Badlands BADLibs

Have you ever played a game of Madlibs? Now you can try out a Badlands version! Pick out your favorite words, then fill them in to create your own wacky Badlands story. After that, share your BADLibs with us on social media -- and don't forget to have fun!

If you have never played Madlibs before, here's how: read through this page and in the lists below, pick out a word to fit each category. For example, you might pick the word "yellow" if the category is color, or you might pick "bighorn sheep" for the animal category. While you're doing this, try not to peek at the story below! Once you're done picking out your words, fill them into the blanks in the story. For the final step, read your filled-in story and have a laugh!

If you're interested in completing this activity, please head here.

Details

Activity

Junior Ranger Program

Pets Allowed

Yes

If you're completing this activity at home, pets are allowed.

Pets are permitted in Badlands National Park with some restrictions. Pets must be kept on a leash no more than six feet in length at all times. Pets are only permitted in developed areas, such as campgrounds and picnic areas, and other areas open to motor vehicles, such as gravel and paved roadways, roadway corridors, and parking lots. Pets are prohibited from hiking trails, public buildings (i.e. visitor centers), and backcountry areas, including the Badlands Wilderness Area, and areas with prairie dog colonies. Pet etiquette dictates always cleaning up animal waste and disposing of it in trash receptacles.

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Reservations

No

Accessibility Information

This activity is text-based and will be fully accessible to anyone who is able to read the activity or utilize a screen reader.

Adventure #1: Exploring Fossil Exhibit Trail

Choose Your Words

1. First Name: 
2. Verb: 
3. Noun: 
4. Verb: 
5. Color: 
6. Color: 
7. Exclamation: 
8. Emotion: 
9. Noun:  
10. Animal: 
11. Noun: 
12. First Name (same as #1): 
13. First Name (same as #1): 

Brontotheres, an extinct mammal, lived in the Badlands 38-34 million years ago. Park staff and visitors can find Brontothere fossils in the park today!

Fill in the Blanks

One day, Ranger _ (1) was out _ (2) the Fossil Exhibit Trail in _ (3) National Park. They _ (4) around the _ (5) formations and to their right they saw a _ (6) fossil. _ (7)! They shouted with _ (8). They are a paleontologist, which means they study _ (9). This was a new type of _ (10) that they named it _ (11)-a-saurus. Ranger _ (12) did the right thing and left it in its spot. Be like Ranger _ (13) when you find a fossil at Badlands. Let the rangers know where you found it and leave it in place for others to enjoy.

Adventure #2: Spotting Wildlife

Choose Your Words

1. First Name: 
2. Job Title: 
3. Verb: 
4. Mammal: 
5. Reptile: 
6. Bird: 
7. Type of Clothing: 
8. Type of Shoes: 
9. Snack: 
10. Noun: 
11. Noun: 
12. Verb: 

Part of being prepared in the Badlands is preparing to meet a Prairie Rattlesnake! If you see (or hear) one, back away slowly and maintain a distance of at least 100 feet.

Fill in the Blanks

Ranger _ (1) loves being a _ (2). Part of the job is to _ (3) the trails. They can see all kinds of wildlife, like _ (4), _ (5), and _ (6). They always make sure to be prepared for long hikes and wear _ (7), _ (8), and sunscreen. They usually bring water, _ (9), and sometimes a lunch. Their favorite food is _ (10). They always keep an eye out for rattlesnakes, which shake their _ (11) to warn people. Be safe and prepared while _ (12) at Badlands National Park.