I've been taking my daughter to the same abandoned building in New York State for the last 4 years, every summer.

I will only take her with me if we have permission and if I know it is safe.




(Before you start squawking, she only wears the shoes and dress for the theme, she doesn't walk all over like that, we bring real clothes!)

She also follows my stuff on IG and knows all about what I do, but she knows to never ever go into an abandoned building unless it is with me and to never ever think she can do it because "my dad does it"

I'm pretty sure I have said it enough times that she knows not to......but like many of you, I was doing this shit when I was 10!!!!

Posted by goon1 How old is a "kid"? I think that as soon as a person is mature enough to not steal or vandalize locations and also mature enough to appreciate the finds then they should be allowed to explore. For some people that may be 15 or 16 years old and for other it may be 20 or 30 or may never at all.

From my experience the best age would be around 10-12 when they are curious about the world, and then it would go downhill for the teen years.

Posted by Freaktography but like many of you, I was doing this shit when I was 10!!!!

Ain't that the truth!

edit: grammar

Posted by Steed From my experience the best age would be around 10-12 when they are curious about the world, and then it would go downhill for the teen years.

Probably wise till wait until then.
It takes that many years to learn to concept of death and that no one is exempt.
However there are worse things than death; few children have experienced pain so intense it comes in colors.

Controlled fear helps keep you safe and in check.
Fear, pain and death are your friends.
All three walk beside you throughout your life.
In the end death saves you from pain and disability.
There are many concepts beyond the minds of most children.

Bear in mind kids may not always do as they are told,
understand the consequences of their actions or the permanence.
Control the heat.

I have to disagree. I'm 17 go exploring. I try to keep it safe, carry pepper spray and a respirator. I strictly follow the "take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints" rule.

However, one time, I took another friend exploring. For some reason, he thought it would be a good idea to smash the fluorescents. Needless to say, I never took that friend exploring again.

I've taken my kids exploring dozens of times since they were about 7 or so (they're now teenagers). We have a great time!

I'm a responsible dad and don't expose them to danger. Like Turd Furgusen said, there are levels to this shit. Poking around an abandoned factory or farm is nowhere near as risky as climbing a bridge or exploring active subway tunnels.

Also, like others here, I've been exploring since I was a kid. I lived.