We lived on our bikes as kids. We'd drive all over the neighborhood, to the store to buy candy, the pool, and as I got older, I'd ride to my monthly orthodontist appointment!
We'd play in the street and there weren't cars speeding through the neighborhoods. Even so, there was always the kid at the end of the "playzone" that would yell "CAR!" and we knew to get out of the way until it passed.
We played tackle football, built forts, stick balls, etc. - and I wasn't even a tomboy! The only time we'd play inside is if was raining, or we were playing with Barbies :P
My kid played outside a lot - I always made sure we lived in a cul-de-sac for that reason. When he hit his teens was when he stopped, but he still played organized sports. Even at college a bunch of them would aways get together and play baseball or soccer.
I think a lot more kids play outside than you realize - at least around where we used to live (now that I'm living in basically a retirement community, "playing outside" ain't real big
). But I know kids aren't given the long leash we had
