At what age is it OK for kids to walk home from school alone in WA? Here’s what we know

Rosemary Montalvo
·2 min read

Summer has come to an end, and school is back in session.

For many parents, this might be the year to decide if your child is ready to begin walking to and from school on their own.

How do you know if your child is ready, and are there any laws in Washington that specify an age?

Here’s what to know about letting your child walk home alone in Washington, and how to prepare them.

What age can a child walk to school alone in WA?

Washington does not have laws that specify an age for when children can begin walking to school alone nor are there federal laws that specify an age.

The American Academy of Pediatrics states that children who are around 10 years old are usually ready to walk to school without an adult. Children younger than 10 “are more impulsive and less cautious around traffic, and they often don’t fully understand other potential dangers they could come across,” according to the academy.

Although the AAP suggests that it would be fine to allow a child as young as 10 to walk to and from school alone, every child is different and every parent needs to take a number of factors into consideration before making a decision.

According to the AAP, parents should consider:

  • Child’s age and maturity

  • Distance to be traveled

  • Amount of on-street parking

  • Volume and speed of traffic

Tips to safely walking and biking to school

Below are safety guidelines that the AAP suggest students walking or biking to school alone should follow.

Students who choose to walk should:

  • Stick to a safe route

  • Cross at designated intersections

  • Refrain from using cellphones as it can be a distraction

  • Walk with at least one other child

  • Choose brightly colored backpacks, jackets and accessories

  • Say “no” to strangers offering them rides and run and yell if help is needed

Students who choose to ride their bike should:

  • Wear a helmet

  • Follow all traffic laws

  • Stop at all. intersections and look both ways before entering a street.

  • Ride on the right side in the same direction as traffic

  • Use proper hand signals to signify a right or left turn

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