Junior Snow Ranger Program
Have kids? The popular summer Junior Ranger program has a special winter program. Kids from 5 to 12 can earn a cool winter badge when they complete their activities. The program is based on age-appropriate activities and easy to follow. You can sign-up at the Visitor's Centers (at West Yellowstone, Old Faithful, or Mammoth). The activity book is $3.00 and allows each child to choose from activities focusing on geology, wildlife adaptation, weather, snow crystals and more. In addition to completing an age-appropriate activity paper, participants attend a program let by a park ranger, record wildlife observations, make a record of geyser and hot spring activity, and hike, ski, or snowshoe a trail.
The winter program differs from the summer one in that you can also check out a "snowpack" for a program. The Snowpack includes special equipment like a crystal card hand lens for looking at snow layering, a thermometer for measuring variations in temperature in different layers, and a wind gauge anemometer for weather-related activity.
Yellowstone Winter Tips for Kids
- Always explore with an adult. Watch for animals, like bison and elk, and give them plenty of space.
- Stay on marked trails and boardwalks. Don't climb large snow banks next to roads and driveways where you could slide dow into traffic.
- Hot Springs, thermals, and geysers stay hot year round. Follow the same rules around these places as you would in the summer.
- Dress in layers. Start with a good quality pair of thermal underwear tops and bottoms. Add warm socks. Next, layer on a turtleneck or sweater and a quality pair of water/wind resistant bibs or pants.
- The ideal coat should also have wind flaps over the zippers and should have the ability to fit snuggly around the child's waist and wrists in order to keep out the cold.
- Your head, hands and feet get the coldest so make sure to wear a warm hat that covers the ears. Quality gloves and boots that fit properly will keep snow out and everything dry and warm. (Avoid long scarves that can get tangled.)
- Clothing should be both water and wind resistant. (Bright colors will stand out and not blend in with snowdrifts!) Even with multiple layers of clothing, it is still important for children to move freely. Thinner, well insulated clothing works better than thick or too tight clothing that they'll try to remove.
- The sun's rays can still cause sunburn in the winter on both sunny and gray days. Apply SPF 30 sunscreen to any exposed areas of the face, and use good quality goggles or sunglasses.
- Keep hydrated. Even though it is cold, it is still dry and high! Bring (and continually drink) extra bottles of water.
