We have a nice grassy area out the back of our house, and our kids always want to go out on it, but we will only let them if either me or my wife sits out watching them, couple of reasons. We live near a bus route road (even tho the kids have there rules of not going ove a path to the road) but its such an easy escape route for a snatch in a car. so thats why we dont. Our oldest is 7, 8 in aug, and being a girl its even harder to let her out on her own. Other others are young so no chance of them going out yet.

I know its hard to keep saying no when they ask to going out to play with friends etc, but all you think of at the time is what if.
We have a few kids round my area that are far younger then our oldest, and there out on the own playing round the streets. I just cant bring myself to let ours do that yet.

I dont know what age tho to let them out on there own, its just not the same as when i was younger playing out with mates quite away from home in the playing field, over farms etc etc.