Your guide to safely exploring the outdoors with kids

Avoiding wild hazards—from poison ivy to venomous snakes—will help your children become confident outdoor explorers.

When a rabid fox made a surprise appearance at the U.S. Capitol in April, the great outdoors suddenly seemed a little less great. The fox bit at least nine people before it was captured, reminding everyone that encountering wildlife always comes with a bit of caution.

Fortunately, rabies isn’t a common danger—only one to three human cases are reported annually in the U.S. And the benefits of being outdoors far outweigh the risks, especially for kids. According to the Child Mind Institute, playing outdoors can build confidence, improve focus, reduce anxiety, and promote happier moods.

"When we think about kids and especially their mood, we know that a sense of building mastery over a skill or their environment is powerful

Unlock this story for free
Create an account to read the full story and get unlimited access to hundreds of Nat Geo articles.

Unlock this story for free

Want the full story? Sign up to keep reading and unlock hundreds of Nat Geo articles for free.
Already have an account?
SIGN IN

Read This Next

Scary good: Why it’s OK for kids to feel frightened sometimes
Want better talks with your kids? Take them outside.
How foraging for food can bring kids closer to nature