[marbles]

We live downtown, close neighbors most of whom we trust, our back yard is fenced on three sides. Older two at 5 could play in the back without me. Now at almost 8 and 6 they can roam front and back and a little in the neighbor's yard. Youngest is 3 and can go out with them only in the back yard, but if she alone or there are other kids here I go out with her. Sometimes she can go out and play alone while I keep an eye from the open back door. As someone else said, I do go out with them probably half the time just because outside is nice or I have other things to do in the yard. My oldest doesn't really go out by herself unless she has something to do, she doesn't really do aimless playing anywhere.