National Junior Ranger Booklets

Ranger holds three activity booklets: Night Explorer, Sound Explorer, Junior Angler — Park Ranger holds a few of the Junior Ranger program's national theme booklets.
NPS/K. Anton

What are National Theme Junior Ranger programs?

In addition to Junior Ranger programs specific to their site, many parks also offer National Theme Junior Ranger Programs. These activity booklets help kids connect to topics that are important to many places across the National Park Service.

Who can participate?

Kids, families, and the young at heart are invited to become Junior Rangers! People of all abilities are welcome. Many programs are targeted to ages 5 –14, but are available to all.

How do I participate in person?

If you’re looking to work on a National Theme Junior Ranger program on your next visit, check with the National Park Service site before visiting to confirm what types of Junior Ranger programs are available on-site.

How do I participate online?

Check out the National Theme Junior Ranger programs below to learn more about each program. Some programs have online activities, and some offer a downloadable booklet. Completion awards vary with each program and may include a printable certificate, badge, digital high five, or a physical patch or badge. Many programs only offer a physical reward in person at a participating location.

Become a Junior...

A male ranger points at a map while talking to a young boy and girl.

Plan Your Trip

Park Explorer

Use this booklet to plan an awesome adventure to a park.

A firefighter helps a young boy use a fire hose at a public demonstration.

Learn About Wildland Fire

Wildland Firefighter

Explore the natural cycle of fire, discover what wildland firefighters do, and learn how to protect your home from wildfire.

Historic blue, red, and black Jupiter train on the tracks.

Hop Aboard

Railroad Explorer

Before the transcontinental railroad, it took six months to cross the country. Find out how the railroad changed the United States.

Illustration of a mom, dad, son, and daughter setting up a tent in camp by a lake.

What Do You Hear?

Sounds Explorer

Listen carefully. Learn about the science of sound. Discover why it is important to parks.

Yellow legged telescopes dot a grassy field at dusk. People are in the background.

Junior Rangers In Space

Spaceflight Explorer

National parks and outer space have more in common than you might think! Check out how parks are teaming up with NASA.

Boy stands along the shore with a fishing pole in hand.

Let's Go Fishing

Angler

Explore fish and fishing through a Junior Ranger activity book dedicated to things that swim.

Girl in orange shirt looks up and shadows on the wall of a cave.

Explore the Mysteries of Caves

Cave Scientist

Explore a fascinating and fragile underground world. Learn about caves and karst landscapes. Complete a few fun activities.

A person sits on a large rock gazing at a multitude of stars

Explore the Park After Dark

Night Skies Explorer

Learn to find the North Star, discover the world of constellations, galaxies, and other night time phenomena.

Girl sifts dirt searching for pottery sherds.

Discover Archeology

Archeologist

Learn about what archeology is, and what archeologists do.

Two people in diving gear move around a reef.

Go Deep!

Underwater Explorer

From fresh water fish to salt water sea turtles there is so much more to discover below the water line.

Several kids are looking for fossils on flat bolders.

You'll Dig It

Paleontogist

Learn about ancient life. Complete fun activities. Explore some of the national parks that offer you a look into the prehistoric.

A young, smiling girl holds Junior Ranger booklet titled Discovering the Underground Railroad.

Travel the Network to Freedom

Underground Railroad Explorer

Learn more about efforts of enslaved Americans to gain their freedom through escape and flight.

The Eclipse Explorer Junior Ranger book on a night sky blue background

Learn about solar eclipses with this Eclipse Explorer Junior Ranger program from the National Park Service and The Planetary Society.

Two kids hold up Junior Ranger badges from Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

Find Junior Ranger programs at the next National Park Site you're visiting.

Last updated: February 7, 2025