Park Activities You Can Do from the Comfort of Your Home

Rebecca WatsonNPF Blog
A father and daughter look up at an illuminated tent that is set up indoors
iStock / Light Field Studios

Reason 1,568,345 that we love national parks – there are plenty of ways to enjoy the parks from the great indoors. From family friendly activities to an immersive audio experience, there are a variety of ways you can bring the wonder of our national parks into your home.  

Family Friendly Fun 

Muppets Elmo and Murray talk to a park ranger

Elmo and Murray talk to Grand Canyon National Park Ranger Amala

Take a Tour with Sesame Street 

Join Elmo, Murray, and park rangers as they explore plants, animals, habitats, and seasons in Grand Canyon National Park and Gateway National Recreation Area. Use accompanying hands-on activities to introduce preschoolers to the natural world. 

Fill Out an Activity Map 

Download a free NPF Kids Activity Map and see what facts you can fill out. When you’re ready, check your answers against our answer key.  

Become a Junior Ranger 

Activity based programs in national parks across the country offer young visitors the chance to join the National Park Service “family” as a Junior Ranger. Download special interest books to do at home – some parks will even mail you a Junior Ranger badge in return!  

Make a Virtual Escape 

Jordan Fisher holds a sign that reads "Find Your Park"

Jordan Fisher at Channel Islands National Park

Immerse Yourself in a 360 Video 

Take a virtual visit and tour to Channel Islands National Park with Jordan Fisher and Crater Lake National Park with Dierks Bentley. Watch these videos on a mobile device to get the full experience – move around to see the full span of these remarkable landscapes. 

Travel Back in Time 

Discover the stories behind our national parks with the National Park Foundation blog. From the Denali National Park & Preserve’s iconic mushing dogs and the flight path through aviation history to the revolutionary battle at Moores Creek and the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers, there are countless stories our parks preserve and share. 

Find a Little Zen 

Tune into PARKTRACKS, an innovative audio experience that lets you listen to the sounds of our parks, captured by the National Park Service’s Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division, and tap into the trends of tranquility and mindfulness. 

Fall in Love with Baby Animals 

Two baby green sea turtle hatchlings in the sand crawling towards the sunset-lit ocean

Green sea turtle hatchlings at Buck Island Reef National Monument

National Park Service

Our national parks protect critical habitats for many animal species. Meet some of the youngest, and most adorable, animals that call our parks home in this educational – and irresistibly cute – video and learn about where you can spot these animals in the wild. 

Get Dreaming

Photographer taking a photo in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park

Shutterstock / Kris Wiktor

Bask in Park Photography 

Feed your wanderlust with beautiful photography from our national parks. Check out photos from recent winners of our Share the Experience Photo Contest and learn about the history of photography in parks – from George Masa to Ansel Adams. Share your own beautiful photos of parks in our Share Your Park gallery. 

Plan Your Next Park Adventure 

While you have some down time, use the time to plan your next perfect national park adventure. Use our Find Your Park Quiz to pinpoint the parks that match your ideal trip. 

Create the Perfect Parks Playlist 

Sometimes a song can take us back to a memory – a feeling, a place. Create a park playlist perfect for a road trip to national parks, or one that captures your favorite park memory. Check out our National Parks Road Trip Playlist on Spotify for inspiration. 

Make sure to keep in touch with the National Park Foundation on social media – follow us on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram, and use #FindYourPark / #EncuentraTuParque to communicate with the NPF community. We’ll post other creative ways to stay in touch with the parks while indoors. Ready to get involved now? Start a Facebook fundraiser for the National Park Foundation.

Comments

Thanks so much for providing such worthwhile tools to keep families with children engaged in the natural heritage of their national parks. When so many "safer at home" restrictions are lifted let's hope this interest and enthusiasm can be translated into life-long stewardship!
James
Mills
I would ask to receive the National Parks pass for persons with full and permanent disability. I am SSDI / disabled veteran USMC. I can prove it. Please help me get this pass. The bright side of Covid, more accessibility to national parks :) That was a feeble attempt at a joke . Thanks for your help. Mike Chase
Michael Raymond
Chase
Hi Mike, Thank you for reaching out. The National Park Foundation does not sell park passes. Please contact the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) at 888-ASK-USGS (1-888-275-8747), extension 3 for information about park passes. Hope this helps!
NPF
Staff

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