Just for Kids
The future needs adults who have an understanding of the natural world and know how to make wise environmental decisions. In order to become those adults, the kids of today have to spend time outdoors playing and learning. Parents, teachers and youth leaders fill a vital role in providing enjoyable and educational outdoor opportunities for children and youth.
National forests are the ultimate "outdoor classroom," with natural processes and human activities interacting in all sorts of interesting ways.
The Forest Service wants to encourage more kids to go outdoors by having fun, being healthy and learning more about nature. This can instill awareness in young people, who may then value public lands, seek careers in natural resources and land management, and enthusiastically participate in outdoor activities.
Kid-friendly Locations on National Forests in California
Attention 4th Graders!
Hey fourth graders! See America’s natural wonders and historic sites for free.
Quick Links
- Nature Watch
- Animated video: Where Does Water Come From?
- Junior Forest Ranger Activity Book
- Career Opportunities
- Discover the Forest
- Forest Service Kids
- Junior Forest Ranger Program
Smokey for Kids—Only You Can Prevent Wildfires
Conservation Education Activity Sheets
- Trees are Amazing | Los árboles son increíbles - An observation-based activity about trees. The activity is available in Spanish and English.
- Making Observations | Hacer Observaciones – Learners use words and drawings to practice this important skill, just like scientists and those who care for our forests and grasslands. Available in English and Spanish.
- Native Plants – Have fun while learning about their importance. Includes an optional video, an activity trunk for check out, and a hands-on activity for making seed balls to spread native plants.
- Choose from: Air-dry clay version - ideal for smaller-scale classroom, backyard, or flower pot projects. Powdered pottery clay version - ideal for larger-scale community or environmental restoration projects.
- Here is the accompanying video that goes with it. How to Make Seed Balls on Vimeo
More websites for Kids
- Eat Smart Play Hard for kids is about encouraging and teaching kids and adults to eat healthy and be physically active everyday.
- Backyard Conservation shows you how conservation practices that are used on agricultural land across the country to conserve and improve natural resources can be adapted for use on the land around your home.
- 4-H (Head, Heart, Hands, and Health)-USA The 4-H program was developed so young people can enjoy university-based youth programs and projects for diverse interests. 4-H engages nearly seven million young people nationwide with exciting, hands-on learning adventures.
- Gardening information provided by the Penn State Pointers and Plants of the Coastal Sage Scrub and Chaparral by CSUSB.
- George Washington Carver Coloring Book Kids and teens can find a coloring book honoring Dr. George Washington Carver.
New Smokey Bear Song - 2015 Version
Do you remember the original Smokey song from the 1950's? Well now here's a new song and a new sing-along music video perfect for kids and the whole family. Don't forget - Only you can prevent wildfires!
Smokey Bear and Friends from Open Season Teach Campfire Safety
OPEN SEASON:SCARED SILLY stars Boog & Elliot received a hug from Smokey Bear this weekend for promoting campfire safety kicking off a nationwide program teaching youth from the Boys and Girls Club of America how to safely build, manage and put out a campfire.
Discover The Forest
Discover the Forest! The More You Know, The More You Can Do. Just about everything we do has an impact on nature and the environment & everything in nature impacts our lives. That’s why we all need to understand the world around us and know how to help preserve nature.
Attention 4th Graders!
Hey fourth graders! See America’s natural wonders and historic sites. Bike through a forest. Walk in a desert. See a whale burst through the ocean's surface. Do all this and more with your pass. And bring a car full of family and friends for free!
Connecting Kids With Nature
The Forest Service is committed to connecting kids with nature and the outdoors by providing students, parents and teachers with youth-oriented information and resources related to natural resources and the environment.
Smokey Bear
Click below to explore and learn all sorts of ways you can help prevent wildfires. You’ll find activities, games, and learn a lot about protecting the forest. Have fun!
Woodsy Owl
Hello! I’m Woodsy Owl. I hope you will join me to learn how to “Lend a Hand — Care for the Land!” Do you know what that means? It means that if we all work together, the Earth will have clean air and water and will be a healthy place to live for trees and plants, fish, animals and birds like me! Oh, and it also means it will be clean for you, too!
Prepare with Pedro
Pedro is a penguin who loves learning about how he can be prepared and take action during an emergency to help stay safe. He visits friends all over the United States and learns about hazards local to their area like earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, fires, and many others!
Junior Forest Ranger
The Junior Forest Ranger (JFR) program is an exciting way for young people to explore their national forests and grasslands. The JFR program uses Forest Service science and practices to encourage children 7 through 13 to enjoy and appreciate nature. JFR motivates children to explore the natural and cultural world, and embrace their responsibility to it.
Guardabosques Juvenil
El programa Junior Forest Ranger (JFR) es una forma emocionante para que los jóvenes exploren sus bosques y praderas nacionales. El programa JFR utiliza la ciencia y las prácticas del Servicio Forestal para alentar a los niños de 7 a 13 años a disfrutar y apreciar la naturaleza. JFR motiva a los niños a explorar el mundo natural y cultural, y aceptar su responsabilidad hacia él.
Snow Ranger
The Junior Snow Ranger program is designed for children in the 4th and 5th grade. Outdoor and indoor activities are included in a colorful publication that highlights themes such as safety, wildlife, winter ecology, recreation, and the joy of winter fun. The program mission is to inspire youth to embrace a life-long relationship with the winter environment, and to become stewards of the land.
Smokey Bear & Woodsy Owl Poster Contest
Can you draw? Enter Smokey and Woody’s poster contest!
Coloring Pages for Smokey's Friends
Color America's National Forests and Grasslands Color Challenges
FS Nature LIVE - Bring Nature To You
No matter where you are in the world, visit our LIVE programs for exciting, on-site learning about bats, butterflies, climate change, wetlands, and more! Check out the LESSON PLANS and EDUCATOR RESOURCES to learn more!
Natural Inquirer
Natural Inquirer contains articles on scientific research conducted by scientists at USDA on nature, such as trees, forests, wildlife, insects, outdoor activities, and water.
NatureWatch
NatureWatch is a partnership program of the U.S. Forest Service that provides nature viewing opportunities, encourages safe and sound viewing ethics and contributes to local economies.
National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC)
Follow Rascal and Penny as they learn about Safety and Ethics when using their OHVs. NOHVCC created Adventure Trail to communicate NOHVCC’s safe and responsible ethic to young kids, including the need to wear appropriate safety gear, stay on designated trails, be considerate of the environment and other messages. Adventure Trail consists of posters, coloring books, and a soon to be completed video game. You can download the pages individually from the galleries or you can request hard copies. NOHVCC is a nonprofit organization of OHV recreation enthusiasts who develop and provide programs to improve and promote responsible OHV practices.
National Geographic Kids
We invite you to join us in this extraordinary journey to unleash the Explorer in everyone.
BatsLIVE
BatsLIVE: A Distance Learning Adventure brings bat conservation to life through webcasts, webinars, and online education resources.
Why Would Anyone Cut a Tree Down?
Trees do terrific things for the land and air, water and wildlife, and for you.