All 37 Virginia State Parks will feature kid friendly programming in conjunction with National Kids to Parks Day on May 20.

Now in its seventh year, National Kids to Parks Day is sponsored by National Parks Trust and 19 national collaborators. Kids to Parks Day urges kids across the country to discover science, history, nature and adventure. This annual event helps kids and families develop more active, healthy lifestyles, and create lifelong memories as well as offering educational opportunities. But SHHHH! You'll have so much fun they'll never know it was good for them.

A complete list of programs by park can be found here. Programs celebrate a variety of outdoor recreation and the natural and cultural features of the park. Choose from a combination of ranger-led and self-guided programs for a day filled with fun for the whole family.

Visitors that day also receive a coupon for a free return visit to any Virginia State Park. Use this free visit to start your family's Get Outdoors! Challenge. Log visits to five different Virginia State Parks between May 20 and June 30 and earn a family annual pass for free parking statewide. Find out more information about the challenge and how to log your visits here. 

Enjoy your visit more by getting the whole family involved in planning your day. Start with a visit to a participating local library and check out a Nature Backpack. In addition to supplies and ideas to enhance your park visit, you will have a parking pass for free entrance to the Virginia State Park of your choice.