Does your family love the outdoors? Are you looking for new ways to get out and explore the natural world? Try visiting your local parks, state parks or one of America’s 388 national parks. National parks have something for everyone, including hiking trails, scenic views and unparalleled opportunities to observe wildlife. National parks are also perfect for kids. Many parks run junior ranger programs, allowing kids to participate in fun activities while learning about the area’s natural habitat. Some parks offer nature walks and wildlife talks specifically geared toward children, to show them that the natural world can be just as exciting as television and video games.

Day Tripping

If you're looking for new ideas for family day trips, national parks are a great place to start. Especially if you live in an urban or suburban area, day trips to national parks are a wonderful way to get fresh air and exercise while learning about the plants and animals that occur in your region. There are also plenty of fun family activities to choose from at national parks. Here are just a few:

Take a Hike

You can enjoy a day of hiking at nearly all of our national parks. Some examples of the most popular hiking spots are Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state, Acadia National Park in Maine or Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Hiking is a great way to see wildlife in a natural setting. Bring along field guides for identifying plants and animals. Don’t forget to bring a magnifying glass for exploring the microscopic world on the forest floor.

National parks are also among the best places to watch birds. Nearly every imaginable bird habitat, from arctic tundra to tropical rain forests, is represented in our national parks. Some of the premiere bird-watching hot spots include Congaree National Park in South Carolina, Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Kansas and Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio. Don't forget your binoculars!

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