Spinoff - what is the appropriate age for kids to be able to go in the backyard and play alone

assuming of course you have a fenced in yard

I was thinking 5-6 or so

Re: Spinoff - what is the appropriate age for kids to be able to go in the backyard and play alone

I agree- it does depend on the kid of course

Message edited 5/7/2010 1:57:46 PM.

Re: Spinoff - what is the appropriate age for kids to be able to go in the backyard and play alone

Jack is alone in the yard all the time and i'm in the kitchen that overlooks the yard. That's as far as i will go and i am constantly popping out to see him

Re: Spinoff - what is the appropriate age for kids to be able to go in the backyard and play alone

My DS turns 3 tomorrow. I leave him in the backyard playing in his sandbox or kicking around a ball by himself. I can see the whole yard from the kitchen. We do this every afternoon while I am making dinner. I pop out and look out all the time though

Re: Spinoff - what is the appropriate age for kids to be able to go in the backyard and play alone

I've left my girls (4.5 and 3) in the backyard for a little while at a time...only when I'm making dinner or otherwise right in the kitchen. I pop my head out from time to time and I can always hear them. My backyard is NOT fenced in.

Re: Spinoff - what is the appropriate age for kids to be able to go in the backyard and play alone

Re: Spinoff - what is the appropriate age for kids to be able to go in the backyard and play alone

once in a blue moon, I will run inside to use the bathroom or whatever when we are outside but I always go right back out....I feel like she would be fine out there but I am still nervous

Re: Spinoff - what is the appropriate age for kids to be able to go in the backyard and play alone

I'd think 3 or 4 provided there was no pool - not even a kiddie pool (yeah, I know I'm stating the obvious but you never know)

Re: Spinoff - what is the appropriate age for kids to be able to go in the backyard and play alone

I think as long as it's fenced off it depends on the parent and the child.

you could have a well behaved toddler that spins around following the butterflies all day

or a terror 5 year old that will trample your prize winning azaleas

kwim?

Re: Spinoff - what is the appropriate age for kids to be able to go in the backyard and play alone

My kids have played in our fenced in yard since age 3. I can see them from our sunroom, kitchen and family room. Generally, they are so loud I know exactly what they are doing.

Re: Spinoff - what is the appropriate age for kids to be able to go in the backyard and play alone

My kids would never play outside alone. If I leave, they follow me

I wouldn't leave them in the backyard though because I have an inground pool. It's completely fenced in with safety latches, but my DS is a nut and I know he'll find a way in!!!!!

ETA. My DD is 3.5 and I would leave her to play if I didn't have a pool.

Message edited 5/7/2010 2:31:09 PM.

Re: Spinoff - what is the appropriate age for kids to be able to go in the backyard and play alone

Posted by Eireann

Posted by FranB

My DS turns 3 tomorrow.

HEY! My DD too!
Happy 3rd!!

Re: Spinoff - what is the appropriate age for kids to be able to go in the backyard and play alone

All 3 of mine play in the yard without me. Its fenced in, they are 6, 5, and 2, but I have been letting them play outside "alone" for awhile... since my oldest was probably 2 or 3. Its fenced in, NO pool, they cannot get out and no one can get in (gate is locked). The back door is propped open so they can run in and out. I can hear them from every room of my house. I feel perfectly safe letting them play. I am in and out constantly too.

Re: Spinoff - what is the appropriate age for kids to be able to go in the backyard and play alone

My kids always play outside in the yard alone. I am always in the kitchen and can see them out the picture window in my kitchen. They were in the back around 2.5-3 years old and playing!

Re: Spinoff - what is the appropriate age for kids to be able to go in the backyard and play alone

Re: Spinoff - what is the appropriate age for kids to be able to go in the backyard and play alone

So hard for me to answer this because DS is only 4 1/2 months....so now, I say maybe 18 years old?

Re: Spinoff - what is the appropriate age for kids to be able to go in the backyard and play alone

My daughter is almost 4 and has never played in the backyard alone. 1 - because she wants to be under my feet all day and 2- because the main part of my house is upstairs and the only rooms you can see backyard from is my bedroom and hers. It is fenced in and no pool so probably in another year or so I would try it.

Re: Spinoff - what is the appropriate age for kids to be able to go in the backyard and play alone

I allow DD out there, usually while I'm making dinner, & she is 4.5. I can see the whole yard from our door & it's completely fenced in.

Re: Spinoff - what is the appropriate age for kids to be able to go in the backyard and play alone

I must be really over protective. I'm always out there with them. We live on a corner and the side street is pretty busy so I always worry that someone is going to wander in through our gate. On more than one occasion we've woken up in the summer to find empty beer cans and pizza boxes on our patio table.

Plus the only room that overlooks our backyard is the den so if I'm going to be sitting in there reading or online I can do that just as easily sitting at the patio table.

Re: Spinoff - what is the appropriate age for kids to be able to go in the backyard and play alone

Miranda and Hudson go out there by themselves all the time.
They are 4&1/2 and 18 months.
I can see and/or hear them though.
I also know they cannot reach to get out of the gate.
I wouldn't feel comfortable doing this yet if I wasn't able to hear them.
I am usually cooking dinner and can see them out the kitchen window or doing some laundry and I can peek out the sliding doors, etc.

Re: Spinoff - what is the appropriate age for kids to be able to go in the backyard and play alone

DS is almost 4 and I just started letting play outside alone, although he rarely let's me out of his sight, plus I feel bad if he is all alone too long. Its also only if I am in the livingroom where I can see him.

Re: Spinoff - what is the appropriate age for kids to be able to go in the backyard and play alone

DD is 3 and she is allowed to play outside alone- Our family room/kitchen overlooks the backyard. She is very noisy so if it gets quiet, I know to look out!
DS is 15 months but he won't be allowed forever. He gets into EVERYTHING!

Re: Spinoff - what is the appropriate age for kids to be able to go in the backyard and play alone

Re: Spinoff - what is the appropriate age for kids to be able to go in the backyard and play alone

8

Re: Spinoff - what is the appropriate age for kids to be able to go in the backyard and play alone

DD will be 3 in July & I let her play outside in the backyard on her own, but I have a big window in the kitchen that overlooks the backyard.