“Park” the kids, try these national scenic wonders. Washington state's national parks are accessible, with plenty to interest families. Here's a glimpse at four: Mount St. Helens in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Mount Rainier National Park, Olympic National Park, and North Cascades National Park.

Explore Ape Caves
Take older kids to the south side of Mount St. Helens and explore the Ape Caves, one of the longest continuous lava tubes in the U.S. The lower cave is a fairly easy one-hour round trip. Lantern rentals are available at Apes headquarters on the south side. For interpretive centers along the Spirit Lake Memorial Highway (SR 504), go to www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/msh_20.

Listening to Glaciers
Youngsters can see the most accessible network of glaciers in the country, 26 of them, at Mount Rainier National Park (about two hours drive southeast of Seattle). Drive to overlooks or walk view trails: Glacier Vista from the Paradise Visitor Center, and Emmons Vista from Sunrise Visitor Center. (www.nps.gov/mora)

Become a Junior Ranger
Mount Rainier National Park also offers a Junior Ranger program for kids aged 6-11. Rangers give “Juniors” a certification booklet loaded with questions and act as guides on hour-long scavenger hunts to help with answer discovery. (www.nps.gov/mora)

Adventuring in the Great Outdoors
Olympic National Park (www.nps.gov/olym) on the Pacific ocean couldn't project a bigger pulse of nature. Youngsters could spend a whole summer here searching for elk, mountain goats, and deer, riding the rivers through lush rain forests, or playing on wild coastal beaches. Try LaPush, or head to Rialto Beach north of LaPush, or try Ruby Beach and the Kalaloch vicinity. Families with the right skills, fitness, and equipment (rentable locally) can try surfing on the beaches around LaPush on the Olympic Peninsula. Trained teenagers scuba dive at Sekiu.

Giant Trees
There's fishing, hiking, and being dwarfed by giant trees in the Hoh Rain Forest, home to some of the largest living specimens of tree species on the planet, including the grand Douglas Firs. Shorter trails for smaller children take you right into the cathedral-like environment. Hikes in the rain are just as rewarding as seeing streaks of sun rays trying to pierce the dense undergrowth. (www.forkswa.com)

Hot, Wet, and Happy!
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort north of Forks is a family-oriented woodsy hideaway with soaking and swimming pools. From the resort, an easy walk through big conifers leads to gorgeous Sol Duc Falls. (360-327-3583 or www.northolympic.com/solduc)

Touch Antlers and Anemones
One sure-fire hit with kids are the friendly deer herds at Hurricane Ridge north of Port Angeles. Deer congregate, especially in the late afternoon near parking areas, and will eat out of your hand! Back in Port Angeles, stroll along the six-mile waterfront interpretive trail. Stop at the Fiero Marine Lab (360-417-6254) and let the kids touch anemones and starfish. Later sit around a campfire and sip free cocoa while learning more about Olympic National Park’s wildlife and history at the summer “Campfire Talks” narrated by park employees on Hollywood Beach. Call the Red Lion Hotel for more information, 360-452-9215.

Road Trip with Scenic Hikes, Camping
North Cascades National Park is a wilderness stronghold, it protects the most rugged alpine wild lands outside Alaska. The park’s spectacular scenery along North Cascades Highway (SR 20) is spotted with roadside towns all equipped with espresso. Stop in Newhalem at the Visitor Center for impressive exhibits on park eco-systems and chances to see mountain goats. Farther along is Washington Pass Overlook with picnic areas and nature trails. A hike along Thunder Creek Trail takes you past a fabulous whitewater stream, running full spate with bank-to-bank rapids in May. (www.nps.gov/noca)

CHECK THESE OUT:

• Rainier Park’s Kautz Mudflow Exhibit and footpath tell the story of a recent mudflow.
• Cascade Pass trail in North Cascades Park in July, where you can watch in safety as glaciers avalanche across the valley.
• Cape Alava in Olympic National Park to see off-shore seastacks, rocky needles, islets.
• Baker River Trail (North Cascades Park) for beaver dams, downed trees, and gnawed trunks.