Share your love of the outdoors with a child this weekend during the annual Kids to Parks Day this Saturday, May 18. It’s a national day of outdoor play designed to connect kids and families with local, state, and national parks.

Gov. Eric Holcomb declared May 18 as Kids to Parks (KTP) Day in Indiana and signed an official proclamation, which acknowledges the important initiative to “encourage kids and empower families to get outdoors and visit America’s parks.”

The day is a chance for children to learn about park stewardship, outdoor recreation, and natural and cultural history. It also helps foster appreciation for public lands in the next generation.

Here are some opportunities to engage children in KTP Day:

• Find planned events and special activities related to KTP Day at on.IN.gov/stateparkevents.
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• 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
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• Get started on Hoosier Quest to earn patches and pins at on.IN.gov/hoosierquest.
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• Check out the State Parks kids webpage at dnr.IN.gov/kids for more ideas.
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• 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/kids-to-parks-day.

KTP Day is sponsored by the National Park Trust and supported by America’s State Parks and the National Association of State Park Directors.

KTP Day is sponsored by the National Park Trust and supported by America’s State Parks and the National Association of State Park Directors.

To view more DNR news releases, please see dnr.IN.gov.