14 Fun National Park Activities For Kids In 2025

Based on statistics released by the National Park Service, there were 312 million recreational visits in 2022.

The number is expected to rise as people seek to explore the outdoor life. The most visited National Park was the Great Smoky Mountains.

Other popular destinations include Grand Canyon National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.

While the outdoors has been preferred by adults, it seems kids are also joining the party. To this day, at least a million kids visit national parks all over America per year.

In this article, we shall talk about the best activities for your kids while at the National Park.

 

14 National Park Activities for Kids

1. Become a junior ranger

Perhaps the most famous activity for children in national parks is becoming a junior ranger. A junior ranger program is where kids learn about all park related activities through self-guided interactions.

The activities include scavenger hunts and crosswords. The program can also be joined by adults though children are usually the main participants.

At the moment, all 423 National parks have a junior ranger program making it a prime children’s activity.

In addition to the junior ranger program, some parks like South Dakota and Yellowstone National Park have a youth program that teaches children how to become scientists.

While visiting National Parks, it is important to note that the program’s tools can be free or might require a small fee to get access to the books.

At the completion of the program, the kids attend a swearing-in ceremony where they receive their own junior ranger badge.

 

2. Hiking

By definition, hiking refers to taking long walk on trails or footpaths in the countryside. The activity has been improved over the years so that the young ones can get the best experience possible.

You can opt to go on a full-moon ranger hike or the normal hikes. According to most hikers, the night trail hike is better since it does not expose the children to harsh weather conditions.

The night hike is often interesting as the children get the full nocturnal experience as they explore the parks and wildlife under the best views of the full moon.

There are several national parks that have a full moon ranger program including Bryce Canyon and Rocky Mountain National Park while the Yosemite National Park offers full moon bike rides.

A lot of children like playing outside and would consider a fun activity to do in National parks. To make this a reality, you have to book in advance for most parks especially Yosemite.

 

3. Track wildlife

As kids partake in the activities to become a junior ranger, they also learn how to track wild animals. This activity can be done throughout all seasons of the year.

However, it is much easier for children and adults during winter. There are several national parks that offer the best conditions for animal tracking.

They include Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Olympic National Park, Everglades, Katmai National Park and Mount Diablo State Park.

It is important to note that tracking wildlife can be a dangerous endeavor. It is therefore advisable to track wildlife with adequate protection gear alongside an adult.

You can also ask a park ranger to escort you during a hike as they are trained on how to handle potentially difficult situations while tracking.

 

4. Swimming

Most kids love the water. The sense of floating around endlessly gives you an amazing experience.

This is a learned skill that makes it easy for you to move around in water. Some can do it submerged while others can only do it mildly.

For kids who would like to get better at swimming, you have to ensure that you practice as often as possible. Focusing on national parks, there are a few that have the activity.

They include Olympic National Park, Buffalo National River, Big Bend National Park and Acadia National Park.

You can also go snorkeling in Biscayne National Park. While snorkeling, you get to observe sea life up close.

If you are not a fan of underwater adventures, you can stay atop a glass-bottom boat that allows you to observe at a safe distance.

 

5. Amateur photography

Taking pictures transcends being just a hobby. While at the national park, there are a lot of things you get to see.

When it comes to children, everything seems new and is an opportunity to learn. Walking around in the great outdoors introduces them to new things like animals, lakes, open geysers and hot springs, sand dunes, fossils, plants, rocks, lakes and many more.

It is only natural for kids to keep a memory of all these things. It would be appropriate to buy a small camera you can hang around your neck but even a phone could work.

With the camera, you can capture thousands of pictures for memories.

You can also decide to take it up a notch and submit your best pictures for awards and to museums to be put up for show.

All in all, the photography skills get better while having fun time with your family and friends.

 

6. Star gazing

While in the wilderness, there are several opportunities for you to view the open skies. During night time, there is a very good chance for you to see the stars.

The best places to go for star gazing include Big Bend National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Great Basin National Park and Death Valley National Park.

For avid star lovers, you can go to the National Park with your telescope so that you can enjoy the view in the night.

Since the activity has been coveted for a long period of time, there are dark sky festivals which involve hikes a hands-on activity.

Even without a telescope, National Parks usually have high powered telescopes to see planets and constellations.

To make the experience riveting, you have to visit the National parks in the seasons of autumn, winter and spring.

Astronomers refer to these seasons as observing seasons. Children love this activity as they get to view stars they would not normally see in the city.

 

7. Scenic helicopter rides

At times, children may be afraid to navigate the wilderness that exists at National parks. For some national parks, the terrain can be unforgiving for both children and adults alike.

With this in mind, you can opt to use a helicopter. Some National Parks like Grand Canyon national park offer helicopter rides.

In the safety of the helicopter, you can go sightseeing through the North Canyon Tour. The ride usually takes 30 minutes and saves you from the gruesome journey for a good view at Mather Point.

You can also utilize the 3-minute helicopter rides while in St. Louis around the Gateway. Nevertheless, this is always a unique experience for children and adults alike.

 

8. Horseback riding

Children often like riding horses. This is a wonderful experience for everyone especially those that did not grow upon a ranch.

This is another alternative to walking in the wilderness. Horses are readily available with specific paths to help your child get a good experience.

For example, you can check out the horse trail at the Glazier National Park. The trail leads you past Lake Sherburne through the old mining town of Altyn on a 2-hour cracker flats ride.

There are options for a 1-hour and 2-hour rides where children as young as 4 can ride. Before making your way down to the tracks, try to look for companies that offer horse back riding services.

 

9. Cave touring

This is a fun activity enjoyed by adults and children alike. This activity often comes after long hikes into the wilderness.

Since it is a very physical activity, it is important for all participants to be in good health. Cave touring can be hectic on children so the minimum age requirement for participants is set at 14 years.

Even at 14 years, it is necessary for you to be joined by an adult. The best national parks to go for cave touring include Mammoth Cave National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Custer State Park and the Badlands National Park.

Before going for cave touring adventures, you should get some equipment to make your experience better.

They include a helmet, hiking shoes, clean gloves (not suede), long plants and refreshments of your choice.

You are also advised to join caving clubs where you can learn more about the activity. National parks often provide its visitors with caving helmets and head lamps.

 

10. Sledding on a sand dune

Sledding is a fun activity for kids. There are quite a few places that avail kids with such an amazing opportunity.

You have to buy special sledding equipment since you shall be sliding on hot sand as opposed to the usual snow.

According to the National Park Service, you need to acquire sandboards and sand sleds to get the best out of the opportunity.

The best place to go sand sledding is the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. While there, you have the option of renting the sand boarding equipment from stores.

From experience, it is better to get to the park in the early mornings or evenings to avoid the intense heat conditions in the middle of the day.

Caution should be taken if it is your first time to avoid accidents. To make your experience better, you should look out for retailers of sand equipment in the area around the ark.

The activity usually costs about $20 per day.

 

11. Camping

Traditionally, camping is spending the night in the woods living in a tent. Children and adults fall in love with camping because it can be enjoyed in any place of your choosing.

Considering national parks, there are a lot of great camping spots to be enjoyed by children alongside their families.

For the best experience, you should get supplies and a guide to inform you of the best areas to set up your tents.

You have to ensure that you come with food, water, shelter and bedding, cooking supplies and personal hygiene products.

Some national parks offer discounts on items to be used for camping including shelter. Usually, there are camps set up for activities such as sports, learning and trainings.

It is a big plus if you have some training from the scouts. Such trainings equip you with special skills that help you survive in the wilderness.

Depending on your character as a person, it is imperative to plan out your planning experience with a national park ranger.

All national parks have good camping spots; the only limitation is the frequency of animal sightings. Predators often make the experience bad for campers.

 

12. Junior paleontology

Paleontology is concerned with the study of fossil animals and plants. The best place to search for fossils is in the wilderness.

The rationale is that there are a lot of plants and animals that used to exist in the wilderness. To get in on the action, you need to complete an activity booklet.

The booklet contains all the information you need to learn to earn your paleontology badge. You can be like Ross from Friends and learn about paleontology from books online and in the library. The other option would be to ask for help from the park ranger.

On completion, you are tasked with returning the booklet to the park ranger and duly collecting your badge. The most renowned National Parks for junior paleontology are Badlands National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

 

13. Beach activities

The beach is always a fun place to visit. There are a lot of National parks that have beaches and they include Acadia National Park, Everglades National Park, and Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio.

While at the beach, you can engage in a lot of activities including swimming, snorkeling, building sand castles, tide pool walks along the beach, diving among others.

Before getting into the water, you should have floats to prevent you from drowning. You should also consult with the park ranger to determine whether the water is safe at that time.

When you get access to a tide pool, you can explore the beaches for sea creatures.

 

14. Scenic train rides

At times, it is better to view the wilderness from a safe distance. This idea has made national park visits even better.

For starters, you can observe everything that you would have while hiking or biking in the comfort of your cabin.

There are two places that are admired for this activity. First is Cuyahoga Valley National Park. While at the park, you are encouraged to join the bike aboard program.

This program allows visitors to ride the train with their bikes. The idea is to first ride the trail on a bike and then get on the train on the way back.

Second is Yosemite National Park. The trail is known as Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad. The Park offers train rides for adults and children.

According to their program, they are available everyday of the week. Some of the train rides include Moonlight special, logger steam train, moonlight melodrama and Yosemite Jazz train.

Some of the train rides are free for kids under the age of 2.

 

Final Thoughts

National parks give you the chance to enjoy the wilderness while enjoying fun activities. Before you travel to any national park, you have to plan effectively.

You should always check with the park officials to see whether their schedule is open for your planned holiday period.

It is also crucial to check the weather forecast to ensure that the weather does not come in between you and your planned holiday. Ensure that you pack the adequate gear for your trip.

This will help improve your experience. If this is done well, the trip will be enjoyable for your kids.