Growing up in Montana, playing outside in the dirt and drinking from a garden hose was almost a right of passage.

I vividly remember numerous days when my mom made me undress in the garage because my clothes were so filthy from being outside all day.

I can't even wrap my head around how many holes we dug or forts we built.

I hate to say it, but in this digital-heavy era, fewer and fewer kids are making their way outside to experience what you and I did growing up.

Playing In The Dirt

None of us went outside to play in the dirt because we thought it was good or bad for us; we just did it because it was entertaining.

Well, according to some new research on the website Live Science, playing in the dirt as a kid helps strengthen your immune system!

Several studies have indicated that early exposure to dirt can reduce the chances of children developing allergies and even autoimmune conditions.

According to the research, a child's immune system develops very early on in life.

The more exposure children get to various germs at an early age, the better their bodies are at fighting disease later in life.

A child's immune system learns to distinguish the body's cells from foreign substances.

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