PedalerPaddler

We are planning to stay a Grant Villa for 2 nights and Old Faithful for 2 nights with 5 kids (youngest = 4). My friend is talking about going back to the lodge in the middle of the day for the small kids to rest since they would be exhausted. I think driving back and forth will loose us 2-3 hours depending on where we are plus nap time. Can we bring picnic blankets and let the kids taking naps at some rest areas in the park? Is this doable? What do you suggest in this situation?

sludick

Agree. It takes a long time to travel in the park, especially in the summer (when are you going?) I recall a number of campground and picnic sites that would be a good place for a nap.

Am thinking this could be an especially good idea if you pack a picnic lunch and then have nap time after eating.

If you go to the National Park Service webpage for Yellowstone, you can download maps with picnic areas. http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/index.htm

Dayle

pedalpaddler,

Since Grant Village and Old Faithful are not very far apart, I'm assuming you couldn't get lodging for all 4 nts at one place?

Anyway, yes. Naps enroute, it's way too far to go back and forth from your lodging to where ever you happen to be. There are many picnic areas for napping.

Are you flying out or driving? A small tent-type sun/wind shade might be just the thing.

PaulRabe

As Dayle noted, a small cabana-like tent would be useful. A quick perusal found this
http://www.shadeusa.com/bambino_beach_cabana_tent.htm
which is just an example of what I think would be useful. Just set it up near a table in the shade, and I think most people would understand your kids are trying to catch some zzz's.

StantonHyde

Will they nap in the car? We took lunches every day just because you never know where you will be when little ones MUST EAT NOW. There are some nice picnic pull off places near where you can get some quiet. Do you have fussy sleepers? Maybe bring a battery operated sound machine with you?

Digbydog

I don't think it is unreasonable to head back to the hotel in the afternoon to relax. We often left early in the morning to look for animals. (For instance, when you are in Grant Village head up to the Lamar Valley to look.). Then we might take a hike, see a few areas of interest, and go back to our hotel to read or nap. We might take another short hike, have an early dinner, and go back out in the evening to look for more animals. Frankly, I can't imagine my children laying down in a picnic area and napping at that age.

StantonHyde

I suppose it depends on how early you can get everybody up and out. I rarely got out of my house by 8 am with a 4 year old, never mind with other kids, and packing up everything you need for the day!! But maybe you can. I think it depends on each child's sleeping needs. Some kids will sleep through artillery and some kids wake up if a cat meows. Unfortunately, by 4 neither of mine napped (sigh....) but if yours does, goodness knows you do NOT want to mess with nap time!!!!!!!! (I don't know if there is anything worse than an over tired child--maybe over tired and over hungry. Even I am a grouch in that situation )