Youth & Family
Every park offers different opportunities for families. Your adventure may begin with the Junior Ranger Program or perhaps with Litter Getters! Using your phone, you can become “Agents of Discovery” or explore trails with “OuterSpatial.” You can join a Summer Learning Program through a local partner organization such as Boys and Girls Clubs. Visit your local park’s website, follow their social media page, or call directly to learn more before your visit.
California State Park Adventure Pass
The California State Park Adventure Pass provides free entry for fourth graders and their families at 54 amazing state parks throughout the state.
California State Library Parks Pass
Borrow the California State Library Parks Pass from your local library to get free vehicle day-use entry to over 200 parks.
Junior Ranger Program
Earn your Junior Ranger badge at one of the 100+ California State Parks offering staff-led or self-guided programs. Becoming a Junior Ranger is fun and costs no additional fee.
Junior Lifeguard Program
The Junior Lifeguard Program emphasizes Teamwork, Leadership, and Aquatic Safety while introducing young people to safe marine and aquatic recreation opportunities.
Agents of Discovery
Agents of Discovery is a place-based educational augmented reality app easily played by families, individuals, or K-12 students from a mobile device.
Explore Youth & Family Resources
“Eureka Experience” at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
Learn about interpretive programs offered at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
“Path of the Padres” Hike at San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area
California State Parks staff at the San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area lead the popular “Path of the Padres” hikes for the public on Saturdays...
Activities For Kids – Monterey State Historic Park
At home learning experiences for kids (Covid)
Activities for Youth at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Do you like history? Have you always wanted to learn all about the past and the people who came before you? Well now, Old Town...
Agents of Discovery
Agents of Discovery is a place-based educational augmented reality app easily played by families, individuals, or K-12 students from a mobile device.
AquaSMART Activity Booklet
The AquaSmart Activity Lessons for Water and Boating Safety resource contains a variety of activities that teach children important lessons about water and boating.
Aquatic Centers Offering On-the-Water Courses
Aquatic Centers operated by universities, colleges, local public agencies, and nonprofit organizations, provide classroom and on-the-water boating safety education in kayaking, canoeing, water skiing, powerboating,...
Asilomar State Beach Online Activities for Kids
Play an augmented reality game and download a coloring book
Boating and Safety Outreach
Vital information for all boaters.
Bodie Foundation Public and Private Tours
Free history talks, stamp mill tours, or private tours by the Bodie Foundation.
Bolsa Chica State Beach – Beach Clean Up
Learn how to get involved in beach cleanups
Book Virtual Field Trips for Seacliff State Beach
Book an appointment at Seacliff State Beach
California Coastal Redwood Parks
View a map of California’s Redwood Parks
California State Capitol Museum School Packet
Download an informational school packet for the State Capitol Museum
California State Library Parks Pass
In partnership with the First Partner’s Office and the California State Library, State Parks is providing free vehicle day-use entry to over 200 participating state...
California State Parks – YouTube Channel
Watch the latest videos on California State Parks’ YouTube channel!
California State Parks Junior Lifeguard Program
The Purpose of the State Park Junior Lifeguard Program is accomplished by activities such as instruction and practice in open water swimming, paddle-boarding, body surfing,...
California State Parks Volunteer Portal
Our 280 State Parks are divided into 21 districts. With hundreds of opportunities statewide, we hope you find an opportunity that will be a good...
Capital District School and Group Tour Reservations
Learn about and make a reservation for a school or group tour at the Sate Capitol
Capital District State Museums and Historic Parks in Sacramento
Learn about Capital District State Museums and Historic Parks
Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area Events
Learn about events at the Carnegie SVRA
Castro Adobe Open House
Schedule an appointment at Rancho San Andrés Castro Adobe Pk Prop
Catch a Special Thrill (CAST)
Several lakes in the California State Park System host an annual one-day fishing event for disadvantaged children with a range of special needs.
Children of the Pioneers – Musical Education
Are you interested in using the power of music and song to learn and teach about the California Emigrant experience of the mid-1800’s? This book,...
Children of the Pioneers – YouTube
Watch “Children of the Pioneers” YouTube videos
Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights
The California Roundtable on Recreation, Parks and Tourism adopted the California Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights for the purpose of recommending a fundamental list of...
Climate Kids CONNECTS
Climate Kids Connects is our online education portal consisting of digital resources and activities about important climate topics that support youth, educators, and the community...
Coloring Packs – QuiverVision 3D Augmented Reality coloring apps
View and download educational coloring pages from California State Parks
Colors of Conservation Coloring Book
Check out the new Climate Kids Coloring Book – Colors of Conservation – to learn more about local plant and animal species, and what we...
Columbia State Historic Park – YouTube Channel
View YouTube videos about Columbia State Historic Park
Education & Tour Information for Bolsa Chica State Beach
Learn about educational opportunities and tours at Bolsa Chica SB
Education Programs at Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area
Learn about educational programs offered at Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area
Education Programs at Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park
The award-winning education program at Point Cabrillo has been refined over the past 20 years. Each spring our dynamic and experienced instructors bring local school...
Educational Opportunities at the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve
The Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve has exciting, hands-on education programs for students as well as tours, informative lectures and other outreach opportunities for...
Educational Programs at Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park
Learn about educational programs offered at Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park
Elephant Seal Guided Walks at Año Nuevo State Park
The park offers guided walks lead by volunteer docent naturalist to see the northern elephant seals in their natural habitat inside the Año Nuevo Coast...
Exploring Mitchell’s Caverns
The Mitchell Caverns are formed from limestone that was once plant and animal materials that formed when this area was the bottom of a shallow...
Exploring Nature in Your Neighborhood: Activities For Kids & Families
Here are some activities that you can download for use with family and friends to get you started on some Neighborhood Nature adventuring.
FamCamp®
Learn about the FamCamp program offered at State Parks
Field Trip Information for Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Learn about school recources offered at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Field Trips & Teachers’ Resources – California State Railroad Museum
View information about field trips and teachers resources for the California State Railroad Museum
Free Hikes and Programs at Auburn State Recreation Area
Learn about hikes and programs offerred at the Auburn SRA
Fremont Peak Observatory – Public Programs
The Observatory is open to the public for scheduled viewing and educational programs. When the summer advection fog rolls in from Monterey Bay and covers...
Guided Hike: Indian Beach Nature Trail Loop – Tomales Bay State Park – July 5, 10 a.m.
Join us this summer for Guided Hikes at Tomales Bay State Park! Learn about the varied biomes of Tomales Bay State Park that are teeming...
Guided Tours at Asilomar State Beach
Schedule a tour at Asilomar State Beach
House Tour Information at Monterey State Historic Park
Learn about tours of Stevenson House at Monterey State Historic Park
If You Give a Girl A Bike StoryWalk – Candlestick Point State Recreation Area – July 12, at noon
If You Give a Girl a Bike, by author Hayley Diep, is coming to Candlestick Point State Recreation Area! A StoryWalk places an illustrated children’s...
Interpretive Programs and Events at Donner Memorial State Park
Learn about interpretive programs at Donner Memorial State Park
Junior Ranger & Interpretive Programs at South Carlsbad State Beach
Learn about junior ranger and interpretive programs
Junior Ranger Activity Book – Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
Download a junior ranger activity book connected with Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park