Homeschooling gives us the freedom to learn anywhere — even in one of the most awe-inspiring national parks in the world.
We recently took a trip to Yellowstone National Park. It was everything we thought it would be and more. Talk about kids learning and being excited about it!!
The kids & adults were impressed with the wildlife sightings and scenery. As one of my kids said, “I saw more animals here than at the zoo!” Not to mention the geysers and mud pots were a whole new experience.
Yellowstone is definitely a fun place to take your family and I would highly recommend it. Especially for older kids.
There is so much to learn there. Here’s a breakdown of some of the things our kids learned.
Science/Nature: geology, geothermal features, wildlife ecosystems.
Geography: supervolcano, location in Idaho/Wyoming/Montana.
History: Native American history, early explorers, conservation movement.
You could also take the time to do this ⬇️
Art/Language: nature journaling, sketching geysers, descriptive writing.
Participate in the junior ranger program at the visitor center! We have done this at other parks.
Here’s a list of the pros and things to be aware of to make your trip easier.
There is plenty to do. We only spent a day at Yellowstone. You could easily spend 2-3 days there.
You’ll see wildlife! We say grizzly bears, elk, different species of birds, bison, water snakes & more! Pro tip: if you see a crowd of people gathered at the side of the road there is wildlife to be seen. Stop!
Scenic sights: gysers, waterfalls, Hot springs, rivers, mud pots, the natural sights are amazing. There are places to pull over & many many parking lots where you can stop, park and get out and enjoy them.
Visitors center is neat! It’s free to get into. There were so many interactive exhibits for the kids. (The park admission is $35 for a 7 day pass, or free with the 4th grade get outdoor pass!)
Old Faithful eruption times are announced. You can track them online or in the lodge by old faithful.
Tips for a smoother trip!
Let’s talk food first. I mean with all the kids of course. You’ll need to bring in food. Theres a restaurant in the lodge- it looked to be more of the fine dinning style. And that is the only restaurant I recall seeing. We brought coolers with sandwich stuff and lots of snacks. If you time it right, take your coolers up to the balcony at the lodge and eat there & watch old faithful erupt from the balcony! We did grab some ice cream from the lodge.
You’ll be driving a lot. And there is quite a bit of traffic at times. Nothing compared to rush hour in a city, but there was a couple busy parking lots that we had to circle to find parking. It never felt overwhelmingly crowded though. We visited in August.
Some paths are stroller friendly, and some are not. If you have a baby or, toddler who may not want to walk, you will want a carrier. Some of the paths require caution also, as you are walking next to boiling hot hot springs.
We went with kids aging from 3-13. Personally I would not go if all my children were really young. Due to the hiking, cautions, lack of stroller friendly places & amount of driving, definitely take ages into consideration. Although there is still plenty for all to enjoy.
One of our favorite things about homeschooling is the ability to take a trip like this and have it be a fun, engaging and memorable learning experience. We can’t wait to plan the next “field trip.”
What real life experiences are you turning into educational opportunities?
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