What age can a child be left home alone?

By Mariessa and Evan · 27 October 2026

• At home
• Safety skills

Nipping to the shop, a late finish at work, a sibling's club run. Sooner or later most parents wonder whether their child is old enough to be left at home on their own.

What the law says in the UK

There's no legal minimum age for leaving a child home alone. But it's against the law to leave a child alone if it puts them at risk, so the question is really about your child and the situation.

The NSPCC's guidance is that babies and young children should never be left alone, children under 12 are rarely mature enough to cope in an emergency and shouldn't be left for long, and under-16s shouldn't be left alone overnight. It also says no child should be left alone if there's any risk they'll come to harm.

In the US

Most states don't set a minimum age, and the few that do vary widely. Many states treat a lack of adequate supervision as neglect, so the Child Welfare Information Gateway advises parents to check their state and local rules first.

Signs they're ready

• They want to try it, and don't seem scared at the idea.
• They follow rules without reminders.
• They know your phone number and how to call 999 in the UK or 911 in the US.
• They know what to do if the doorbell rings, the phone goes or something breaks.

Start small

Begin with ten minutes while you pop out, then build up. Agree the house rules first: who can come in (usually nobody), whether they can use the cooker (usually not), and what they should do if they feel worried. Ask a neighbour they know to be on standby, check in by phone, and talk about how it went afterwards.

Free shareable

Babysitter info sheet

Emergency numbers, your address, the kids' allergies and bedtimes, and the house rules, all on one page.

Download the PDF