Exactly. We played soccer, kick ball, rode bikes just all sorts of shit. Even played with toy guns.
No wonder today's kids are so fat and have "ADD"
There was a small wood beside across from my house, would always wander down and go exploring. There was a deep enough stream running through it, other kids would venture there and it was fairly mazy. Parents never worried I'd get lost, drown or get beaten up. I was youngest child so guess parents were used to it by that stage.
Problem is the hysteria over pedos, cars (running over kids) and the fact that we have become accustomed to knowing where people always are or being able to contact them because of mobile phones. I remember meeting friends or a girl when younger meant arranging a place and often waiting ages because a bus or train might be late or there was a mix up about where to meet. Any loss of contact with kids/anyone really makes people panic now.
Update This thread is now about how great our childhoods were and how today's youth are missing out.