Just for Kids
Welcome to your “Great Lakes National Forest!” If you’re looking for exciting outdoor adventures any time of the year, then Hiawatha National Forest is your playground. Camping, hiking, fishing, swimming, trail riding, hunting, skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling are just a few of the many activities available at the forest. Explore the opportunities below to do hands-on activities, learn about national forests and grasslands, and how to take care of these special places.
Programs at Hiawatha National Forest
- Agents of Discovery – Become a secret agent with a historic lighthouse as your guide, Agent Beacon, to solve challenges on a mission. This free mobile game is move as you play to unlock hidden challenges based on your location. Mission sites include Murray Bay Day Use Area and Campground on Grand Island National Recreation Area and Peninsula Point Lighthouse near Rapid River. Before you come to the forest to start your mission, download the free app on App Store or Google Play. Once downloaded, it does not require any data or WiFi. Be sure to download in the Agents of Discovery app one or both of our mission sites – “Grand Island Ranger” or “Monarchs of Peninsula Point.”
- Kids Fishing Days – This is a longstanding free event introducing youth 16 years old and under to fishing typically in the month of June. Thanks to the generous support of many partners and volunteers, the event includes a variety of family-friendly activities throughout the day such as raffles, minnow races, face painting, and fly fishing demonstrations. For more information, contact 906-428-5800.
- Youth Archaeology Workshop – Most summers, the forest offers a one to two day hands-on archaeology experience for Alger and Marquette County youth between the ages of 11 and 17. Participants gain a new understanding of area history and the importance of protecting cultural resources as they participate in an actual survey on a national forest with an archaeologist. For more information, contact 906-428-5800
- Signature Partner Summer Camps – Sign up for one of our annual partner summer camps to get into the forest and surrounding public lands to recreate in them and learn all about them. The Hiawatha Interpretive Association hosts the More Kids in the Woods program and Michigan State University – Extension facilitates the Life of Lake Superior program. For more information, contact 906-387-2512
The Junior Forest and Junior Snow Ranger programs use Forest Service science and practices to encourage children ages 7 through 13 to enjoy and appreciate nature. Check out the booklets below for more information.
Junior Forest Ranger (English, PDF, 23.8MB)
Junior Forest Ranger (Español, PDF, 4.59MB)
Junior Snow Ranger (English, PDF, 13.4MB)
Explore areas to 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 is our caring, friendly, and wise friend that wants you to explore nature everywhere, whether that is in the city, in your local forest, or in your backyard. His motto “Lend a Hand – Care for the Land!” encourages all of us to make a positive difference in our world. To learn more about Woodsy Owl and find activities to do from home, click here.
The U.S. Forest Service and our partners have many great resources just for kids! Take a look…
- Check out our national kids page that has over 30 coloring pages and other fun stuff too.
- Discover the Forest is great website to explore and learn about your National Forests.
- Observe wildlife from the CritterCams and watch videos at NatureWatch and learn fun facts about them.
- Natural Inquirer has a number of activity booklets like “NSI: Nature Science Investigator” to download for free along with other activities to do from home such as guessing games, eye challenges, and word games.
- Celebrate wildflowers by learning about pollinators, invasive plant species, and more through hands-on activities, coloring pages, and word games.
- Watch adventure videos from FSNativeLIVE – Bringing Nature to You! that include topics such as freshwater, caves, grasslands, bats, and pollinators.
- National Agriculture in the Classroom has a student center to take virtual field trips, investigate agricultural jobs, or play online games.
Did you know that every 4th grader and their family can access most federal public lands for free? Through Every Kid Outdoors, 4th graders throughout the U.S. can receive a free pass to over 2,000 federal lands and waters to discover wildlife, resources, and history. The program creates connections to public lands and inspires future stewards of our national forests and other public lands.