Resources for Families

Resources 

Here are some of our favorite resources, organizations, tutorials, and more from around the web to help you make the most of your time outside enjoying the beauty of nature. We welcome feedback and suggestions at [email protected].  Enjoy your outdoor adventure and share your photos and stories with us.

General Resources:

• Astronomy apps for stargazing 
• Astronomy Guide & Events Calendar 2021-2022 – Things to See in the Night Sky
• Bird Identification App
• Birding for beginners by Audubon
• Birding resources including videos and audio recordings from All About Birds
• Eat the Weeds’ plant foraging and identification videos
• Eyewitness Science Videos on YouTube 
• Fee-free days in national parks
• JourneyNorth – Tracking Migrations and Seasons
• Outdoor scavenger hunts for kids from Hands On As We Grow and Go Explore Nature
• Tips for photographing wildlife
• Tips on living a healthy life
• Tree identification guide 
• Why children should go outside

Where to Find Fun:

• L.L. Bean’s Parkfinder tool
• Directory of ice skating rinks 
• Directory of pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and hay rides
• Road trip route ideas 
• Pick your own produce directory
• American Trails Database 
• National Park Service List of National Scenic and Historic Trails
• National Park Pass for Fourth Graders and their Families (Free)
• National Park Foundation Kids Page 
• Natoinal Park Jr. Ranger Online Program 

In the Yard and Garden:

• Backyard Geology: A Guide for Homeowners and Families
• Backyard birding hobby 
• The Best Trees for Your Yard 
• Building an urban vegetable garden 
• Composting tips
• Discover the Fun of Backyard Geology 
• A gardening guide for kids
• General gardening tips from Farmer’s Almanac
• Health benefits of gardening 
• A Home Gardening Guide for the Family 
• How to create a butterfly-friendly habitat 
• How to plant a bee garden 
• Planting calendar for fruits and vegetables 
• Sustainability and Gardening: A Guide to Growing Your Own Organic Food
• Top 10 Easy to Grow Vegetables for Beginners

In the Home

• Create an indoor plant wall 
• Growing and blending your own herbs
• Nature Play at Home
• Indoor Plants that are Almost Impossible to Kill 
• The Ten Easiest Plants to Grow for Beginners 

Hiking/Camping:

• 7 apps for hitting the trails 
• American Hiking Society Events
• The Appalachian Trail Blog
• An Essential Guide for Using National Parks Responsibly
• Checklists & Essential Tips for Campers
• Get Started Camping 
• Map My Hike
• A Nurse’s First Aid Kit for the Wilderness 
• Tips for Camping with Dogs 
• The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Camping Trip

On the Water: 

• Kayaking Tip for Beginners 
• Intro to stand up paddleboarding
• What size paddleboard do I need? 
• Paddleboard costs