At what age is it ok to let your kids go out to play on their own?

Depends on the 7 year old and what their friends are like. When my son was 7 we were in an apartment complex where there were a lot of kids. I had no problems with him going to play with them or going over to their houses to play. I would think teenagers would do more hanging out on the corner more than 7 yr olds would.

Well, it was fine when I was a kid. I remember watching my goddaughter; and I never let her our of my sight when she was that age. I would go with her to play dates. Maybe talk to the parents locally and see if they have ideas on how you as a neighborhood can organize to protect your children as they play: like a community watch. Hope that helps.

i think 7 is good but with some perameters in place. like he cant go past the corner or he cant cross the street, that sort of thing. we live in a complex, so its a little easier because there isnt as much street traffic etc.

Hello I started playing with my friends alone when i was around 7 or 8 , but i was always with my brother . and my parents , or their parents were around too . It depends on the child too and the kind of friends he has . It is always best to be safer than sorry when it comes to kids .

I wasn't allowed to do this until I was too old to play, these days it's horrible how clingy parents are. I say let him go play, and make sure he is well aware of who to stay away from and how to be careful. Let a kid be a kid! You really do have to trust him.

get ur son to be friend with ppl like 14's nd 15's, im 15 trust me ur kid will thank u nd trust him wit everytin u got let him out nd have food aint no 1 gon get on him if he wit ppl.

When I was 7 Humbug I lived in a small village where you couldn't sneeze without everyone knowing that's what you had just done! If I did something it would be back with my Mum a long time before I got home!! In the Summer we were put out first thing in the morning and returned for lunch; going straight out again afterwards until tea. Then we were in. Nowadays I wonder if there is a child anywhere in the UK that can live like that. Our daughter was allowed to visit her friends in the road when she was about 7; but not allowed out of the road for at least two more years. Although she did occasionally run to the post box in the next street. But she had a time to get there and back. I'd let him go to his friend's house on his own. But watch him all the way there. As you are doing now. I guess that it is a gamble. Set him a time. Say two hours out and back by such and such and not to go further than so far. If he does that well, then slip the rein a little. It's a nerve wracking time to be a parent.

I think you are doing just fine! It is good that you invite the kids to your house also so you can check better and fell comfy! I do not see anything bad in that is great for him to have friends of his age! No problem!

No, you were not so strict with taking good care of your child to play with their own with another place or house of the playmates which it will cross across the road or cross side of the road to protect her.him safety with the friends attitude so I do agree with you to to let him play with your own place in which you could see him by your eyes because 7 years old cannot manage for his own because I allowed myself to played alone in their own in the other places when he is 10 years old........

Hi!! I think if he´s old enough to want more independance he should have a little,I mean yes, give him permission to play outside,or go to a friends house but with rules, remember COMPROMISE!!! He can go outside alone,but keep an eye on him, have him be at certain places only, make sure he understands the limits, ok you can play outside but only on this block or something like that. And keep an eye on who he plays with too!!