Hot Tips for Taking Kids to the Grand Canyon

Some of the vacations that my family enjoyed the most were trips out west. Along the way, I learned a thing or two about taking kids to the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Unless you have stood on the South Rim it is impossible to grasp the expanse. This makes it prudent to do a little more advance planning for this trip than for others.

The Grand Canyon is divided into the North Rim and the South Rim. They are each very different to the other. The North Rim is higher in elevation and cooler. The South Rim is in the dessert and (in my opinion) has the best views of the canyon. For these reasons, this article concentrates on taking kids to the Grand Canyon, South Rim.

It's prudent to exercise more caution here than on other family trips. There are a few things that you should know about taking kids to the Grand Canyon before packing the car. Using these tips can help you have a better vacation.

Learn before leaving
There are plenty of sites on the internet where you can learn more about the Grand Canyon. Taking kids to the Grand Canyon is fun but you (and they) need to understand some of the challenges. The website of the National Park Service has a good section titled Things to Know Before You Come.

Lodging
Check online to make reservations several months in advance. We booked four month out and had to stay an hour away in Flagstaff.

Heat sickness
When it comes to taking kids to the Grand Canyon it pays to be vigilant about the dangers of heat sickness. Locals sip on sports drinks and water when walking in the heat. Your family should too. Children and the elderly are the most susceptible. Encourage the kids to drink throughout the trip.

Kids and the shuttle
Free air conditioned shuttles are the most convenient and best way to see the South Rim. Adults may be spellbound with the scenery but youngsters may need something to do on the shuttle. Plan to bring along a couple of age appropriate quiet games if you are taking kids to the Grand Canyon.

Stay away from the edge
This should go without saying but it's worth mentioning. Things that are far away can appear closer. The vastness can cause issues with depth perception. This can make it harder for kids to judge how close they are to danger. When you are taking kids to the Grand Canyon it's important to watch them at all times.

Food
The easiest thing to do is pack a picnic. My kids munched often at the Grand Canyon but never ate more than a few bites at a time. Salty snacks and small sandwiches were the order of the day. I put an insulated bag with sandwiches and a frozen bottle of water in my backpack.

Let the kids take photos.
Taking kids to the Grand Canyon means lots of photo ops. Even children as young as five or six may enjoy taking photos as much as being in them. An inexpensive digital camera or disposable variety adds fun and memories to the trip.