That's exactly what the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is saying. According to the UK organization, parents need to let their kids go outside to play and let them discover the risks by themselves. By doing so, children are exposed to the natural world where they learn "what hurts, what is slippery, what you can trip over or fall from."

This is sure to cause a controversy among protective parents, especially in an age when you have to watch their every move due to criminal activity. However, they may be on to something. After all, I was turned loose every day in the morning and wasn't expected back until dinner, and I turned out alright (famous last words). The society says that if you keep your kids under thumb for so long, there is a greater likelihood of them getting hurt quicker and more often as a teenager. Aren't minor scrapes, bumps and bruises just part of growing up? Compare that with the major breaks they could sustain later on from not acquiring these lessons.

Children need to know where boundaries are, and how to push those boundaries outdoors. Accidents are a part of life and I believe this is the core of what the organization is conveying. They are not condoning unbridled access to anything that could land your 8-year-old in the emergency room though. Watch them closely from a distance and let them discover things on their own. Many parents are going to disagree with this mentality, but read on for more information about the royal society's stance on safety.