fun to do kids yosemite national park california   Travel for Kids
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Yosemite National Park

Sunset in Yosemite

Sierra Nevada mountains of California are called the "range of light." Nowhere is this special quality more glorious than in Yosemite. Here the sparkling Merced River meanders through wildflower meadows, waterfalls break over granite cliffs into rainbow showers, giant sequoias tower in the sky, and sheer rock walls catch fire in the last light of day. Wherever you go in Yosemite with kids, you'll be amazed by its natural beauty.

Tip: Read our blog post "Where to Stay in Yosemite"

    Yosemite Valley
   

Tuolumne Meadows

    Glacier Point
   

Mariposa Grove & Wawona

   

Tips for Yosemite with kids

family hotels yosemite
Travel for Kids has so many fun things to do with kids in Yosemite National Park, but you'll need a fun place to stay.

Here's our own Travel for Kids list of best family hotels for Yosemite, all styles and price ranges, in areas inside or convenient to the national park:

Yosemite family hotels
yosemite family vacation rentals

Family friendly vacation rentals in Yosemite, all styles and price ranges, inside the park.

Yosemite family house rentals
kids books yosemite california
     
yosemite national park  
Yosemite National Park
Audra Wallace

Explore Yosemite with Ranger Red Fox – giant rock formations like Half Dome, wild water falls, towering trees, amazing animals, mini-field guide, leaf tracker, map. Fun for younger kids. (Picture book)

 

     
The Camping Trip That Changed America
Barb Rosenstock, Mordicai Gerstein

Ride with President Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir through Yosemite, from the giant sequoia groves to Glacier Point, far above the valley below. Hiking on their own and sleeping outdoors, even when it snowed in May, it was simply glorious. Roosevelt went on to preserve America's wilderness. (Picture book)

 

 
childrens books yosemite The Camping Trip That Changed America
     
camp time in california  
Camp Time in California
(Magic Tree House)
Mary Pope Osborne, AG Ford

Annie and Jack are whirled back in time to Yosemite. They land in a sequoia grove (largest living trees on earth), meet up with Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir, and join them trip to explore the valley. The big trees are threatened, and after the trip Teddy, President of the United States, declares all of Yosemite under National Park protection. (Easy reader)

 

     
The Sequoia Lives On
Joanna Cooke, Fiona Hsieh

Before a visit to the Mariposa Grove, discover wonders of giant sequoias, from tiny seeds released by fire or forest animals, growing to become the largest trees on earth, and living for thousands of years. (Picture book)

 

 
the sequoia lives on
     
the adventures of john muir  
The Adventures of John Muir
Kate Coombs, Seth Lucas

John Muir walked to see
Big, big trees.
"Come see what I see!" John Muir said
And people did.


What did John Muir see when he explored the mountains of Yosemite? (Board book)


     
Two Bear Cubs
Robert D. San Souci, Daniel San Souci

Charming retelling of a Miwok legend, two playful bear cubs wander off into Yosemite Valley. While they are napping on a big flat rock, the rock grows taller and taller, and the cubs are lost from view. Fabulous illustrations. (Picture book)

 

 
Two Bear Cubs childrens books yosemite  California
     
so big so small  

How big is Yosemite Falls?
How small is a sequoia cone?
Delightful introduction to Yosemite landscape and wildlife for toddlers, beautifully illustrated! (Board books)

 

     

Not a kids book, we always bring this field guide with us on our trips to Yosemite. Sections organized by trees, wild flowers, fish, birds, mammals, insects, reptiles, animal tracks, making it easy to identify what you'll see in the national park. (Guidebook)

 

 
field guide to the sierra nevada
     
Day Hikes in Yosemite National Park guidebook  

This is our favorite guidebook for Yosemite day hikes. Detailed maps, driving directions to the trailhead, hiking distances, what to look for along the way, for 80 different hikes. (Guidebook)

 

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