20 tips and tricks to explore Yellowstone with kids

Yellowstone National Park is one of the most spectacular wonders in all of the world. And everyone is welcome, kids included. There’s tons to do with your family there. So, here’s some tips and tricks as you visit Yellowstone with kids. Check it out!

Yellowstone sign — *My cute family visiting Yellowstone*

I have been to Yellowstone so many times, I have lost count. As a child, I remember watching the fires of 1988 from a distance on the mountainside. So, believe me when I say, that I’ve learned a thing or two about going to Yellowstone with kids. Here’s some tips that will hopefully help you on your next adventure to this beautiful national park.

Activities and games while in the park

There are lots of fun games and activities that you can enjoy with your kids while you’re in the park to make it more fun. Here’s a few ideas:

Spotting animals: Whoever spots the first bear, elk or bison gets $5. Change the amount or animals. But it gets your kids excited about watching the wildlife
Photo contest: After the vacation, vote on the best photos that everyone took during the trip. You can have categories like, “Best Animal”, “Best nature” or “Best person”.
License plate game: People come from all over the world to Yellowstone, so you can usually spot a license plate from every state in the U.S. Here’s a fun template to get you started.
Junior Ranger Program: For any child ages 4 and older, they can pick up a Junior Ranger booklet at any visitor center in the park. Once the booklet is complete, they can become junior rangers turn their booklet in to a park ranger in for a Junior Ranger badge.

Fun hikes and cool sites that kids love

Uncle Tom’s Trail: This amazing hike takes you from the top of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone down to the base of Lower Falls. There are 328 steps that take you down to the bottom. It’s a bit strenuous going back up but it’s a hike that I have always loved.
Grand Prismatic Spring: Not far from the west entrance of Yellowstone is a very popular boardwalk hike around the Grand Prismatic Spring. It’s breathtaking and easy for kids.
Swimming at the Firehole River: This giant, natural swimming pool is so gorgeous and fun for the whole family. It’s usually only open in mid-summer, so check with a ranger for details.
Yellowstone Suspension Bridge: It’s only about a mile to hike down to this beautiful bridge. And the views are definitely worth it.
Mammoth Hot Springs: My favorite memories of Yellowstone have been in Mammoth. You can almost always find a huge elk relaxing on the grass. And we always have a picnic and walk around the gift shops.
Old Faithful Overlook: Instead of fighting the crowds in front of Old Faithful, take a short hike up the Observation Point Trail and watch Old Faithful erupt from the mountainside.
Other fun places: Some other fun places I recommend visiting in Yellowstone include Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, West Thumb Geyser Basin, Yellowstone Lake, Upper Geyser Basin, Lamar Valley, Old Faithful Visitor Education Center, Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, Boiling River, Old Faithful Inn and Hayden Valley.

Ice cream at Yellowstone General Stores — *Ice cream at a Yellowstone General Store in Canyon Village*

Yellowstone hacks with kids

Aside from cool hikes and fun games, I’ve learned a thing or two while traveling through the park with kids that helps a lot.

Enter the park early: Unless you want to be waiting in a long, hours-long line, I suggest arriving in the park around 7 a.m. Yep, you heard me.
Kid binoculars: People are always stopping on the side of the road staring at an animal on the mountainside with their binoculars. You can let your kids be part of the fun by buying them some kid binoculars. Don’t buy them in the park. They are overpriced and cheaply made.
Fourth Grader Pass: If you have a 4th grader, you can get into Yellowstone for FREE! As part of the Every Kid Outdoors Program, all 4th graders can get a national parks pass for free.
Ice cream: Most of the general stores in the park sell ice cream cones. They’re a bit overpriced, but totally worth it. My kids love getting ice cream in Yellowstone.
Fishing: Kids under 15 years old don’t have to have a fishing license to fish in Yellowstone. So grab a pole and stop by one of the many rivers in Yellowstone.

Fun stuff outside the park

After you’ve had your fun at Yellowstone, there’s lots to do just outside of Yellowstone as well. Here’s just a few ideas:

Yellowstone Bear World: Sometimes it’s kind of hard to spot a bear in Yellowstone, so you can get your fill out bear world in Rexburg, Idaho. We loved it and saw so many bears including grizzly bears!
Mountain Man Rendezous: Usually held the first couple weeks of August in West Yellowstone, this rendezvous is packed full of fun booths selling authentic mountain man gear and fun activities for the kids.
West Yellowstone Rodeo: Enjoy some barrel racing, bull riding and team roping at this fun rodeo held 5-6 days per week from June to August in West Yellowstone.
Yellowstone IMAX theater: Before you head into the park, stop by for a breathtaking IMAX movie about Yellowstone near the visitor’s center outside of the west entrance.

I hope these ideas get you excited about visiting Yellowstone and make it a little bit easier with your kids. My own children love Yellowstone and I hope you will too.

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