A group is one thing. But this is how too many episodes of "Unsolved Mysteries" begin.

9 or 10 depending on the kid AND the level of risk getting to/from (i.e. do they have to cross any major intersections/roads)

Yes, I've started sending my 9 year old into a small grocery store (like a city sized Trader Joe's) near our house if we need something - like bread or milk. I wait right out front of the doors.

In to the store to buy something (with me standing outside) -- probably 8-ish.
Walk to the store solo without crossing main streets-- 9 or 10
City bus solo -- 10, on the route he knows well
Cross main street -- 11

Kid is starting MS in fall; he hasn't yet done a solo metro trip, but we also haven't used the metro much in the last year and a half, so we are rusty.

DS is 10, I let him go certain place alone. I am always a nervous wreck, but I also know it's good for his development and self-esteem, so I allow it. We did practice the route to the places that are a bit further out/need crossing a few times before he was allowed to go on his own, though.

I would let my kid go there when he is old enough to earn his own money to overspend on crap.

My kid is 8 and IMO could use a little more practice crossing the street by herself, but sometime this calendar year I'll allow her to go to our corner store by herself. It's 1/4 mile and only requires crossing one (somewhat busy) street at a stop sign, the folks who run it are very nice and it's fine with me. My kid is pretty responsible and mature IMO.

I'm generally avoiding her going inside with the variant + not yet being vaccinated but I'd make an exception for the tiny corner store that might have 4 people in it, requires masks, she might be in there 5 minutes, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents, this weekend we went to a park and then stopped by a 7 eleven. MY DH went in to grab a few slushies for my kids. I then noticed groups of elem children and a lone child go into this 7 -11 by herself. My kids are still in elementary school but would you allow them to go in a gas station by themselves? It also got me wondering, what age do you start letting your kids go to stores alone? I can't even imagine at this point!!

OK, if they can get there safely what exactly is the age is what I'm wondering?? 10-12? Better with a friend and sibling? I have 2 DDs.

Do they walk around the block alone? Do they walk to a friend's house 2 blocks away? Can they cross the street safely without you with a stop sign? What about with a crosswalk and a light? Do you they know how to make a purchase in a store alone? Can they reach the slurpee handles to fill their cup without making a mess?


When you answer yes to each of those questions, your kid can do it. Congratulations!

If you answered no, start working on it. Walk behind them the first few times to see what they do and help them learn about any mistakes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents, this weekend we went to a park and then stopped by a 7 eleven. MY DH went in to grab a few slushies for my kids. I then noticed groups of elem children and a lone child go into this 7 -11 by herself. My kids are still in elementary school but would you allow them to go in a gas station by themselves? It also got me wondering, what age do you start letting your kids go to stores alone? I can't even imagine at this point!!

OK, if they can get there safely what exactly is the age is what I'm wondering?? 10-12? Better with a friend and sibling? I have 2 DDs.

Sure, somewhere between 10-12 sounds great. And, sure, everything’s better with company. Why are you wondering so hard about this?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents, this weekend we went to a park and then stopped by a 7 eleven. MY DH went in to grab a few slushies for my kids. I then noticed groups of elem children and a lone child go into this 7 -11 by herself. My kids are still in elementary school but would you allow them to go in a gas station by themselves? It also got me wondering, what age do you start letting your kids go to stores alone? I can't even imagine at this point!!

OK, if they can get there safely what exactly is the age is what I'm wondering?? 10-12? Better with a friend and sibling? I have 2 DDs.

I would say 10, alone or with friends if the friends are decently mature. (As we all know some kids can be less well-behaved when they are together). With a sibling, I would say 10 or above just because some nosy person might freak out and call the police if they see a little kid without an adult. (Almost happened to me when my 8 and 5 year old were walking around on the sidewalk in front of our apartment).

I used to bike to the closest gas station to get an ice cream bar in the summer. A mile or so trip, I'd estimate. Probably in fourth or fifth grade. In MS I biked several miles to the public library or my grandma's house all the time.

I'd let my kid go into a store by herself to buy something while I waited outside now, and she's 8. I'll probably be okay with letting her walk to the store by herself in a couple of years. My issue is that she's not always great about looking both ways before crossing the street; when she gets better about that, I'd be fine. The closest CVS is less than a half a mile.

PP starting at 10

I would. My son will occasionally go to CVS by himself, crossing a very busy road. It’s good for them. I wish he did it more often.

Anonymous wrote:Parents, this weekend we went to a park and then stopped by a 7 eleven. MY DH went in to grab a few slushies for my kids. I then noticed groups of elem children and a lone child go into this 7 -11 by herself. My kids are still in elementary school but would you allow them to go in a gas station by themselves? It also got me wondering, what age do you start letting your kids go to stores alone? I can't even imagine at this point!!

OK, if they can get there safely what exactly is the age is what I'm wondering?? 10-12? Better with a friend and sibling? I have 2 DDs.

I let my oldest start in 5th grade, younger in 4th (so 9). They walk 1/2 a mile to go to the grocery store or CVS. Middle schooler can go alone but I make my 10 year old go with a friend. They were going into stores alone at 8 but smaller stores with me outside.