Packing Tips:
1. Hip packs - We always pack the kids' fanny packs full of snacks (including some special treats/snacks they don't normally get at home) and water to keep them moving on the hikes ("We can eat a snack when we get to that shady rock!). They are then in charge of their own tummies and it makes for fewer whining sessions.
2. Coats - Both Yellowstone and Zion were REALLY cold in the mornings during the times of year that we went, so we kept the kids' heavy coats in the car with us in case we got to a hike and decided they'd be more comfortable with a bigger coat. The rest of the day the coats just sat in the car.
3. Food - We brought coolers with breakfast and lunch basics. We also brought an electric tea kettle to make warm drinks and hot cereal. My kids wake up early and are always starving, so this ensured we could stuff them full of food before they ate the other hotel guests. It also made it easy to pack lunches to take with us, since restaurants and stores are few and far between in National Parks. The restaurants are also sometimes pricey and don't always offer things the kids want to eat.
4. Driving Entertainment - We have an in-car DVD player, which we save for road trips. My mom also sent us with little gifts for the kids to open every few hours in the car. They were things like koosh balls to throw around at rest stops, a special snack, balloon toys, etc. Small things that won't take up too much room work best. We always bring a few movement activities for rest stops, like balls and frisbies.
In-Park Tips:
1. Junior Ranger - My kids were very motivated by the Junior Ranger program offered by the Park. We had more time at Yellowstone, so we worked through the packets while there and the kids earned their badges. I was really impressed with the Ranger Discussion we chose to go to as part of the program--I learned cool things!
2. Toileting - Never assume that your child's bladder is empty. We've had to use "nature's restroom" before when I thought they'd gone recently enough that one more stop wasn't necessary. Wrong.
3. Expectations - Matt and I were amazed at how slowly we moved on hikes, getting out the door, etc. Things just take longer when you're with the kids, and that's ok. The kids brought an old camera, digging/exploring tools, and notebooks, and had a wonderful time learning about and appreciating things we never really would have noticed had we been moving at our typical pace.
Any other National Park/hiking tips from y'all? What do you find works best with your kids?
