By Alex Day, Marketing & Communications Director
Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate the people who nurture, protect, and inspire us. And while we’re busy making cards and buying bouquets, it’s also the perfect moment to celebrate another very important “mom” in our lives: Mother Earth.
From towering evergreens in Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks to the tiniest wildflowers peeking through the soil, our planet takes care of us every single day. She gives us fresh air, clean water, and endless places to explore.
Caring for the Earth doesn’t have to be complicated, and it definitely doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, some of the best lessons about protecting our planet happen outside, with muddy shoes and curious minds.
When kids learn to love nature, they grow up wanting to protect it. And that’s where all of us — parents, caregivers, and community members — play a role.
There are endless ways to celebrate mom and the Earth all at once. Here are a few fun options:
1. Play Mount Rainier Bingo (and Learn to Leave No Trace!)Download Mount Rainier Bingo and turn your park visit into a game! Produced by Environmental Studies students at the University of Washington (UW), this fun game encourages kiddos to spot wildlife, plants, and park features as you explore. While you play, practice Leave No Trace principles like staying on trails and packing out what you bring in. It’s a fun way to help kids learn how to protect the places they love.
2. Be a Trail Hero Bring a small bag and pick up litter on your walk. Turn it into a game — who can spot the most? (Speaking of Leave No Trace, disposing of waste properly is an important principle. What better way to see firsthand why it’s important that we all pack out our trash?)
3. Create a “Leave No Trace” Flower Crown Download this printable activity to design your own colorful flower crown — no picking required! Produced by our friends at UW, this activity encourages kids to color, cut, and build their crown while learning an important Leave No Trace lesson: leave what you find. While real wildflower crowns may be beautiful, fragile alpine blooms are best enjoyed right where they grow.
4. Read Together OutdoorsSnuggle up with a good book under a tree. For a park-inspired favorite, download the classic “Oh, Ranger!” guide to Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks. (Pro tip: Check out the “Just for Kids” section for ideas for your next park trip, from visiting the Discover Room to becoming a Junior Ranger!)
5. Discover Your Wildflower Personality Which rare Mount Rainier wildflower are you? Take this fun, kid-friendly quiz created by our friends at UW to find out! Then, check out the park’s Wildflower Guide to learn about all the different types of wildflowers you might spot on your next visit.
This Mother’s Day, let’s celebrate not just the moms in our lives, but the world that makes all life possible. Whether it’s a short walk, a story under the trees, or a giggle-filled cleanup mission, every small action helps shape a brighter future.
When we teach kids to love the Earth, they grow up to protect it. So go ahead — get outside, get a little messy, and show Mother Earth some love.
Washington’s National Park Fund is the official philanthropic partner of Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks. Your support helps protect these incredible places, fund vital conservation projects, and create meaningful experiences for future generations. Join the movement and give back at wnpf.org/donate.
Cover photos: Olympic National Park scenes, courtesy of Ken & Mary Campbell.