What an interesting question... I just finished reading the book Free Range Kids, which is all about encouraging parents to give their kids more independence. The book tries to assure us that the world is not as scary or dangerous as the media might make us believe.

I don't have kids yet, but I struggle with this topic. When I watch friends' children, I will not let the seven year old outside in the front yard on her own. I think this is probably too protective.

I'm interested to see what others say!

       We live in the country and my boys spend every waking moment they can outdoors .Riding bikes,go-carts playing with the dogs or chasing the chickens.My 6 year old loves to shoot his be be gun.When we lived in the city I was very worried about predators and our neighbors driving to fast down our cul-de-sac.It is a very scary world out there and I do not think you can be over protective.When I was 14 and riding my bike home from the store down a very busy road I was stopped by a man in his car he wanted me to answer a few questions for a survey and I would be paid 500.00$.Of course he needed somewhere quieter to go to do this but I listened to my gut instinct which was saying NO do not go.He was arrested six months later for another rape and murder of a young girl in a different town.It turned out he was a serial killer.This happened 28 years ago.My mom taught me young DO NOT talk to stangers.My uncle whom was a police detective gave my husband and I very good advice before he died of a major heart attack.Trust no one when it comes to your kids.He saw alot of terrible things that happened to kids.

It depends on where you live, first of all.  And what your child's temperament is. I don't think any of us can state any particular age.  My 8 year old daughter does walk home from the bus stop alone (there are a ton of other kids also walking, and many of their moms meet them there, but I don't...).  She lives the closest to the bus stop than any of the kids and despite the child snatching that took place here in Jacksonville a few months ago (resulting in the child's murder), we live in a safe area with lots of other people about.  I also allow this child to ride her bike over to her friend's to see if she is home and can play.  I would not have done so at this age with my older daughter, probably b/c I was more "protective" then.  With my third child I am less worried and more permissive - not in a "bad" way, just, not so freaked out and more encouraging of her to venture out a bit.  Mind you, this kid is only going a block away so it's really not a big deal.

Last summer, i let my 18 month, 3 year old and 4 year old play in the back yard unsupervised. but there's nothing out there but grass. Seriously- nothing. Okay- 1 tree. There is a fense all the way around it, and we would set up a tent out there for them to play 'camping' in- if they were swimming, then I was ALWAYS there.  Oh- and by 'unsupervised' I mean, I was in the kitchen or living room the whole time- and I checked on them every few minutes.  No one ever got hurt, and they were in and out constantly anyway. So I plan to do the same thing next summer.

I don't let my kids play out front alone.  Mostly because they are still not incredibly cautious when it comes to the street.  I do let them run around with the neighbor kids, but I sit on my front porch and read a book.  I know for a fact the other parents in the neighborhood think I'm overprotective, but I don't care.  I  mean, my younger son is only 4, which I think is WAY to young to play out front alone, no matter the situation.  (though some of my neighbors let their kids of the same age play out front with an older sibling)  The backyard is another thing...they play by themselves out there all the time.  They both know if they ever leave the backyard, they will lost that privilige.  So far, no problems.

My kids live in our backyard in the summer.  We know all of our neighbors really well, have a private and fenced in yard and it's a safe fun zone for them to enjoy.

The front yard is another story for me.  I'm probably more on the paranoid side, but I feel like I'd rather be a little cautious and have nothing to regret later.  My kids play in the front yard while my husband or I are doing yard work or have another kind of supervision.  Keep in mind, my oldest is 5 - this rule will, I'm sure, be altered as they all get older.  But for now, they don't totally know how to be careful enough.

For my comfort, I've found that having my house be the house that most kids play at feels safer.  And, Amy, you're not the only one who finds some way to occupy herself on the front porch.  :)

My kids don't play in the front without me either- it's not fensed, and we dont' know our neighbor's well. Plus, the roads. Usually they just play in the back, but I do sometimes turn on the spirnkler for them in the summers and sit on the porch like other moms here.

I let the boys play on the gated deck by themselves. They were 1 1/2 and 3 1/2 when I let them. I am usually in the kitchen/living room or at the most running to the bathroom or laundry room. They are always in ear shot and usually eye shot. They are with me all the time, so I want them to have the sense of freedom without actually having any. Yet.

My 14 year old can go out by himself ride bike walk to bus stop ect. He takes a cell phone with him in case he stops at a friends house or decides to hang out at the park he calls and lets me know. 

My 5 year old - NEVER!  I am always out with him.  He is allowed in the backyard by himself but the backyard has a brick fence all the way around and the gate is padlocked.  Although I will say I am usually the only parent sitting in a chair at the end of the driveway watching the kids play bike, ball, etc.  Most of the kids around the same age and some younger do not have parents watching that I can see.  And although we live in a safe neighborhood and the cars know the kids are always out riding bike, playing street hockey, bball etc I think 5 is way too young to be out alone.

good question. my oldest two are 6 and 3, and I let them play in the backyard alone, but never in the front.  And never at the park across the street unless I am with them.  Although it would be SO NICE just to let them go play while I get stuff done, I always think it's better to be safe than sorry.