Teaching tools

Group sitting in a circle on a rocky riverbank.

National parks: America’s largest classroom.

National parks provide a wealth of educational opportunities in science, math, writing, reading, history, social studies, and more. Western National Parks partners with the National Park Service (NPS) to provide materials and activities that K-12 teachers can use to enrich their students’ education.

Child in a purple hat reading "Junior Ranger" in a grassy field.

Junior ranger booklets

Online activity books focus on exploring fascinating topics using national parks as a resource. Youngsters can work toward Junior Ranger badges in spaceflight, caves, fishing, archaeology, astronomy, paleontology, and the underwater world.

View booklets

Cougar gazing intently in a forest setting.

WNP videos

Our library of online videos introduces students to partnering parks that WNP supports.

Watch videos

Four nature-themed books on a wooden table.

Books

Add children’s books to your classroom library. The 101 Questions and Frequently Asked Questions series engage budding scientists. Preschoolers will love the finger puppet books introducing a variety of animals.

Shop children’s books

Orange and black butterfly on a white flower in a grassy field.
Watch this video with your students and share some fun facts about bats, butterflies, hummingbirds, and saguaros.

The editors of the book–America’s Largest Classroom: What We Learn from Our National Parks–received the Stewart L. Udall Award from WNP. The book examines educational and interpretive programs in national parks and addresses powerful, experiential learning of STEM, social studies, history, and culture and emphasizes inclusivity and reaching more diverse groups of students and educators.