Ideas for a 6 yo in Yosemite

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Banquo

climber
Amerricka
Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 24, 2015 - 10:39am PT
I'll be in the valley Thursday and Friday with my grand niece from Indiana who has never been to California or the mountains before. Anybody have kid fun ideas? I find kids are usually bored with touristing and want to do or see something they don't expect.

Thanks in advance.
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
Mar 24, 2015 - 10:41am PT
Indian Caves?
climbski2

Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
Mar 24, 2015 - 10:52am PT
Climb trees and rocks.. get muddy, chase lizards, catch butterflys. Cathedral or Sentinel beach is a nice spot to do some of that.
looks easy from here

climber
Ben Lomond, CA
Mar 24, 2015 - 10:52am PT
Timely thread. I might be taking my 6 year old niece in a couple weeks, and was just considering options beyond a bit of Swan Slab TRing. If I hit on anything I'll share it, otherwise I'll just keep monitoring this thread for ideas.

Any short (<1 mile) class 2 scrambles with a good top out? Like a step down from Sierra Point?
kev

climber
A pile of dirt.
Mar 24, 2015 - 10:57am PT
I'm sure she'd be stoked to see a bear.
climbski2

Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
Mar 24, 2015 - 11:01am PT
Lot easier to come up with stuff like that for tuoulumne. Bit early still unfortunately.
Banquo

climber
Amerricka
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 24, 2015 - 11:01am PT
One idea is to walk her over to the base of the nose. It is pretty amazing how few people walk over there.
CCT

Trad climber
Mar 24, 2015 - 11:49am PT
Kids that age don't need anything formal. Climbing up a rock near the campsite is plenty good enough. The Mist Trail hike was a 5-star experience when I was a young'un, and we didn't even have to get to the top.

If it's open and considered safe now, that rockfall zone under the death slabs on the south side of Mirror Lake could make for some fun exploring.
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Mar 24, 2015 - 12:36pm PT
Don't forget to give her a tour of the Dirtbag Zoo.
Feeding time is best, of course.

"This is what happens to you when you lose yer way in life."
Clint Cummins

Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
Mar 24, 2015 - 12:52pm PT
Acorn grinding rocks at the corner of the Ahwahnee parking lot where the trail to Serenity/Royal Arches leaves the parking lot.

Slick low rocks at start of trail to Lower Yosemite Falls

El Cap Meadow/ sand bar
cragnshag

Social climber
san joser
Mar 24, 2015 - 01:05pm PT
Before you head out to the Valley, bring her by to climb on Emory's new climbing wall (thx Clint!). She can also zoom across the yard on the zipline or swing like a monkey on the gym rings.

You can borrow the trail-a-bike (third wheel that allows the kid to pedal also) and the Petzl kid harness. Lil' e loves biking around the Valley Floor. Bonus points if you can pedal the kid up the steep hill to the crapper at Mirror Lake.

Swan SLab has some good low angle stuff to TR. Nearby over at the Lower Falls walkway about 400' from the bathrooms there are 2 big boulders with low angle romps to the top. The kids climb up and then slide down on their bums.

There is a jr Ranger program (1.5 hours long or so) offered by the NPS, check local listings when you arrive.

Rhodo-Router

Gym climber
sawatch choss
Mar 24, 2015 - 01:13pm PT
Walk up Eagle Creek (it's an easy boulder field)

Sunnyside Bench and waterfall via east-side hike approach.

Clint Cummins

Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
Mar 24, 2015 - 01:31pm PT
Sunnyside Bench and waterfall via east-side hike approach.
Only if you tie the kid in.
There are some exposed sections where if you make a false step, you die if unroped.
the Fet

climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
Mar 24, 2015 - 02:07pm PT
Happy Isles is great for kids.

The quick hikes to Lower Yosemite and/or Bridaveil Falls are great.

The Indian village behind the post office, and visitor center with the model of the valley.

Probably too cold for floating down the Merced, but that's my favorite thing with kids. Buy some cheap rafts at Big 5 or rent if it's open.

Rent bikes as mentioned.

Get a drink from Fern Spring (explain how you can't drink safely out of a stream). Or soak your feet in the cold water after a hike.

Hike up four mile trail as far as you want. It's on the shady side of the valley.

Aid climb up Le Conte boulder then setup a rope swing on it for the kids.
c wilmot

climber
Mar 24, 2015 - 02:19pm PT
Arch rock has that cool split rock/island thing near it. It will likely be private, has a cool rock feature, and is kind of offbeat. Just watch out for the Oak
Paul Martzen

Trad climber
Fresno
Mar 24, 2015 - 02:53pm PT
Kids that age will keep themselves fabulously entertained with sticks and pine cones and little boulders and creeks. Figure out how to keep yourself entertained with those same things and you and she will have a great time.

At the beginning of the lower Yosemite Falls Trail, there are a bunch of low boulders that often attract lots of kids. You can spot her on mini boulders. A little further are boulders to crawl under. Bring several flashlights. Eventually you might make it all the way to the bridge to feel the wind and mist from the falls.

Find things to explore in your immediate vicinity, like walking on logs, rolling pine cones, poking yourself with pine needles, playing with rocks. You never know for sure what will grab her attention, but have fun with anything that does.

Lynne Leichtfuss

Trad climber
Will know soon
Mar 24, 2015 - 03:03pm PT
In the Valley proper the Indian Village and inside display is very cool and she can learn about the history of the Valley/Tuolumne Indians Ahwahnechee/Miwok. I loved learning about the Indian culture when I was her age.

Are you camping? It would be awesome for her to make pancakes with you on a cook stove. At age 6 she will have fun if you take time and patience to unfold the glory of the Valley to her. She will never forget it. Take pictures. Cheers, lynnie
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Mar 24, 2015 - 03:04pm PT
Nose in a day? She'll remember that....
looks easy from here

climber
Ben Lomond, CA
Mar 24, 2015 - 03:08pm PT
In a day? Nah, then she misses out on sleeping on a ledge in the sky. I say stick her in a pig and haul her up.
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Mar 24, 2015 - 03:09pm PT
Right, you're definitely right. Bivy is much better!
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