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We will be spending a few days in Yellowstone next week. DS5 is very excited. Any recommendations for a science and nature loving five year old?

Any specific questions/needs? We were there several weeks ago (our two are 11 and 13, and one had a stress fracture of her foot, so we were on a somewhat altered plan).

Really, the whole place is a playground for nature/science lovers. Most of the visitor centers are well-done and have helpful and interesting exhibits. We had planned on more hikes, but the park is very accessible so even with the huge boot on DDs foot we were able to visit just about everything we wanted; some hikes we curtailed, or DH doubled back and picked us up to lessen the walking for her. There are junior ranger programs, I think they may be aimed at a slightly older age but I would think your DD would enjoy them (our kids are no longer interested😔). You can sign up for ranger-led activities daily, from most visitor centers (when you enter the park, you get a map and list of things going on). I would consider purchasing a driving tour (depending on your plans)- we used an app with park rangers describing geology and history but it was glitchy; there were other programs for sale once in the park, some based on GPS landmarks, which sounded good. We bought and pre-read several basic guide books, all had sections on geology and wildlife, some on Native Americans of the area, etc. Each visitor center we went in had a nice selection of books and guides; I think there was a kid's book section in each and most had guides to various disciplines, as well as workbook-type books if you are into those.

Have a great time- we loved it and are hoping to visit sometime in the winter. The exposure to geology and geologic processes is absolutely marvelous, and the wildlife viewing was spectacular.

Make sure he sees the Junior Ranger program. The activities should be perfect for him.

We're visiting next month, and we are really looking forward to it.

We have been to Yellowstone in summer and winter. Winter is particulary fantastic, although you need to make reservations well ahead of time in the park (lodging and snow cat rides in/out, as the park is closed to auto traffic in the winter).

We've visited in the spring (though not with our DD); it was a distinct and very lovely time of the year-- not yet too hot for hiking even long distances, UNCROWDED...

and baby animals everywhere. The snow melt also meant that the falls were spectacular-- beyond description, really. But in addition, parts of the upper loop were closed because they hadn't yet been cleared.

Still, if I were taking DD I think I would try for spring or fall. It was an amazing place. Grand Teton is also amazing, but probably not quite as flamboyantly appealing at this age.

I haven't ever been to Yellowstone (but hope to get there with my kids :))... but fwiw would add another plug for the Jr. Ranger program - our kids have done it at quite a few other NPs and loved it when they were younger Some of the NPs have an additional program too - can't remember what it's called, but it includes more science experiment types of things - materials included along with instructions. I have fond memories of testing the ph level of water samples on one of our vacations with ph strips that had obviously outlived their life span - and not being able to convince my kids that the issue was the strips

Have fun!

polarbear