Enjoy the Park with your Children

Do you remember how wild terrain, even a small corner of a natural landscape, would entice you as a child? A stand of trees, a mossy log in the corner park, or a winding path down to quiet stream were all enchanting spots to explore.

The key to any good outdoor experience with children is to scale the adventure to their interests and abilities. Possibilities range from short walks along paved interpretive trails for the very young, to day hikes for elementary-aged children, to back-country camping for older kids.

In Olympic National Park, the interpretive trail at the Hoh Visitor Center will introduce children to a truly astonishing ecosystem, the temperate rain forests of the Olympic Peninsula. The environment here is otherworldly, with moss and other plant-life covering every possible surface. Trails are short, flat and kid-friendly.

An overnight camping trip can be an extraordinary adventure for young children. Even the most basic campsite tasks can assume an exotic allure in the woods, and then there is paradise to explore just beyond the campsite.

The right gear is especially important for an overnight trip. Most children have a harder time than adults shrugging off physical discomfort, so it is especially important to have warm clothing. A warm sleeping bag, rain gear, comfortable shoes for the campsite, and a hat to keep warm at night can all help to ensure a good time.