LET’ S GO
By Dayna Engberg
For many of us, a hallmark of childhood was being outside— whether by our own will or not. It was a time when kids on bikes outnumbered cars and every neighborhood had at least one structurally unsound clubhouse in the woods. Our pedal-powered freedom took us into nature to poke things with sticks and search all summer for the perfect rock.
What may have been for the sake of our parents’ sanity ended up being for the benefit of us— research shows that active time outdoors is linked to a growing list of health benefits for kids. These days, the neighborhood seems quieter, as if childhood has moved completely online. But adventure hasn’ t disappeared— it’ s just waiting for families to get out there and chase it together.
Whether you want to get fully off-grid or simply offscreen, here are five ways to rediscover old-school exploration in the great outdoors.
76 · CONNECTIONS 2026