A curfew is a rule that sets a specific time when someone must be home or indoors. Most often, parents set curfews for their children: “You need to be home by 9 p.m.” A curfew creates a clear boundary about when freedom to roam ends and when it's time to return.

Curfews mark the moment when outside activities should end.

Cities sometimes impose curfews during emergencies, requiring everyone to stay indoors after a certain hour. Military commanders might order a curfew in unstable situations. These community-wide curfews are serious: breaking them can result in arrest.

For kids, curfews often feel frustrating because they interrupt fun. But they serve a real purpose: helping keep people safe when it's harder for adults to know where everyone is, and helping kids get enough sleep. As children get older and show they are responsible, curfews usually get later. Parents may extend curfews when children come home on time and stay in touch, and may make them stricter when curfews are broken.