At what age would you let your child play outside in an enclosed backyard or lanai without you, but while frequently checking out the window?

Question

We have a lanai with 2 screen doors that lock from inside. No immediate neighbors and a dog that would alert us if anyone/thing came near. Our 3 year old daughter would be playing with her water tables (that she can’t get in) or riding her tricycle or little tikes car. My husband and I have wayyy different opinions on this! Here is our view...
From the kitchen/family room area where we would be.

From another area of the house, just so you can see the doors and space:

Answer

Water?? Alone? No way. Any particular reason you can’t be out there with her? She’s still too young.

Answer

As long as I can see my kid it's fine. Like if I'm sitting looking outside that's fine. If I'm not watching then anything can happen. Toddlers have a bad habit of doing things you dont want them to (putting small objects in mouth, climbing, escaping)

Answer

Water? That would be a bit longer. No water? Maybe 3....depending upon the child, of course.

Answer

With water? I wouldn’t let a child play with water alone, ever. You only need 2 inches of water to drown. 
Without water, I would let my 5 year old play in an enclosed backyard alone.

Answer

The instructions on our water table say not to leave kids alone while playing. While it is a table, it’s still enough water to drown in.

Answer

I wouldn’t feel comfortable with the water tables out there playing alone. But if they were not in the equation,￼ as long as the kid can’t open the door, I would say two. If the door can be opened, I would go closer to five because then you can tell her not to go out without you.

Answer

I said 3, but it would very much depend on the kid. My daughter will probably be trustworthy in that situation but the time she’s 3, but back when my sister was 3, absolutely not. She was a wild child.

Answer

In a space like that I would be okay with a little younger like 3 as long as they don’t try and leave that area. I personally would let my daughter play in our fenced yard since there are a few ant hills and occasional snakes.

Answer

Unfortunately we get bears in our area and we back onto a forested space so I just don't think I could do it.

Answer

If you feel comfortable with it then do it, everyone parents differently💕

At what age would you let your child play outside in an enclosed backyard or lanai without you, but while frequently checking out the window?

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