By: Indiana Department of Natural Resources—
Indianapolis, IN—Share your love of the outdoors with a child this weekend during the annual Kids to Parks Day, May 19.
Kids to Parks Day (KTP Day) is a national day of outdoor play designed to connect kids and families with local, state, and national parks.
The day is a chance for children to learn about park stewardship, outdoor recreation, and natural and cultural history. It also helps helps foster appreciation for public lands in the next generation.
Special events are taking place at State Parks throughout Indiana.
KTP Day is sponsored by the National Park Trust and supported by America’s State Parks and the National Association of State Park Directors.
Gov. Eric Holcomb also supports the initiative, and signed an official proclamation (stateparks.IN.gov/3282.htm) declaring May 19 as Kids to Parks Day in Indiana.
There are many opportunities to engage children in KTP Day:
- Peruse DNR calendar for regularly planned events and for specific activities related to Kids to Parks Day. See calendar.dnr.IN.gov.
- Check out the Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights with 11 suggested outdoor activities every kid should do. Complete all 11 to become a Hoosier Outdoor Child. See childrenplayoutdoors.dnr.IN.gov
- May 19 is also a Free Fishing Day in Indiana. You can take a kid fishing. And, on this day, adults do not need to purchase a license either. Visit dnr.IN.gov/fishfree to find an event near you.
- Get started on Hoosier Quest to earn patches and pins at stateparks.IN.gov/2418.htm.
- Check out the State Parks kids webpage at dnr.IN.gov/kids/index.htmfor more ideas.
Share your photos on social media with the hashtag #KidstoParks. You can post them directly to the Indiana State Parks Facebook page at facebook.com/INdnrstateparksandreservoirs.
For more information, see parktrust.org.
