Free US National Park Pass for 4th Graders in 2022-2023 plus books for your outdoorsy kid

Sep 23

Written By Mandy

Do you have a new 4th grader (or homeschool equivalent) for the 2022-2023 school year? Great!

Then you need to make sure you're taking advantage of the Every Kid Outdoors program. I am on a mission to get out the news that every American 4th grader and their families can enter any of the over 400 national park sites for free for one full year! And not just national parks, but access to BLM, NOAA, UFWS, COE, and USFS! There are countless places in every setting, including urban areas, to visit with these passes.

All three of our boys got their passes in 4th grade and we did more exploring in those years than you could ever imagine. They were empowered to explore and learn because they were excited to have something special for 4th graders. We went to Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dunes, Glacier, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone National Parks during their pass years.

How to get your child’s free 4th grade National Park pass

Every Kid Outdoors is an excellent program designed to get kids and their families out into nearly every area of federal land and water. Seriously any place you could think of! It is supported by the US Department of the Interior and will be good all through the summer.

Why 4th grade? The theory is that this age (9-11 years old) is perfect for exploration and a sense that this land also belongs to them. And it is so true!

The best part? It is SOOOO easy to get one! Grab your kiddo and help them get their own pass here. And with all the info the website has, I encourage you to reach out to your teachers and fellow parents to share it with their own students.

Tip: After you print your paper pass your child may exchange it for a card-style pass at most NPS sites.

Find out everything you need to know at https://everykidoutdoors.gov/about.htm

Best books about US National Parks for kids

If you’d like to use this pass as a wonderful opportunity to teach your kids more about the parks, I highly recommend these books from Amazon:

National Parks of the USA - I LOVE the illustrations in this book! It’s also full of in-depth information on different parks around the country. Perfect for making your bucket list.

National Parks of the USA: Activity Book - this activity book goes hand in hand with the original book and makes the experience even more immersive with fun activities for your road trip or anytime!

National Parks Guide USA - from National Geographic Kids this is the perfect book for kids who love getting all the details and interesting knowledge. The only downside to this book is that it was created for the 2016 NPS centennial celebration so it lacks a few of the parks that have been added since then.

America’s National Parks - if you’re a fan of Lonely Planet tour books then you’ll love the kids’ version too. This cute book is informational, from animals to history, but also an activity book - a perfect all-in-one for excited kids.

how to get a free national park pass for 4th graders and homeschoolers and take your family to Grand Teton National Park

Bring Along GyPSy Guide On Your Next National Park Trip!

A GyPSy Guide tour is the perfect choice for any national parks trip because it provides a comprehensive, flexible, and cost-effective way to explore the parks. Whether you're traveling alone or with a group, a GyPSy Guide tour will enhance your experience and help you get the most out of your visit.

Self-guided audio tours: GyPSy Guide tours provide self-guided audio tours that allow visitors to explore the parks at their own pace. This means that visitors can spend as much time as they like at each location, without feeling rushed.
Comprehensive commentary: The audio tours provide a comprehensive commentary on the history, geology, and culture of the parks. This commentary is both informative and entertaining, making it ideal for visitors of all ages.
GPS-enabled app: The tours are GPS-enabled, which means that visitors don't have to worry about getting lost or missing important locations. The app provides turn-by-turn directions, ensuring that visitors can navigate the parks with ease.
Flexibility and customization: Visitors can customize their tours to suit their interests and preferences. The app provides suggestions for places to stop and explore, but visitors can choose which locations to visit and how much time to spend at each one.
Cost-effective: GyPSy Guide tours are cost-effective, as they provide a comprehensive tour at a fraction of the cost of a private tour guide. Visitors can enjoy a high-quality tour without breaking the bank.

Find a GyPSy Guide tour for places like Utah’s Mighty 5, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Rocky Mountain, Great Smokies, and many many more!

We have loved GyPSy Guides since 2018 and look forward to using them every time we visit a new area, and now we are a GyPSy affiliate! This means when you use any of our links above to purchase a guide we get a small commission with no extra cost to you. Thank you for using our links!