Can 6-8 year old kids play outside with no adult supervision?

Ladybug

There's a neighborhood playground very close by and I always take my 3 year old son and his little 6 year old friend to the neighborhood playground. However, I see tons of kids around age 6-8 years old playing there by themselves all the time without any adult supervision. Today I was the only adult at the playground for at least 3 hours and there were about 10 kids. I live in a fairly safe town but i still can't comprehend it. Is it alright and normal to let 6-8 year olds play by themselves at the neighborhood playground? is something wrong with my neighborhood or is this the norm and okay?

Answer
It depends on the area. I live in a family-friendly neighbourhood, and kids of that age go out to the park all the time without parents (well maybe not 6, but certainly 8), and there's nothing to worry about, because we trust the people who live near the park, and there`s always someone around to keep an eye out.

If you live in a city centre, or an otherwise more dangerous area, where you don`t know or trust the neighbours, it can't hurt to supervise your kids.

I live in a suburban area by the way, and there are many children who just take off on their bikes, usually in groups, to one of the four nearby playgrounds and two outdoor swimming pools.

So yes, the kids should at least be in groups of 3 or more, so if one gets hurt, one can stay with him while the other goes to get help.

is it safe for a 13 year old to own a dirt bike?

I'm a 13 going on 14 year old and i always wanted a dirt bike.... I'm not the kind of kid who likes to try to impress... i just want a dirt bike for trails and for tracks.... i just need this question answered because i want to show my parents that its ok for me to have one and i already know that i may get bruised up and stuff... and i will wear proper equipment... so basically my question is if its ok for me to own one from someone who had more experience with dirt bikes then i do...

Answer
i got a four wheeler when i was 7 or 8 and one of my options was a dirt bike (it was for christmas) . It has nothing at all to do with age but more of maturity and responsibility.

Also a big part of it is if you know about them... A lot of people think they can just get one and expect to put gas and oil in it and drive it and that its that simple, but its NOT.. you must know how to fix it when it breaks and messes up or anything like that, and IT WILL no matter what and it will be more than one time itll mess up or have a problem plenty of times. really basic problems... but even the most basic problem can be the most pain in the world if you dont know what your doing...

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What size bike for an 8 year old? Are sized based on tire size?

Helen S

Looks like the 16 ince wheel bike is the right size, but other info says, buy a 20 inch bike. So which is right? Going to look at used at peoples homes and don't want to waste time looking at the wrong sizes. Help!

Answer
There is a little truth in some answers but... I have 2 young daughters on the small side and have decades of biking experience soooo...

16" is a very small bike. Height is the factor but if your kid is of average height you want a 20" bike. Most all kids ride 20" by 7 for sure. Both my petite girls had 20" bikes at 7. My older one needed a 24" at 10. Kids grow fast, never get a bike they can barely ride now as they will be too big for it by August.

I need advice, on buying a bike trainer for my 8 years old son, please help?

sky

Hi, my son is over weight, and I want him to lose some weight. Unfortunately, either I am lazy or I do not have enough time, and we do not do regular out door activity.
I came across a bike trainer in a magazine, and now I want to buy one, so he can ride his bike in the house, while I do my job.
I need some information, about the brands, different mechanisms, and every thing else to buy the right one.
Please guide me if you know anything.
Thank you for your time....
Thank you, Jerry, and Andy.
Jerry, your response is a little harsh, I am not over weight, My other son is in a normal weight range too. WE DO NOT EAT LIKE THAT, AND I MEAN IT.
Thank you for advising on buying the book.

Answer
I don't advise a trainer for a kid. It's both boring and it's fairly intense on the body, you don't shift around as you would on a bike outdoors, he will get sore.

A trainer is not good for a kid at 8.

However I recommend walking, getting him (and you?) a "real" bike. Try a trail-a-bike so he rides with you and or your other son. Try activities as a family.

Also will he go walking or join a team or sport?

Good luck!

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How to deal with children eating to much?

best kids bike 8 year old image

INNEEDOFAD

I babysit a newly 8 year old boy M-Th 7:30pm-7:30pm. The kid is severly overweight, about 2-3 times bigger than his classmates. His grandpa who is his main guardian is morbidly obese, has sleep apnea (where is spell check when you need it), a thyroid disorder, and possibly diabetes. Even with his health problems he does not seem to care what his grandchild eats and contributes to making it unhealthier by buy dozens of cupcakes, gallons of ice cream, mcdonalds/dominos for dinner 3/4 or more nights a week. I just watched the kid I watch eat a nacho lunchable, a cupcake, chocolate ice cream, a diet pepsi, three corn dogs, and dry cereal. This was all after he had dinner and all within 2 hours. What do I do?

Answer
Yikes. Take him for walks , ride bikes anything, as much as you can. Don't let him eat any if that junk when he is with you.
Teach him to read the serving sizes to get him to cut down on his own. Insist he eats at the table only so he does not snack by the tv etc.
Read children books to him about eating healthy.
Maybe he is bored and eats to pass the time. Can you help him find a hobby such as legos, drawing so his hand are busy.

What are the top brand names for kids shoes that are in style this school year?

JG78

I live in PA and my 8 year old son lives with his Father in VA and it's getting time for school to start and I always try to get him the brand names that are in style and as for shoes I wanted to know what brand shoes are in style for this school year.

Answer
It depends. What kind of stuff is your son into? My boys like to skateboard and ride bikes and stuff, so they always get DC's Etnies, DVS, Adio, Circa, Globe, Lakai, Osiris...shoes like that.

For more sporty or kind of Hip Hop, go for K-Swiss, Adidas, Nike, Reebok, Puma.

Shoes that never go out of style, Converse and Vans.

(By the way, you can get all of those name brand or popular shoes in sizes that small. My kids were wearing skate shoes before they could walk)

Good luck!

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Should a child's bicycle ever be sold as a punishment for breaking a bike rule and sassing an officer?

best kids bike 8 year old image

Skipper

I saw this on TV. The penalty was normally 30 day impound, but when the child (about 8 years old) sassed the officer, the father sold the bike and gave the kid a whipping. I don't think the father should have sold it.
To those who agree with selling it: Shouldn't he ever get another one if his behavior gets better?

Answer
Selling it made no sense. The spanking made perfect sense.

What are the top brand names for kids shoes that are in style this school year?

JG78

I live in PA and my 8 year old son lives with his Father in VA and it's getting time for school to start and I always try to get him the brand names that are in style and as for shoes I wanted to know what brand shoes are in style for this school year.

Answer
It depends. What kind of stuff is your son into? My boys like to skateboard and ride bikes and stuff, so they always get DC's Etnies, DVS, Adio, Circa, Globe, Lakai, Osiris...shoes like that.

For more sporty or kind of Hip Hop, go for K-Swiss, Adidas, Nike, Reebok, Puma.

Shoes that never go out of style, Converse and Vans.

(By the way, you can get all of those name brand or popular shoes in sizes that small. My kids were wearing skate shoes before they could walk)

Good luck!

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How can I make a bicicle for a little boy who is an amputee?

best kids bike 8 year old image

Kate, the

He is 8 years old and was in a horrible car crash a few months ago. I baby-sit him all the time and he is very upset that he can't ride his bike now. I am going to try to turn it into a motorized bike for him, any suggestions on how to do this I would apreciate.

Answer
Buy him a pocketbike. He will be the coolest kid on the streets with one of those. They sell gas which are fast ones for about $300 and electric ones which are a bit slower but still fast for about the same price. Try ebay or check if there is a local store that sells these.

When are kids old enough that you can stop scheduling play dates for them?

Elana

So just to let you know, I'm 33 years old, I haven't got kids (though I consider my niece and nephews to be like my own children), and I remember the days of my meeting kids at school and deciding on my own that I wanted to hang out with them. I remember going over to friends that lived in the neighborhood and just telling my mom I'd be back in time for dinner. I now work as a social worker (therapist) where my colleagues and I have come to refer to helicopter moms as "smothers". So my question is how old must kids be for parents to allow them to decide who they want to be friends with, rather than having mom coordinate and decide that for them? When can the child make plans on his/her own without planning through the parents? And when do the parents no longer have to be present while the kids hang out and play? Basically, what are the guide lines? My brother and sister-in-law just bought a new house and I was there yesterday when they took my nephews to see it for the first time. One of my 8 year-old nephew's friends from school apparently lives a couple doors down and he saw us checking out the new house. He called out that maybe now their moms can schedule a play date for them. But if you're 8 and you live a couple houses away do you really need your moms to schedule a play date still? The play dates mystify me.

Answer
Once they're walking, talking, and going to school, I think play dates are unnecessary. Kids can ride bikes to each other's houses and decide who to play with on their own just fine. If there's no kids around, they can join a club, sport, or activity where they can meet kids doing something they like, but being forced with a kid you don't know for a scheduled time just seems awkward to me.

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