Are You Ready? Kids to Parks Day is Right Around the Corner!

We are gearing up for our 15th annual Kids to Parks Day, celebrated this year on Saturday, May 17th. This is a national day of outdoor play, connecting kids and families with their local, state, and national parks and public lands through hundreds of park events that promote discovery and exploration in the great outdoors. Not sure where to start? Check out these six ways to prepare for Kids to Parks Day:

Find an event near you. Nearly 300 events have been registered for Kids to Parks Day, with more being added every day! Finding one near you is quick and easy with our interactive map. Join thousands of families across the nation who use our site to discover nearby parks for celebrating a day of outdoor play!

Host an event. Do you manage a park or public lands or waters and are interested in hosting an awesome event? You can register it on our website, enhancing visibility and maximizing the chances of a great turnout!

Leave a park better than you found it. Transforming spaces and fostering environmental stewardship starts with small, impactful actions. Make a tangible change by participating in park cleanups! By carrying a trash bag with you on your outdoor excursions, you can easily collect any litter you come across and leave the park or trail better than when you found it.

Encourage your hometown or city to proclaim the day. Spread the joy of outdoor exploration and community connection! We encourage cities, towns, and parks & recreation departments across the country to proclaim May 17, 2025, as “National Kids to Parks Day.” We even have a convenient online tool to streamline the process.

Capture the moment and spread the word. Whether you are attending a registered event, grabbing your friends or family to explore a new outdoor space, or celebrating solo, we want to hear about it! Take pictures of your adventures and share them with us and your community. This is a great way to be an advocate for the ongoing preservation of our nation’s parks.

As we welcome the warmer weather and summer months, let the outdoors be your playground for growth and exploration. Research consistently demonstrates the profound positive impact of outdoor experiences on mental and physical health. From reducing stress and anxiety to enhancing cognitive functions like memory and attention, the therapeutic effects of nature are undeniable.

So, what are you waiting for? We can’t wait to celebrate with you!