How to Enjoy Yosemite National Park With the Kids

You'll have no problem with kids who love nature - they'll never run out of things to do in Yosemite National Park. As conscientious parents, however, you'll want to fit in a few history lessons and teach kids about conservation - and maybe take off to find a bowling alley or movie theater in a nearby town.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Bear Safety Devices
• Hiking Boots
• Hats
• Mountain Bikes
• Flashlights
• Camping Gear
• Yosemite Videos/DVDs
• National Park Passes
• Sunscreen

1. See "How to Enjoy a Vacation in Yosemite National Park" in the Related eHows for general information on the park and activities available there. Many of these activities are appropriate for kids.
2. Give the kids a history lesson. Visit the Yosemite Museum and Indian Cultural Exhibit, then stop by the Indian village of Ahwahnee, located behind the museum, for a look at the culture of the Miwok and Paiute people.
3. Take them hiking. You'll find four relatively easy trails in Yosemite Valley, some with booklets that interpret the natural and historical features along the way, and other trails throughout the park. Save strenuous trails for experienced hikers.
4. Stop at the nature center at Happy Isles, open in summer and especially appropriate for kids. They'll learn about wildlife found at the park, enjoy interactive exhibits and learn how to track their favorite animals.
5. Get kids involved in the Junior Ranger or Junior Snow Ranger program. Talk to park rangers for more information on these projects designed especially for kids.
6. Participate as a family in ranger-led activities. Especially appropriate for kids are the ranger walks, Kids' Night Out and campfire sing-alongs (complete with s'mores). Check in at the visitor center for a current schedule of events.
7. See the Talking Bear. A local landmark in nearby Oakhurst, the Talking Bear will tell kids all about grizzlies and make a plea for conservation of the forest and forest creatures.
8. Take a train ride. The Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad is a kid-pleasing way to see the scenery. Options include steam train and jenny railcar rides through four miles of scenic forest.
9. Take a llama trek for a real change of pace. Llama treks are not cheap (upward of $750 per person for a multi-day trek), and kids must be 8 years old and able to hike eight miles a day, but super-kids will love this unique method of travel.

Tips & Warnings

• Expect to pay about $50 for a family of four to ride the steam train on the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railway, and about $40 for a ride on the jenny cars.
• Kids are not likely to enjoy sitting around in traffic on the weekends and holidays, when the park is really jammed. Instead, bike in or take the shuttle to avoid boredom and to keep kids busy.
• If camping, especially in the backcountry, make sure your kids know how to avoid an encounter with a bear and what to do if it happens.
• Never allow kids to take off on backcountry trails without supervision. If they get lost and have to be rescued, you may have to pick up the tab.