I started at age 10. It was a 10 minute walk with several side streets and one main street. The main street had lights. I walked halfway home with a friend who lived nearby. I think I would have been allowed earlier if school was walking distance. We moved that year.

I was thinking 10 would be ok for DS. I will reassess at the time. His school is a 5 minute walk with no streets to cross. There are heaps of kids around our street at school times. I feel it's a very safe neighbourhood but who can tell really. It's hard to say at this point as he is 4. It would depend on him, how responsible he is, how easily distracted he is. I would also have to consider DD as it would be difficult to walk with DD and allow DS to walk on his own. If she is responsible enough, I might allow them to walk together. It's a wait & see thing.