Discover Yellowstone National Park with kids! Age-specific tips for visiting iconic spots like Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and Lamar Valley.
THE ULTIMATE PARENT’S GUIDE
Visit the Yellowstone National Park
Fun Facts
Interesting Things To Know About Yellowstone National Park
- Welcome to Yellowstone, America’s first national park and home to half of the world’s geothermal features!
- WOW! The park sits on top of a “supervolcano” that could fill 11 Grand Canyons!
- HOLY MOLY! There are more than 10,000 geothermal features in the park!
- SUPER COOL! Yellowstone has more wild animals than almost anywhere else in America!
- AMAZING! The park has over 290 waterfalls, with some taller than a 30-story building!
- INCREDIBLE! Yellowstone is bigger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined!
Must-Visit Spots
Where To Go At Yellowstone National Park
Old Faithful Geyser Get Ready for the Old Faithful Geyser : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Watch in amazement as this famous geyser shoots boiling water up to 180 feet into the air every 90 minutes!
INTERESTING FACT! Old Faithful is so predictable that park rangers can tell you within 10 minutes when it will erupt next – it’s like nature’s very own clock!
COOL ACTIVITY! Create a geyser prediction journal! Help your child draw pictures of Old Faithful before, during, and after eruption, and write down the exact time you see it erupt.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: Why do you think the geyser shoots water up into the sky?
DISCUSS: Deep underground, water gets super-heated by hot rocks, just like a pressure cooker in your kitchen!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Imagine a pot of boiling water with a tight lid – eventually, the steam needs somewhere to go! In Yellowstone, the underground water gets so hot (over 200°F!) that it builds up pressure until it has no choice but to burst upward through small cracks in the rocks. This is similar to shaking a bottle of soda and opening it – all that pressure has to go somewhere! The water underground is heated by magma, which is melted rock, and when it shoots up, it creates these amazing geyser shows we can watch.
ASK YOUR KIDS: If you could design your own geyser, what colors would it be, and how high would it shoot?
DISCUSS: The different colors you see around geysers come from tiny living things called thermophiles that love super-hot water!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: These amazing microscopic organisms create beautiful rings of color around hot springs and geysers. The orange and brown colors come from organisms that love temperatures around 160°F, while the green and blue colors come from different organisms that prefer slightly cooler waters. It’s like nature’s rainbow ring! Scientists study these tough little creatures because they can survive in conditions that would be too hot for most other living things. Some scientists think similar organisms might even exist on other planets!
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Count how many different colors you can spot in the geyser basin around Old Faithful.
HINT: Look for rings of orange, blue, green, and brown in the surrounding area.
OBJECTIVE: Time the eruption with a watch or phone and compare it to the prediction time posted at the visitor center.
HINT: The eruption usually lasts between 1.5 to 5 minutes.
Grand Prismatic Spring Get Ready for the Grand Prismatic Spring : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? See the largest hot spring in America, featuring stunning rainbow colors that look like they’re from another planet!
INTERESTING FACT! The spring is deeper than a 10-story building and as big as a football field!
COOL ACTIVITY! Create a rainbow temperature map! Using colored pencils, draw the different colored rings you see and label what each color might mean about the water’s temperature.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: Why do you think the spring has so many different colors?
DISCUSS: The center of the spring is as hot as the water that comes out of your kitchen sink when it’s turned all the way to hot – about 160°F!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The beautiful colors in Grand Prismatic Spring are like nature’s mood ring! The blue center is the hottest part, while the orange and brown edges are cooler. Just like how we wear different clothes for different temperatures, tiny organisms that live in the spring prefer different temperatures and create these amazing colors. The deep blue center is too hot for most organisms, which is why it stays that brilliant blue color.
ASK YOUR KIDS: If you could swim in rainbow water (that wasn’t hot!), which color would you want to swim in first?
DISCUSS: The spring produces enough water to fill 50 bathtubs every minute!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: While we can’t swim in Grand Prismatic Spring, it’s fun to imagine what it would be like to float in rainbow water. The spring is constantly changing and moving, like a giant natural watercolor painting. The colors we see are actually created by billions of tiny living things, smaller than a grain of salt! These microscopic artists paint the spring in different shades depending on the season and temperature.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Look for steam rising from the spring and try to spot a rainbow in it!
HINT: The best time to see rainbows in the steam is on sunny mornings.
OBJECTIVE: Find the boardwalk viewing spot where you can see all the colors at once.
HINT: Look for the elevated platform that gives you the best view of the entire spring.
Mammoth Hot Springs Get Ready for the Mammoth Hot Springs : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Explore what looks like a giant frozen waterfall made of white rock, where hot water creates new formations every day!
INTERESTING FACT! The terraces grow about 2-3 feet each year – that’s taller than most kids your age!
COOL ACTIVITY! Create a “living sculpture” by having your child pose like the flowing water, freezing in different positions to show how the terraces form over time.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: If you could build a castle out of this white rock, what would it look like?
DISCUSS: The white rock is actually limestone that forms when hot water brings minerals up from underground, just like building with nature’s Lego blocks!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: These terraces are like nature’s architecture project that never ends. The hot water carries dissolved limestone (like sugar in hot tea) and when it cools down, the limestone “freezes” into these amazing shapes. It’s similar to how icicles form in winter, but these formations are made of rock instead of ice! Some formations look like frozen waterfalls, others like giant stairs, and some even resemble castles.
ASK YOUR KIDS: What do you think makes the water different colors on the terraces?
DISCUSS: The colors change with the seasons and temperature, like leaves changing color in fall!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The terraces are home to tiny organisms that create beautiful colors depending on how hot the water is. In warmer months, you might see orange, brown, and green colors. In cooler times, the terraces might look more white and gray. It’s like nature’s mood ring that changes colors based on temperature! These organisms are so tough they can live in water that’s hotter than your bath water.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find three different terrace shapes and give them creative names based on what they look like.
HINT: Look for shapes that remind you of everyday objects or animals.
OBJECTIVE: Count how many different colors you can spot in the flowing water.
HINT: The best viewing is during mid-day when the sun is brightest.
Wildlife Viewing in Lamar Valley Get Ready for the Wildlife Viewing in Lamar Valley : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? See Yellowstone’s amazing animals in their natural habitat, including bison, elk, and maybe even wolves!
INTERESTING FACT! Bison can run faster than Olympic sprinters and jump higher than a kitchen table!
COOL ACTIVITY! Create an animal spotting journal – draw pictures of the animals you see and mark where you spotted them on a simple map.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do you think these animals stay warm during the cold Yellowstone winters?
DISCUSS: Bison have fur so thick and warm that snow can pile up on their backs without melting!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: These amazing animals have special adaptations to survive in Yellowstone’s harsh winters. Bison have thick fur coats with two layers – a soft, warm inner layer and a tough outer layer that keeps out wind and rain. It’s like wearing both a sweater and a raincoat! Elk grow thicker fur in winter and can even reduce their heart rate to save energy, like going into power-saving mode on a tablet.
ASK YOUR KIDS: If you could be any Yellowstone animal for a day, which would you choose and why?
DISCUSS: Wolf pups play games just like human children, including chase and tug-of-war!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Each animal in Yellowstone has its own special “superpowers.” Wolves can hear other wolves howl from up to 10 miles away – that’s like hearing someone call you from the other side of town! Bison use their huge heads like snow plows in winter to find food under the snow. Eagles can see fish swimming from high up in the sky, and bears have an incredible sense of smell that’s seven times better than a bloodhound’s!
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Try to spot three different types of animals and observe what they’re doing.
HINT: Early morning and evening are the best times to see animals active.
OBJECTIVE: Look for animal tracks in muddy areas or snow (from a safe distance).
HINT: Compare the size of tracks to your own footprint.
Other Nearby Points of Interest
Other great things to do near Yellowstone National Park
BEFORE YOU LEAVE – Make sure to check out more of what this area has to offer! Here are a few nearby spots that we think you’ll love just as much as the Yellowstone National Park:
Grand Teton National Park: Just 10 miles south of Yellowstone, this park offers spectacular mountain views, crystal-clear lakes, and amazing wildlife viewing opportunities perfect for young explorers.
Museum of the Rockies (Bozeman, MT): About 90 minutes from the North Entrance, this fantastic museum features one of the largest dinosaur fossil collections in the world and a super-fun children’s area.
Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center (West Yellowstone, MT): Right outside the park’s West Entrance, this wildlife park lets kids safely observe bears and wolves up close, plus participate in fun educational programs designed for young children.
Read before you go
To make your visit even more exciting, check out these age-appropriate books:
- What’s So Great About… Yellowstone?” by Brooke Rowe (ages 4-8)
- Who Pooped in the Park? Yellowstone National Park” by Gary D. Robson (ages 4-8)
- Y is for Yellowstone” by Judith Nordberg (ages 4-7)
- National Geographic Kids’ Yellowstone videos on YouTube
- Old Faithful Geyser for Kids” educational video series
- PBS Kids’ Wild Kratts episodes featuring Yellowstone wildlife
Fun Facts
Interesting Things To Know About Yellowstone National Park
- Welcome to Yellowstone, America’s first national park and home to half of the world’s geothermal features!
- HOLY COW! The park sits on top of a supervolcano that could fit the entire city of Tokyo in its caldera!
- WOW! There are more than 10,000 hydrothermal features in Yellowstone, including geysers, hot springs, mudpots, and fumaroles!
- SUPER COOL! The park’s Morning Glory Pool used to be bright blue but has changed colors over time due to visitors throwing coins and trash into it!
- MIND-BLOWING! Yellowstone’s bison can run up to 35 mph and jump up to 6 feet vertically – that’s higher than most NBA players can jump!
- FIRE! The bacteria mats in Yellowstone’s hot springs are being studied by NASA to understand how life might exist on other planets!
Must-Visit Spots
Where To Go At Yellowstone National Park
Old Faithful Geyser and Upper Geyser Basin Get Ready for the Old Faithful Geyser and Upper Geyser Basin : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Watch one of the world’s most famous geysers erupt with clockwork precision, shooting thousands of gallons of boiling water up to 180 feet into the air!
INTERESTING FACT! Old Faithful isn’t actually the biggest or most regular geyser in Yellowstone, but it’s the most predictable, erupting every 90 minutes, give or take 10 minutes.
COOL ACTIVITY! Create a mini-geyser experiment! Time the eruption with a stopwatch and calculate when the next one will occur. Make predictions about the height and duration of the next eruption.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: Why do you think they named it ‘Old Faithful’? What makes something reliable?
DISCUSS: Old Faithful has erupted over a million times since Yellowstone became a national park in 1872, and its timing has remained remarkably consistent.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The geyser’s reliability comes from its unique underground plumbing system. Unlike other geysers that have multiple underground chambers and complicated tunnel systems, Old Faithful has a relatively simple structure. This makes its eruption pattern more predictable. The water underground heats up to about 244°F (118°C), building pressure until it has to escape, creating the spectacular show we see above ground.
ASK YOUR KIDS: If you could design your own geyser, what pattern would you give it and why?
DISCUSS: Some geysers in Yellowstone, like Steamboat Geyser, can shoot water over 300 feet high – that’s taller than the Statue of Liberty!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Geysers are like nature’s pressure cookers. Each has its own unique “personality” based on its underground shape and size. Some, like Steamboat, are unpredictable but massive, while others, like Old Faithful, are more regular. The heat source for all these geysers is a massive magma chamber beneath Yellowstone, which is actually a supervolcano!
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Count how many different colors you can spot in the bacterial mats around Old Faithful.
HINT: Look for oranges, blues, and greens in the runoff channels.
OBJECTIVE: Find and sketch three different types of geyser formations.
HINT: Look for cone geysers, fountain geysers, and pool geysers around the basin.
Grand Prismatic Spring Get Ready for the Grand Prismatic Spring : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Experience the largest hot spring in the United States, famous for its stunning rainbow colors that look like they’re from another planet!
INTERESTING FACT! The spring’s vibrant colors come from different types of thermophilic (heat-loving) bacteria that thrive in extreme temperatures.
COOL ACTIVITY! Create a color wheel of the spring by sketching or photographing each distinct color band you see, then research what causes each color.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do you think these bacteria survive in water that’s hot enough to cook an egg?
DISCUSS: The bacteria in Grand Prismatic Spring can survive in temperatures up to 175°F (80°C), which would kill most other living things instantly.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: These extraordinary microorganisms are called extremophiles, and they’re so tough that scientists study them to understand how life might exist on other planets! Each color band represents different species of bacteria living at specific temperatures. The blue center is too hot for any life, while the orange and brown outer edges are “cool” enough for certain bacteria to thrive.
ASK YOUR KIDS: Why do you think the spring looks different in winter versus summer?
DISCUSS: The spring’s colors are most vibrant in summer because the bacteria produce more pigments when there’s more sunlight.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The bacteria act like tiny solar panels, using sunlight for energy. In winter, when there’s less sun, they produce fewer pigments, making the colors less intense. The steam rising from the spring also affects how we see the colors – on cold days, there’s more steam, which can make the spring harder to see clearly.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Look for the “living rainbow” pattern and try to identify all the colors in order from the center outward.
HINT: Start with the deep blue center and work your way to the orange edges.
OBJECTIVE: Find evidence of ancient bacterial mats in the surrounding rock formations.
HINT: Look for layered patterns in the rocks near the spring’s edges.
Mammoth Hot Springs Get Ready for the Mammoth Hot Springs : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Explore an otherworldly landscape of white terraces that look like a frozen waterfall made of marble!
INTERESTING FACT! These terraces grow and change daily, adding new layers of travertine (limestone) at a rate of up to 3 feet per year.
COOL ACTIVITY! Create a time-lapse photo series by taking pictures from the same spot at different times during your visit to see if you can spot any changes.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: If you could travel back in time, how different do you think these terraces would look 100 years ago?
DISCUSS: Some terraces that were flowing with water just decades ago are now completely dry, while new ones have formed in different locations!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The hot springs are constantly reshaping the landscape, like an artist working with living stone. Underground water dissolves limestone and carries it to the surface, where it cools and creates new rock formations. This process has been going on for thousands of years, creating different patterns and formations. Scientists estimate that about 2 tons of travertine rock is deposited here every day!
ASK YOUR KIDS: Why do you think some areas of the terraces are colorful while others are pure white?
DISCUSS: The white color comes from calcium carbonate (limestone), but when thermophilic bacteria are present, they create stunning oranges, browns, and greens.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Think of the terraces like a living painting where different temperatures create different colors. Areas with active hot water flow host colorful bacteria, while dry or cooler areas remain white. The bacteria here are similar to those in Grand Prismatic Spring but create different patterns because of the unique mineral composition of the water.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find and photograph three different types of terrace formations.
HINT: Look for shelf-like structures, cascade patterns, and dome formations.
OBJECTIVE: Locate an area where you can see both active (wet) and inactive (dry) terraces.
HINT: Compare the colors and textures between flowing and non-flowing areas.
Lamar Valley Get Ready for the Lamar Valley : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Welcome to “America’s Serengeti,” where you can spot incredible wildlife like wolves, bison, bears, and elk in their natural habitat!
INTERESTING FACT! This valley is home to one of the largest wild bison herds in North America, descendants of just 23 wild bison that survived near extinction in the early 1900s.
COOL ACTIVITY! Create a wildlife spotting journal – sketch or photograph the animals you see and note their behaviors.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do you think the reintroduction of wolves changed this ecosystem?
DISCUSS: When wolves were reintroduced in 1995, they created a “trophic cascade” that actually changed the course of rivers!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The return of wolves created a fascinating chain reaction. They kept elk herds moving, which allowed willow and aspen trees to grow back along riverbanks. This provided homes for beavers, whose dams created new wetlands. The entire landscape transformed, showing how one species can impact an entire ecosystem. Scientists call this the “ecology of fear” – where predators influence prey behavior, which affects plant life and even geography!
ASK YOUR KIDS: If you were a wildlife biologist, what would you want to study in Lamar Valley and why?
DISCUSS: Scientists can identify individual wolves by their unique howls, just like we can recognize different people’s voices!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Wildlife biologists in Yellowstone use amazing technology like GPS collars, thermal cameras, and sound recognition software to study animal behavior. They’ve learned that wolf packs have distinct “cultures” and hunting strategies, bison communicate through body language, and grizzly bears can remember food locations for years. The valley serves as a natural laboratory where scientists continue to make groundbreaking discoveries about animal behavior and ecosystem relationships.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Create a food web diagram using the animals you observe.
HINT: Start with the plants and work your way up to the top predators.
OBJECTIVE: Track and record different animal behaviors you observe.
HINT: Look for feeding, playing, resting, or territorial behaviors.
Other Nearby Points of Interest
Other great things to do near Yellowstone National Park
BEFORE YOU LEAVE – Make sure to check out more of what this area has to offer! Here are a few nearby spots that we think you’ll love just as much as the Yellowstone National Park:
Grand Teton National Park: Just south of Yellowstone, experience dramatic mountain peaks, pristine lakes, and abundant wildlife in this stunning alpine landscape.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West: Located in Cody, Wyoming, this world-class museum complex brings the American West to life through interactive exhibits and authentic artifacts.
Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center: In West Yellowstone, Montana, observe and learn about rescued wildlife that can’t survive in the wild, offering a unique up-close experience with these magnificent animals.
Read before you go
To make your visit even more exciting, check out these age-appropriate books:
- Death in Yellowstone: Accidents and Foolhardiness in the First National Park by Lee H. Whittlesey (for older kids interested in park safety and history)
- Who Pooped in the Park? Yellowstone National Park by Gary D. Robson (a fun way to learn about wildlife through animal tracking)
- Yellowstone’s Hot Legends and Cool Myths by Rod Martinez (perfect for understanding park folklore and separating fact from fiction)
- Download the free NPS Yellowstone App for interactive maps and real-time geyser predictions
- Watch the Yellowstone National Park YouTube channel’s educational videos
- Visit the Yellowstone Live Webcams website to preview geyser activity and wildlife spots
Fun Facts
Interesting Things To Know About Yellowstone National Park
- Yellowstone National Park sits atop an active supervolcano that shapes its unique landscape and features.
- BOOM! The park experiences about 2,000 earthquakes annually, though most are too small to feel!
- HOLY COW! The park contains about half of the world’s geothermal features, including more than 10,000 thermal features and over 500 active geysers!
- MIND-BLOWING! The park’s bison herd is the oldest and largest public bison herd in North America, dating back to prehistoric times!
- INCREDIBLE! Yellowstone Lake is the largest high-elevation lake (above 7,000 feet) in North America and contains geothermal features underwater!
- WILD! The park’s ecosystem is one of the largest nearly intact temperate-zone ecosystems on Earth!
Must-Visit Spots
Where To Go At Yellowstone National Park
Old Faithful and Upper Geyser Basin Get Ready for the Old Faithful and Upper Geyser Basin : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Experience the world’s most famous geyser and the largest concentration of geothermal features on Earth, including spectacular geysers, hot springs, and fumaroles.
INTERESTING FACT! While Old Faithful erupts approximately every 90 minutes, there are actually predictable “windows” of eruption that rangers can calculate within a 10-minute margin of error using complex mathematical formulas based on the previous eruption’s duration.
COOL ACTIVITY! Use the Yellowstone National Park app to predict the next eruption time, then set up a time-lapse video on your phone to capture the entire eruption sequence. Compare your footage with historical eruptions to see if you can spot any differences in duration or height.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do you think scientists can predict when Old Faithful will erupt with such accuracy?
DISCUSS: The underground plumbing system of Old Faithful is so intricate that scientists have mapped it using seismic sensors, revealing chambers and tunnels that work like a natural pressure cooker.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The predictability of Old Faithful relies on a complex interplay of underground water, heat, and pressure. When groundwater seeps into underground cavities, it gets superheated by magma deep below. As pressure builds, the water temperature rises well above its normal boiling point. When the pressure reaches a critical point, it forces the water upward through the geyser’s plumbing system, creating the spectacular eruption we see. The entire cycle is so reliable because the underground chambers must refill completely before the next eruption can occur, creating a consistent timing pattern.
ASK YOUR KIDS: If Yellowstone’s supervolcano were to erupt today, how do you think it would affect global climate patterns?
DISCUSS: The last major eruption of Yellowstone’s supervolcano, occurring 640,000 years ago, ejected enough material to cover most of North America in ash and triggered a global cooling event.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The effects of a supervolcano eruption would be far-reaching and long-lasting. Volcanic ash would block sunlight, potentially leading to a “volcanic winter” that could last several years. This would disrupt global food production, affect weather patterns worldwide, and potentially alter ocean chemistry. Scientists estimate that such an eruption could lower global temperatures by up to 10 degrees Celsius for several years. However, modern monitoring systems at Yellowstone can detect signs of increased volcanic activity long before an eruption would occur.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Identify and photograph three different types of geothermal features (geyser, hot spring, fumarole, or mudpot).
HINT: Look for different colors in the hot springs – they indicate different temperatures and types of thermophilic bacteria.
OBJECTIVE: Time an Old Faithful eruption and compare it to the predicted duration.
HINT: The average eruption lasts between 1.5 to 5 minutes; use your phone’s stopwatch feature to measure from the first continuous burst to the last splash.
Grand Prismatic Spring Get Ready for the Grand Prismatic Spring : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Witness the largest hot spring in the United States and third-largest in the world, famous for its stunning rainbow-like colors.
INTERESTING FACT! The vibrant colors are actually created by different species of thermophilic (heat-loving) bacteria that thrive in specific temperature ranges.
COOL ACTIVITY! Create a temperature gradient map of the spring using the colors as your guide. The center blue indicates the hottest temperature (around 189°F), while the outer orange and brown rings show where it’s cooler.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do you think these microscopic organisms survive in water that would literally cook most living things?
DISCUSS: The bacteria in Grand Prismatic Spring have special proteins called “heat shock proteins” that prevent their cellular machinery from breaking down at extremely high temperatures.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: These extraordinary microorganisms, called extremophiles, have evolved unique adaptations that not only allow them to survive but thrive in conditions that would be lethal to most life forms. Scientists study these organisms to understand how life might exist on other planets with extreme conditions. The bacteria create different pigments to protect themselves from the intense sunlight and UV radiation at these high elevations. Some of these bacteria are being studied for potential medical applications and in industrial processes that require high-temperature-stable enzymes.
ASK YOUR KIDS: What connections can you draw between the colors we see here and the colors in a rainbow? Why do they appear in this specific pattern?
DISCUSS: The precise banding of colors in Grand Prismatic Spring is caused by the relationship between water temperature and the types of bacteria that can survive at each temperature range.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The color pattern we observe is a living temperature gradient map. The deep blue center is around 189°F (87°C) where few organisms can survive. As the water cools moving outward, different species of bacteria thrive, creating distinct color bands. The orange and brown colors on the edges are caused by bacteria that prefer cooler temperatures around 131°F (55°C). This pattern is so consistent that scientists can use thermal imaging to predict exactly where each type of bacteria will be found based on temperature alone.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: From the overlook, identify all the colors present and sketch the pattern they create.
HINT: Look for at least five distinct colors, starting from the center and moving outward.
OBJECTIVE: Find and photograph evidence of the spring’s impact on surrounding vegetation.
HINT: Notice the stark contrast between areas affected by the hot water runoff and the normal forest environment.
Lamar Valley Get Ready for the Lamar Valley : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Known as “America’s Serengeti,” this valley offers the best wildlife viewing in Yellowstone, particularly for wolves, bison, and grizzly bears.
INTERESTING FACT! The reintroduction of wolves in 1995-96 triggered a trophic cascade that transformed the entire ecosystem, even changing the course of rivers due to modified grazing patterns.
COOL ACTIVITY! Conduct a wildlife survey during different times of day. Create a log noting species, numbers, and behaviors observed during dawn, midday, and dusk periods.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do you think the reintroduction of wolves changed the entire ecosystem, right down to the physical geography of the valley?
DISCUSS: When wolves returned, they changed elk behavior so dramatically that riverbank vegetation recovered, stabilizing stream banks and creating new habitats for countless species.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: This phenomenon, called a trophic cascade, demonstrates the interconnectedness of ecosystems. Before wolves returned, elk would graze leisurely along riverbanks, preventing willows and aspens from growing tall. When wolves returned, elk began moving more frequently and avoiding risky areas near rivers. This allowed vegetation to recover, which attracted beavers that built dams, creating wetlands. The new wetlands attracted more birds and fish, while the stronger riverbanks reduced erosion. This chain reaction shows how one species can influence an entire ecosystem’s structure.
ASK YOUR KIDS: What adaptations do you think animals in this valley need to survive both the harsh winters and hot summers?
DISCUSS: Bison can survive temperatures as low as -40°F thanks to their thick wool undercoats, and they use their massive heads as snowplows to access grass buried under several feet of snow.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The animals of Lamar Valley have evolved remarkable strategies for year-round survival. Elk grow hollow winter fur that traps air for better insulation. Wolves have special blood vessels in their paws that help prevent freezing. During summer, many animals develop lighter coats and seek shade during peak heat. Some, like ground squirrels, avoid extreme temperatures altogether through hibernation. These adaptations showcase the incredible resilience of wildlife in extreme environments.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Document evidence of predator-prey relationships (tracks, scat, kill sites).
HINT: Look for gathering birds, which often indicate recent predator activity.
OBJECTIVE: Create a food web diagram based on the animals you observe.
HINT: Start with the plants and work your way up to top predators, noting all connections.
Mammoth Hot Springs Get Ready for the Mammoth Hot Springs : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Witness the park’s most dynamic thermal feature, where limestone terraces are constantly being reshaped by mineral-rich water.
INTERESTING FACT! The terraces grow up to 3 feet per year as hot water deposits calcium carbonate, creating new formations that can appear overnight.
COOL ACTIVITY! Compare current terrace formations with historical photos to identify changes over time. The visitor center has archives of historical images for comparison.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: How is this thermal feature fundamentally different from the other hot springs we’ve seen in the park?
DISCUSS: Unlike other thermal features in Yellowstone that interact with rhyolite rock, Mammoth Hot Springs dissolves and deposits limestone, creating the only travertine terraces in the park.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The unique chemistry here creates a living sculpture garden. As hot water rises through limestone, it dissolves calcium carbonate. When the mineral-rich water reaches the surface, carbon dioxide is released (similar to opening a soda bottle), causing the calcium carbonate to be deposited as travertine. This process creates delicate terraces, curtains, and columns that can form remarkably quickly. The colors come from different thermophilic bacteria, just like at Grand Prismatic, but the white travertine provides a different canvas for these living paintings.
ASK YOUR KIDS: If you could take a time-lapse video over 1,000 years, what do you think these terraces would look like?
DISCUSS: Some terraces that were once major features have gone completely dry, while new ones have formed elsewhere, showing how the entire system migrates over time.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The hot springs system is incredibly dynamic. Underground plumbing can shift, causing some areas to become dormant while new springs emerge elsewhere. This constant change means that every visit to Mammoth Hot Springs might reveal new formations. The terraces we see today might be completely different in a century, as water finds new paths through the limestone. This ongoing process has created over 50 hot springs in the area, each at different stages of development or dormancy.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Identify active vs. dormant terraces based on water flow and coloration.
HINT: Look for areas where water is actively flowing and compare them to dry, grey areas.
OBJECTIVE: Find and photograph examples of different terrace formations (curtains, columns, pools).
HINT: The boardwalk provides various viewpoints to observe different formation types.
Other Nearby Points of Interest
Other great things to do near Yellowstone National Park
BEFORE YOU LEAVE – Make sure to check out more of what this area has to offer! Here are a few nearby spots that we think you’ll love just as much as the Yellowstone National Park:
Grand Teton National Park: Just 10 miles south of Yellowstone, experience dramatic mountain landscapes, pristine lakes, and abundant wildlife in this stunning alpine environment.
Cody, Wyoming: Experience the authentic American West at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, featuring five museums dedicated to western history and culture.
Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center: Located in West Yellowstone, Montana, observe and learn about these magnificent predators in a natural setting.
Read before you go
To make your visit even more exciting, check out these age-appropriate books:
- “Death in Yellowstone: Accidents and Foolhardiness in the First National Park” by Lee H. Whittlesey – A fascinating look at the park’s history and importance of safety (appropriate for teens).
- “Windows into the Earth: The Geologic Story of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks” by Robert B. Smith and Lee J. Siegel – Excellent resource for understanding the park’s unique geology.
- “American Wolf: A True Story of Survival and Obsession in the West” by Nate Blakeslee – Engaging narrative about Yellowstone’s wolf reintroduction program and its impact.
- Yellowstone National Park App – Download the official app for real-time geyser predictions, trail maps, and wildlife viewing tips.
- “Yellowstone: A Journey Through America’s Wild Heart” by David Quammen – A comprehensive look at the park’s ecosystem and wildlife.
- iNaturalist App – Use this citizen science app to identify and document wildlife and plants during your visit.
LOCATION SUMMARY
Imagine stepping into a magical land where rainbow-colored hot springs bubble like nature’s own lava lamps, and geysers shoot water higher than a 15-story building! Yellowstone National Park is like Mother Nature’s greatest playground, where steam rises from the ground like dragon’s breath, and friendly bison roam freely across vast meadows. Did you know you’re actually walking on top of a giant sleeping volcano when you visit Yellowstone? That’s right – this incredible park sits on top of one of the world’s largest volcanic systems!
MORE INFORMATION
We’re heading there this spring! Can’t wait to share these fun facts with my kids. Thanks for the inspiration!