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

We are gearing up for our 14th annual Kids to Parks Day, celebrated this year on Saturday, May 18th. 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!

Download the ParkPassport App. Hundreds of parks, including local, state, and national parks, national marine sanctuaries, and marine national monuments are participating in Kids to Parks Day across the country. No event near you? Find a local park or trail and create your own! We have a wealth of resources you can download and use for inspiration. Plus, don’t miss out on the exclusive Kids to Parks Day badge on our app, a limited-time collectible only available during this special season!

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 18, 2024, 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. We are delighted to partner this year with the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Heart Association to promote the benefits of Kids to Parks Day.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!