Yellowstone National Park is one of the most famous national parks in the world and is the perfect destination for families looking for an outdoor adventure. With its stunning natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and numerous recreational activities, Yellowstone has something to offer for kids of all ages.
However, getting kids excited for a trip to Yellowstone can be a challenge. Here are five exciting ways to get your kids pumped for a trip to Yellowstone National Park.
Get your kids excited for a trip to Yellowstone by hyping up the wildlife!
One of the biggest draws of Yellowstone is its diverse wildlife, and kids will love the opportunity to see animals like bison, elk, and wolves in their natural habitat. Show your kids pictures of the bison. Teach them about the wolves of the park. Discuss elk and deer. Promise them safari-like wildlife sightings.
Consider taking a wildlife tour or safari. These can be expensive, but touring Yellowstone National Park with your own, experienced guide will yeild unparalled experiences and sightings. These encounters with wildlife are sure to be a highlight of the trip for kids. Tease the safari if you are able to make it a part of your grand Yellowstone adventure!
Tell them about the wolves
Although the Yellowstone bison also have an important story worth telling, the tale of the elimination, impact, and reintroduction of the Yellowstone wolves is one of my favorite wildlife stories. Consider sharing a book or two about this with your kids, or sign them up for an online class with EDsplorers.
Share this video with them, and teach them about the impact of these magnificent creatures and how value extends to all creatures in an ecosystem.
Tease Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic
Old Faithful is one of the most famous geysers in the world and is a must-visit attraction for families visiting Yellowstone. Kids will be fascinated by the sight and sound of this powerful geyser and will love learning about its history and geology. Make sure to plan your trip around one of Old Faithful’s eruptions for an unforgettable experience.
Show the kids a photograph of Grand Prismatic. They will likely ask if it is real! Share with them that the bacteria that live in each temperature of the water create a different color experience such that we perceive it to be a rainbow. Have them draw their own picture of Grand Prismatic.
Yellowstone is famous for its hot springs and geysers, and kids will love the opportunity to see these unique geological features up close. Consider promising your kids that your family will take a soak in one of the park’s hot springs, go on a geyser walk, or simply explore the area and discover these amazing natural wonders.
Promise them Ice Cream
This one speaks for itself! Tell the kids that the Old Faithful Lodge has an EPOCH ice cream shop hidden in a historic, timber building. If they’ve never tried it, promise them a taste of huckleberry ice cream, the flavor the region is known for.
Ask them to become a Junior Ranger or a Junior Scientist!
To children, rangers are like police or army officers. They are special and powerful, and they wear cool badges. Tell your children that each national park has its own Junior Ranger program. The reward for completing this “boot camp” is a special badge and the honor of being in special club: the Junior Rangers of Yellowstone National Park!
Yellowstone’s Junior Scientist program is another educational and interactive experience for children. It is designed for kids aged 5 to 12 and offers a different variety of activities including interactive science exhibits. Kids who participate in the Junior Scientist program also have the opportunity to earn a Yellowstone Junior Scientist patch.
These programs are great ways to engage kids in science and nature while visiting one of the most beautiful national parks in the United States.
Engage them in Native American Crafts
Promise your kids a visit to the Yellowstone Heritage and Research Center where kids can learn about the human history of the park. There are often visiting craftspeople who share special skills such as basket-weaving, beadwork, and numerous other Native gifts.
These interactive exhibits and educational displays are often ideal for young audiences, and they will surely inspire your kids’ honor of these cultures!
Stay in a Unique Accommodation
Will you be camping, staying in an historic lodge, or renting a teepee? Consider adding another layer of adventure to your Yellowstone National Park trip by reserving a special accommodation.
How about the former Fort Yellowstone in Mammoth Hot Springs? Or the iconic Old Faithful Inn? Or a campsite amongst the famed wildlife?
Or, consider options outside of the park like the Cody KOA with a swimming pool and other family entertainment, or West Yellowstone’s Under Canvas where you can stay in a safari-style luxury tent.
If you would enjoy an all-inclusive, wild-west experience, check out the dude ranches around Yellowstone and Grand Teton! These offer adventures that EVERY child will adore!
Read a Book!
Yellowstone is such a special place that numerous books have been written to honor it. Purchase, borrow, or listen to several books before you come. So many great options have been created to help our kids connect to the stories and adventures of this special national park!
Our top suggestions include:
- Books about the re-introduction of wolves such as Bringing Back The Wolves or The Wolves of Yellowstone.
- For kids ages eight and older we recommend Mysteries in Our National Parks: Wolf Stalker. Our son loved this book series and read all of them when he was pursuing his Junior Ranger badges!
- Picture books that lay the foundation for what kids will see include Buddy Bison, Volcano Dreams, and Who Pooped in The Park?
- A travel guide we recommend for older kids is THIS ONE. As teens and pre-teens do, they will be able to thumb through the guide and absorb this informational text chunk-by-chunk as the curiosity strikes!
Read more from our list of the best National Park Books.
Final Thoughts on getting your kids excited for a trip to Yellowstone
However you choose to tour Yellowstone National Park with your family, it is sure to impress a lifetime of memories. Be sure to set the scene ahead of time. Excitement can be a strong draw towards enjoyment of any experience.
So, go on. Book that trip, and enjoy our national first national park: Yellowstone!
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