out to play in the cul de sac at the end of the road. They have strict instructions to stay together, go no further and they have to check in with me every 30 minutes.”
The NSPCC has a lot more advice here on helping to make a decision.