The baby didn’t sleep. The bus was late—again. After a crazy day in the office, you get home cranky, stressed and ready to flop. Taking your tot out to play in the backyard is the last thing you want to do. But before you turn on the TiVo, consider this: Enjoying the fresh evening air with your little one may be the best thing you can do, for both of you.

There’s good reason why many of us feel the need to “get some air” when we’re distressed, tired, foggy or bored. Research suggests all kinds of benefits from being out in nature, from mental to physical to emotional. And it all holds true for children—babies included, says Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature- Deficit Disorder. “Being outdoors both reduces stress and can improve babies’ and children’s attention spans.” It’s not surprising that nature has a soothing effect on little ones. Ever been in a restaurant with a fussy infant who calmed right down when you took him out for some air? As for focus: “When children play outside, their attention span tends to be longer because all of their senses are being stimulated at once,” says Louv. Since babies learn through their senses right from the start, it follows that the sensory stimulation of nature—the colors of grass and sky, the tactile pleasure of fresh leaves, the fragrance of flowers—must encourage healthy development. If you worry about the safety of the great outdoors, thinking that germs and pollution will harm his young immune system, rest easy. Louv notes that research shows overprotecting a baby from the outdoors may actually decrease the sturdiness of his immunity later on. Reality check. You’re not expected to grab your hiking boots and head for the hills every day with the baby on your back. In fact, nearby nature like a park or your backyard is a fine substitute for the wilderness. Plop your baby down on the grass to explore, or take a walk around the neighborhood to touch the tree bark, smell the honeysuckle and taste the falling rain. “A little bit goes a long way if it’s done regularly,” says Louv. Of course, being outdoors can also do wonders for you (and your caregiver) and your whole family—think nature hunts, biking, building sand castles at the beach. Says Louv, “You can’t overestimate the positive impact of families bonding in nature.”

Nature Babe

Try these ideas for fresh-air fun:

Arrange a green playdate. Invite another mom and baby to meet you on weekends at a nearby playground or park. When you plan with others, you’re more likely to do it.

Grow a garden. Gardening with your little one is a perfect way to introduce him to the natural world. No yard? Plant herbs or flowers in indoor pots so he can see, smell and touch growing things.

Try a nature hunt. You’ll be surprised how far your toddler can walk when you go looking for a dandelion or black stone or go listening for birds and squirrels.