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Snowstorm Coming? Don’t Panic – Here Are 15 National Park Activities To Try At Home
Snowed in? At first, it’s all hot cocoa and cozy feelings – until the kids turn the living room into a wrestling arena. But being stuck inside doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. And we’ve got you covered.
Why not bring the magic of the great outdoors indoors? Inspired by the beauty of our national parks, we’ve rounded up some creative indoor activities to keep the whole family entertained. From hands-on crafts to fun, educational adventures, there’s something for everyone.
Think of this as your guide to turning cabin fever into something memorable. So, grab your supplies, spark some creativity, and let’s transform your snow day into an epic indoor adventure!
Plan A National Park-Themed Road Trip
Turn your snow day into a road trip adventure – real or imagined. Grab the family and plan your dream route to the Grand Canyon or your favorite national parks. Map out pit stops, must-see spots, and research fun facts along the way.
Use online tools to plan routes and check for entry fees. It’s a fun way to spark wanderlust and get ready for future trips. Pro tip: road trip planning isn’t complete without snacks like trail mix or crackers.
Learn To Whittle Using Soap Bars
Whittle away the snowy hours by grabbing some soap bars and butter knives (nothing sharp, please). Explore the fun of soap carving and channel your inner forest ranger. If you’ve got pine-scented soap, even better – it’s like whittling in the woods.
Let the kids create wild animal masterpieces or quirky little lumps that kind of look like animals. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s creativity, laughter, and a whole lot of soapy fun. Simple, safe, and perfect for sparking imaginations.
Design A Family “Trail Mix Taste Test” Challenge
Raid the pantry and turn snack time into a family trail mix showdown. Get creative and go fancy with dried mango and dark chocolate, or keep it classic with M&Ms and peanuts. The fun part? Naming each mix.
Try something wild like “Summit Snack Supreme” or “Trailblazer Crunch.” The winner scores ultimate bragging rights and first grabs for the next hike. It’s all about tasty fun, a little competition, and snacks you’ll actually want to take on the trail.
Build A Mini Campground In Your Living Room
Transform your living room into a cozy campsite. Drape some twinkling lights over the furniture “trees” and set up a tent (or just a blanket fort). For the true camping vibe, toast marshmallows over a tealight candle – extra points if they catch fire!
Swap campfire ghost stories for funny tales about sneaky squirrels stealing snacks. Indoor camping is the perfect way to bring outdoor adventure home, with no bugs or bad weather required.
Create A Family Hiking Challenge For Your Next Trip
Missing the trails? Plan your next family hike and make it a challenge. Pick a trail distance, elevation gain, or specific landmark to reach. Create a team challenge or individual “personal best” goals.
Research local parks and choose one that interests everyone. Maybe find a park with breathtaking views or unique features like waterfalls or wildlife sightings. The anticipation of conquering new trails will get you through even the snowiest days.
Stage A Park-Themed Puppet Show
Turn everyday objects into a park-themed puppet show. A sock with googly eyes can transform into a bear, and a cereal box becomes a ranger’s cabin.
Challenge your kids to craft a storyline – maybe an adventurous day in Yellowstone or a black bear rebellion in the Smokies. Then, bring that creativity to life and make it an event by “attending” the show with popcorn in hand.
Paint Glow-In-The-Dark Constellations On Your Ceiling
Transform your ceiling into a Joshua Tree night sky. Using glow-in-the-dark paint or stick-on stars, map out constellations for that dreamy, stargazing effect. A star chart helps you get the patterns just right, while a projector can add a touch of motion.
Perfect for cloudy nights or when you need a peaceful escape, this DIY brings the magic of desert camping indoors. Create your own serene retreat – your family will thank you every time they look up.
Start A National Park Family Picture Album
Keep your memories alive and get nostalgic by starting a family picture album. It’s simple – grab some paper, markers, and photos from past park trips. Let each family member draw their own photo album cover or write about their favorite national park memory.
Then, keep the tradition going by adding to the album after every trip – whether it’s a snow day adventure or a summer road trip. It’s a creative way to document your love for our nation’s stunning parks.
Learn Outdoor Survival Skills
Stuck at home but dreaming of the outdoors? It’s the perfect time to teach some key survival skills to those kiddos. Show your crew how to tie knots, start a fire without matches (but safely, please), or pack for an emergency.
It’s hands-on, practical, and even a little fun – and who knows, these lessons might just make your kids the stars of their next summer camp. Practical skills today, outdoor heroes tomorrow.
Study Stargazing Techniques
Dreaming of stargazing but stuck under city lights? Bring the night sky to life inside your home. Dive into books or apps to uncover constellations, star stories, and the secrets behind Orion’s Belt.
No telescope? Don’t sweat it – binoculars work great for spotting moon craters. Because stargazing isn’t about the gear; it’s about curiosity, connection, and a little imagination.
Hold A National Park Film Festival
Forget Netflix – turn your living room into Park Cinema. Host a National Geographic movie night with stunning documentaries featuring wildlife, national parks, and jaw-dropping scenery. Got a 4K or 8K TV? Stream ultra-clear landscapes on YouTube for an unforgettable visual experience.
Make it feel like a real theater by crafting DIY tickets and setting up a snack bar with everyone’s favorite treats.
Make A National Park Themed Stop-Motion Movie
Stop-motion filmmaking is easier than it looks. Grab some LEGO sets or action figures and let your imagination run wild. Whether it’s daring adventurers or quirky mountain goats, your backyard (or living room) can become the perfect film set.
Snap each scene frame by frame, then bring it all to life in no time. Snowed in? No problem. This could be your chance to add “Kitchen Filmmaker Extraordinaire” to your resume.
Build A Birdhouse Or Feeder
Invite nature right to your window by creating a birdhouse or feeder. Use recycled materials or grab a kit online to get started. Once the snow melts, set it up outside and watch as birds flock to their new hangout.
Bonus idea: Brush up on identifying your feathered guests to channel your inner bird expert. It’s a fun, eco-friendly way to connect with wildlife and add a little joy to each day.
Create A National Park Bucket List
Dream big and build the ultimate family park bucket list together. Add iconic spots like Zion, Banff, or Acadia, and dive into researching each location’s must-sees (and must-eats). Planning as a team gets everyone excited, even as winter fades into that muddy spring chaos.
Your list will keep the adventure alive and inspire the whole family to get out and explore. So grab your maps, your snacks, and your imagination – it’s time to dream up your next adventure.
Simulate Geysers Using Science Experiments
Snowed in but dreaming of Yellowstone? Bring the geyser fun home with a DIY science experiment. Mix baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring to create your own erupting geysers.
Let the kids name their colorful explosions and give a ranger-style announcement before the “eruption.” Just be ready for a bit of a mess – it’s all part of the fun. And who needs Old Faithful when your kitchen can be its own bubbling adventure?
Decorate Park-Themed Cookies
Baking just got wild. Grab some cookie cutters or go freestyle to create fun “wildlife” shapes like bears, squirrels, or even a moose. Once baked, bring your edible winter wonderland to life with icing and sprinkles.
Get creative – think of it as your own Yosemite National Park (make sure to bake some trees!) Want to spice things up? Turn it into a friendly competition and give the best-decorated cookie a marshmallow medal.
Design Park-Inspired Family T-Shirts
Grab some fabric paint and plain white tees for a fun family DIY. Assign everyone a famous park, like Yellowstone or Glacier, and create custom designs featuring its logo or an iconic feature. Use stencils or freehand your artwork – whatever suits your style.
And these personalized tees aren’t just a creative project; they’ll turn your next outdoor adventure into a picture-perfect, Instagram-worthy moment.
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