If You’re Complaining About Kids Being Too “Loud” Outside, Go Touch Grass

June 3, 2026 - 03:25

A parent recently took to Reddit to ask if letting children play basketball outside before 10 a.m. was "unreasonable," and the response from commenters was swift and pointed. The original poster described a situation where their kids and neighborhood friends wanted to shoot hoops in the driveway starting around 8:30 a.m. on a weekend. Concerned about waking neighbors or being a nuisance, they asked the online community for a reality check.

The overwhelming majority of commenters sided with the kids. Many argued that outdoor play, especially sports like basketball, is a healthy and normal part of childhood. They pointed out that 8:30 a.m. is a reasonable hour for daytime activities, and that expecting silence in a residential neighborhood during waking hours is unrealistic. Several users noted that the sound of children playing is a sign of a lively community, not a problem. One popular comment summed it up: "If you're complaining about kids being too loud outside, go touch grass."

Others shared stories of their own childhoods spent playing outside early in the morning, and expressed concern that modern society has become too restrictive of normal kid behavior. The consensus was clear: unless local noise ordinances specifically prohibit it, letting kids play basketball before 10 a.m. is not only reasonable but encouraged. The thread served as a reminder that community life involves shared sounds and spaces, and that a little morning bounce on the pavement is far from a crisis.