At what age can a child stay home alone by state?

It usually starts with a schedule conflict. Maybe you have a late work call, or it’s your day for soccer pickup on the other side of town. Or maybe your child just says, “I’m old enough. Can’t I stay home by myself?” And suddenly, you’re wondering: Are they ready? More importantly, are you?

Letting a child stay home alone can be a huge step in independence, but also a big one for family logistics, safety, and peace of mind. If you Google the laws, you can see it’s a patchwork. Some states spell it out. Others leave it up to you. And most? Somewhere in the blurry in-between.

Here’s what to know about the legal side of things, how to tell if your child's ready, and how to set them up for success when you do decide to give it a try.

State laws for staying home alone

Safe Kids Worldwide states that “developmentally, children are generally ready to be home alone around the age of 12 or 13.” This is a helpful guideline because only a handful of states set a legal minimum age for when kids can be left home alone. Here are the five states:

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• Georgia - 9

• Illinois - 14

• Maryland - 8

• North Carolina - 8 

• Oregon - 10

If there isn’t a specific law in your state, there may still be recommended guidelines. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services suggests contacting your local police department or child protective services agency to check. You can even ask your pediatrician for their advice.

Even if your state doesn’t have a clear law, there could be situations where it’s deemed unsafe or inappropriate for your child’s age. So, there isn’t always a clear answer, and that’s frustrating. But it’s also why it helps to consider your child’s individual readiness.

Is your child ready to stay home alone?

Aside from the law, most parents know when their child just isn’t ready and when they might be. Some 11-year-olds are completely capable of being home alone. Others might not be there yet at 13, and that’s okay.

The big questions to consider are:

• Can they stay calm under pressure? 

• Do they follow directions? 

• Do they know how to call you (or 911) if something goes wrong? 

• Have they ever actually wanted to try being home alone, even for a short stretch?

You can also do a quick mental scan of your home. Are there potential hazards they’d need to avoid? Do you trust that they’d leave the stove off, lock the doors, and not open them to anyone? Will you feel the need to check your phone every three minutes, or can you put your shoulders down and focus? 

Preparing your child for staying home alone

The first time a child stays home alone doesn’t have to be dramatic. In fact, it shouldn’t be. Start small, like with a 30-minute errand. Or take a walk around the block. You can even start by just sitting outside while they stay inside, and build up from there.

It’s important to go over the basics. Cover “don’t answer the door,” but also other "what-if" scenarios to help them feel prepared:

• What if the Wi-Fi goes out?

• What if someone knocks and won’t leave?

• What if the smoke alarm goes off?

Let them roleplay the what-ifs so they feel in control. And before you leave, make a quick-reference list that includes: 

• Your phone number and a backup contact

• Basic house rules (no cooking, no opening the door, etc.)

• An approved list of snacks or activities

Pro tip: Agree on a check-in plan ahead of time (like a quick call halfway through, or a “we’re on the way!” message when you’re coming home). Having a plan in place can make everyone feel more secure.

And if you’re wondering how old your child has to be before they can babysit, the general recommendation by the U.S. Department of Labor is 13. Still, like leaving your kids home alone, there are many factors to consider.

Bonus tip: If you use Greenlight and you have an older child babysitting a sibling during that time, you can even pay them quickly through the app when you get home. 

Staying home alone can be a big confidence booster for kids and a helpful logistics solution for families. But it’s not a one-size-fits-all milestone. Whether your child is 10 or 15, it’s about readiness, not just age. Know the guidelines, prepare them for success, and have a backup plan for the unexpected.

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