Wildlife Wonders and Warnings
September 22, 2025By: Mia Wolff, MD
Categories: Safety and Injury Prevention
Spending time outside exploring nature is a great way for kids to learn, stay active and have fun - but it’s important to teach them how to be respectful and safe around wildlife. Here’s how you can help your child enjoy nature while keeping themselves and wildlife safe.
Keep a Safe Distance
Teach your child to enjoy animals only from afar. Getting too close can scare animals and make them act in unpredictable ways. A good rule is:
- Stay at least 25 yards from most animals like deer, birds and squirrels
- Stay 100 yards away from larger animals like bears and wolves
You can use markers like trees or rocks to help kids understand what a safe distance looks like. If an animal comes close, calmly and slowly back away.
Never Feed Wild Animals
Feeding wildlife may seem helpful or fun, but it’s actually very harmful. Human food isn’t healthy for animals and can make them sick. Feeding animals also increases the chances they’ll come too close to people and cause problems. Teach kids to never share food with animals and how to clean up snacks and trash.
Respect Animal Space
Remind children that animals want to be left alone. Loud noises and sudden movements can startle animals. If they see an animal, it’s best to stay quiet and watch from a distance. If an animal approaches, back away slowly and calmly without turning your back.
Use Tools to Watch from Far Away
Binoculars or a camera with a zoom lens (even your smartphone!) are fun and safe ways to observe animals. Encourage kids to use these instead of trying to get close for a better look.
Learn About Local Wildlife
Before any outdoor trip, teach kids about the animals they might see—what they look like, where they live and how they behave. Understanding animals helps kids respect them and know how to stay safe. For example, knowing that bears can be dangerous helps kids avoid getting close or running away.
Never Touch Wild Animals
Wild animals are cute and often look friendly! But it’s important to know that they can carry germs and diseases that can make people sick. Teach kids that they should never touch or pick up wild animals, even if they look friendly or injured. Instead, they should tell an adult right away if they see an animal that looks sick or hurt.
Keep Pets on a Leash or at Home
Bringing your pet on outdoor adventures can be a great family bonding experience. However, pets can chase or scare wildlife and may bring wild animals too close to your family. If your furry friend joins the adventure, keep them on a leash and close by. Also remember to check local rules and regulations to make sure pets are allowed in the area.
Know What to Do in an Emergency
Explain to kids what to do if they see a wild animal up close or if an animal acts strangely. Teach them to:
- Stay calm
- Do not run
- Slowly move away while keeping their eyes on the animal
- Tell an adult as soon as possible
You can even practice these steps at home so they feel confident outside.
Set a Good Example
Kids learn by watching you. Show them how to respect wildlife by keeping your distance, picking up trash and following park rules. Your actions help set the example for safe outdoor fun.
Why These Rules Matter
Wild animals live in nature, and it’s important to respect their homes. When we keep our distance, don’t feed them and stay calm, animals stay safe and healthy - and so do we. Teaching kids these rules helps protect nature and makes outdoor adventures fun for everyone.
If you want to learn more, the National Park Service and CDC have great tips on how to enjoy wildlife safely. Visit nps.gov or cdc.gov for more information.
