Tips and tricks for a family National Parks vacation
Summer time is the time for families to share fun and adventures together. Adding a visit to national parks offers just the right mix of nature, outdoor experience, and national history to give your family lasting memories.
Find Your Parks
National Geographic’s bestnationalparksforkidsfamilies
You want to take your kids on an unforgettable adventure in one of our spectacular national parks—but which one? In his new book, 100 Places That Can Change Your Child’s Life, editor, author, and dad Keith Bellows names the best parks for families—and much more. See his 11 park picks below, then get more expert tips and travel destinations in the book.
Parents’ callofthewild10nationalparksforfamilies
From glaciers to geysers to animals galore, there’s plenty for your kids to see at our top picks from among the nation’s 59 parks. Family-friendly trails and ranger programs also made these spots stand out.
Read some books
National Parks are doors to many new experiences for kids, that’s why you should give and share some books about National Parks that will awaken their interests and inspiration before your trip.
The National Geographic Kids National Parks Guide U.S.A.is more than just a book. It is 
entertaining, informative, and fun. More than two hundred million people visited our national parks in 2009. National parks are some of America’s most treasured places, and the National Geographic Kids National Parks Guide U.S.A. is the perfect way to bring the fun and amazement of these majestic places to kids. Divided by region, (Northeast & Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, and West), this guide is both accessible and tons of fun. Full-color photographs and layering of information make facts jump off the page. Features include tips on exploration, information about animals, sidebars, checklists, fun facts, maps, cool things to do, and much more. Conservation information, a “find out more” section, glossary, and index add ample back matter to round out this book. National Historic sites. National Monuments, trails, and rivers. Fully indexed. Author – National Geographic Editors. Binding – Paper. Pages – 160.Publisher – National Geographic. Year – 2012.ISBN – 978142620889
The National Geographic Kids Ultimate U.S. Road Trip Atlas will entertain your kids 
through car rides, plane trips, and any type of vacation where you need to keep them interested and engaged. Keeping kids entertained while on a long drive can be a challenge, but the National Geographic Kids Ultimate U.S. Road Atlas can help. This book includes easy-to-read, simple road maps of each state and Washington, D.C., and a map of the United States. State symbols, cool things to do, boredom busters, fun facts, wacky roadside attractions, and games accompany the maps and provide engaging information with stunning photographs that will keep kids engaged for hours. In the back matter, a comprehensive index makes it easy for kids to look up names and places. To top it all off, everything is presented in colorful NG Kids style, allowing kids to learn as they ride and have a blast doing it!. Almost too much fun!. About The Author – Crispin Boyer was a kid once and remembers it well. He is a Gamer and lives in San Francisco and writes about history, wildlife, and technology. He and his wife, Ramah, are the lord and lady of a 1914 Victorian that is 700 times smaller than a typical castle but almost as drafty. Their microwave might not roast an ox like most medieval ovens, but at least their bathroom isn’t a hole in the wall that empties into a stinky moat. Author – Crispin Boyer.Binding – Paper.Pages – 128.Publisher – National Geographic. Year – 2012.ISBN – 9781426309335.
Frommer’s National Parks with Kids Millions of families visit the national parks annually. So 
we sent our author out to hit the trails and campsites to figure out how to beat the crowds and enjoy an unspoiled family experience of nature.
Inside this book, you’ll visit the most spectacular landscapes in the United States. This incredibly detailed, complete guide covers every kind of activity available in each park, from hiking to bird watching, with a range of sports for visitors of all ages and skill levels.
This new edition of Frommer’s National Parks with Kids also includes reviews of park lodges, camping, and nearby accommodations to help you plan all aspects of your trip. Exact prices are listed for every establishment and activity. No other guide offers such detailed, candid reviews…or such honest advice.
Complete with maps of every park, including detailed maps of hiking trails in the major parks.
Childrensbookreview National Parks: Top 10 Kids’ Books Educating our children on 
coveted natural and unnatural treasures will help preserve our heritage. Most of the National Parks offer fun and interactive education tools for children; such as the NPS Junior Ranger program: an activity based program conducted in almost all parks. At Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota, children are offered a chance to become a Junior Ranger (badge and all) if they can answer questions about the monument’s construction, thought leaders, and fun facts about the natural surroundings. It’s a wonderful program for all ages (grown-ups, too), especially kids between the ages of 5 to 13.
Get Some Apps
Since technology is a growing part kids learning, you may want to add these apps to your trip before and during your vacation.
From: mynatureapps
Check out some videos and more
Get your kids exited for your trip to national parks with the educational, fun, and challenging activities on this National Park Foundation Page.
nationalparkfoundationpage just like the parks themselves, there’s a lot here to explore! See how kids around the country are connecting to the parks and helping to protect them.
