[MegnFam]

Didn't know how else to put the title. :o
My husband just got back from playing a little pick-up game of soccer at a local park. He had his soccer ball and our (almost) 5 year old, and within a couple of minutes there were 10 kids playing with them. He absolutely loved it.
This may be a really silly question, but does stuff like this happen in NZ? I know in some places here, kids really keep to themselves. I grew up in San Diego, and we never played around unless it was an organised soccer (or other sport) practice. My husband is from a smaller city on the east coast, and kids would regularly just get together and play pick-up games of soccer, basketball, etc. For those of you in NZ with kids, does that sort of stuff happen there? It may be a small question, but it is hugely important to my husband.

Megan

[Diny]

Megan - yeah, things like that happen here too. The other day my hubby and kids were playing some 'invented' game out the front of the house and before long the kids from over the road wandered over and joined in.

I have to say, that whatever scenario you can think of, it will more than likely happen here too, I've personally found that life here is pretty much along the lines as life anywhere else.

Diny

[craddweb]

We haven't been to the park or beach yet without someone joining in our games! Good job we don't want peace and quiet!!!! It rarely happened in the UK and we love it that it happens so often here. We go to the park with a cricket bat and ball to play and before we know it we have a full blown game going on.

Kids are really happy to share their stuff too. We went to the park and there was a kid fliying a kite. My youngest took an interest and he was really happy for her to have a go (of course it crashed and burned in her hands but he didn;t mind!)

Adults too - we went to the estuary with a friend and the kids ended up having a go on a hang-glider! It was tethered but they still had a good go.

And I've really noticed how polite most of the kids are. 'Excuse me, can we play too?'

Also, I really like how other parents will play with our kids. Adults were too frightened in the UK to talk or play with other kids, but here everyone is more relaxed.

I love the fact that everyone wants to have a good time with everyone else.

It's a good feeling ;)

Debbie