Elementary Explorers

Elementary Explorers Educational resources and activities for families to do with kids in all 50 states and beyond! Family friendly field trips in all 50 states! Hi!

We are the Stranathan family - on a mission to see all 50 states as we travel in our RV around the country! Join us as we share travel tips, family destinations, and fun outdoor adventures - then add them to your travel bucket list. �

08/10/2026

KENTUCKY- You’ve got a coin to find!!!
😃🙌🏻🔎🤩👌✨🦘🐪🐴🫏

After 8 years of traveling full-time in our RV, we’ve learned that some places are worth coming back to—and the Ark was just as fascinating the second time around. Ark Encounter

We explored the massive 510-foot Ark, learned about Noah and his family, checked out some pretty unexpected animal designs, and talked with “Noah” himself!

Then we headed outside to the Ararat Ridge Zoo for kangaroos, camels, tortoises, reptiles, and more.
It was the perfect mix of history, faith, learning, and adventure. ❤️

Visiting the Ark?? We’ve got one more adventure to add to your list - solve the clues and find the coin we’ve hid!!

✨ You’ve seen Noah’s mighty ship,
Now cross the way to continue your trip.
Look for a place where travelers rest
Just across from the Ark—it’s your next quest!
Among the spaces where visitors stay,
Your Explorer Coin is hiding away. ✨

The FIRST family to find the coin will win $20 (via Venmo $$) to purchase anything they’d like from the Ark Encounter gift shop!

WHAT TO DO ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
🔎 Solve the clues given here to find the coin.
🧭 Remember: the Explorer Coin stays hidden at the location. Please do NOT remove it.
📍 Scan the QR code on the coin to follow us on IG, Facebook and YouTube!
📸 TAG Elementary Explorers on a public video post of your family clearly showing the EXACT location of the coin to claim your find!
🏆 The first family to complete the quest wins a prize, and EVERYONE who finds it is entered to win a grand prize end of summer giveaway!

Please - -
🌲 Stay on public trails and respect nature.
☀️ Daylight exploring only.
👨‍👩‍👧 Children must be with an adult.
🚫 No digging, climbing unsafe areas, or entering restricted spaces.
💡 Know that all coins will be in FREE access public spaces
💛 Most importantly: Have fun exploring together!

✈️ One incredible week. Countless airplanes. And that last photo compared to the first made me 🥹🥹!The guys spent the wee...
08/07/2026

✈️ One incredible week. Countless airplanes. And that last photo compared to the first made me 🥹🥹!

The guys spent the week at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin this summer, soaking in everything from jaw-dropping aerobatics and historic warbirds to cutting-edge aircraft and unforgettable moments with fellow aviation enthusiasts.

And if you happen to be in WISCONSIN now, you’ve got an Explorer Coin to find!!!! 😃

✨ When the crowds have all flown home,
A place for young aviators still remains.
Look where imaginations soar every day,
And you’ll be on the right runway. ✨

The FIRST family to find this Explorer Coin WINS:

🎟️ ✈️ Two daily passes to next year’s EAA Airventure Airshow!!

WHAT TO DO ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
🔎 Solve the clues given here to find the coin.
🧭 Remember: the Explorer Coin stays hidden at the location. Please do NOT remove it.
📍 Scan the QR code on the coin to follow us on IG, Facebook and YouTube!
📸 TAG Elementary Explorers on a public video post of your family clearly showing the EXACT location of the coin to claim your find!
🏆 The first family to complete the quest wins a prize, and EVERYONE who finds it is entered to win a grand prize end of summer giveaway!

Please - -
🌲 Stay on public trails and respect nature.
☀️ Daylight exploring only.
👨‍👩‍👧 Children must be with an adult.
🚫 No digging, climbing unsafe areas, or entering restricted spaces.
💡 Know that all coins will be in FREE access public spaces
💛 Most importantly: Have fun exploring together!

Have we mentioned one of the best parts about has been friends on the road? This week we spent time with some of our t...
08/04/2026

Have we mentioned one of the best parts about has been friends on the road? This week we spent time with some of our travel friends and made new road-tripping friends too! The most surprising thing about this lifestyle has been some of friends that we've connected with along the way - friends we will have for LIFE!
Tips for making friends on the road:
✅ Be friendly! If you spend all your time in your rig, it's hard to make friends.
✅ Use social media - instagram especially is where you can connect with travel families and then meet up on the road!
✅ If at first you don't succeed, try again. You won't click with everyone, and that's ok. But keep trying until you find "your" people!

We are so GRATEFUL for this lifestyle and our community on the road!

Every single time we pull our RV out on a new adventure I’m grateful for this lifestyle all over again. 🥹 There’s just s...
08/04/2026

Every single time we pull our RV out on a new adventure I’m grateful for this lifestyle all over again. 🥹

There’s just something so special about waking up somewhere new, exploring together, and watching your kids experience the world and the beauty within it. 🌎

Somehow, miles on the road have a way of slowing time down. Our teens are growing up fast, but these shared experiences have given us more conversations, more laughter, and more moments together than we ever could have imagined.

This stop brought us to free BLM camping just outside the Bonneville Salt Flats, where we watched the sunset, climbed on the RV roof (yes, even Oliver joined us 😂🐶), and were reminded that some of the best family adventures don’t cost much at all.

🧂 ✨ A few tips if you visit:

• Camping on the nearby BLM land is free.
• The area is great for boondocking, even with larger RVs.
• There are no hookups, water, or dump stations, so arrive prepared.
• If it’s rained recently, be cautious driving and parking off the road.
• Visit the Salt Flats at sunrise or sunset for the most incredible views, and don’t miss the stars after dark.

You don’t need the biggest RV or a cross-country itinerary to create memories like these. Just a willingness to try something new, take the scenic route, and say “yes” to a little adventure.

—————————————————

👋 New here? Hi! We are the Stranathan family.

Eight years ago we set off on a one year RV trip with a mission to see all 50 states and as many National Parks as possible. We fell in love with fulltime travel and the incredible people we met on the road, so that one year trip turned into five years of adventure in the United States. Today, we are balancing RV life with international travel and have land in Colorado we use as a home base. Follow along for homeschooling tips, travel with teens, RV life, and family style education inspiration. Elementary Explorers

07/22/2026

🏔️ OREGON, Your Explorer Coin can be found NOW!! 😀🥾🚐🙌🏻🌲💥🔎💡💦 ⛺️

✨ Before you explore the deepest lake, stop where souvenirs, treats, and smiles await. Nearby you’ll find a row of lights, one with treasure hidden just out of sight.✨

This is one of many coins that we are hiding across the USA and Canada this summer just for fun to encourage you and your family to get out and explore! Think of it as part mystery, part geocaching, and part scavenger hunt - all 100% FREE!

The FIRST family to find this Explorer Coin WINS:

💦 The Crater Lake collection from US History & Geography Mail Club featuring a fully illustrated adventure letter packed with information about the park and a beautiful park postcard!
📖 Your very own Passport to Your National Parks stamp collecting book
🌄 A Crater Lake landscape photo

WHAT TO DO ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
🔎 Solve the clues given here to find the coin.
🧭 Remember: the Explorer Coin stays hidden at the location. Please do NOT remove it.
📍 Scan the QR code on the coin to follow Elementary Explorers and US History & Geography Mail Club on IG and Facebook
📸 TAG Elementary Explorers on a public video post of your family clearly showing the EXACT location of the coin to claim your find!
🏆 The first family to complete the quest wins a prize, and EVERYONE who finds it is entered to win a grand prize end of summer giveaway!

Please - -
🌲 Stay on public trails and respect nature.
☀️ Daylight exploring only.
👨‍👩‍👧 Children must be with an adult.
🚫 No digging, climbing unsafe areas, or entering restricted spaces.
💡 Know that all coins will be in FREE access public spaces
💛 Most importantly: Have fun exploring together!
travelwithkids

💦 National Park #61/63 - Crater Lake!! 💦 It’s been a while since we last added a family park photo to our collection. 😍...
07/21/2026

💦 National Park #61/63 - Crater Lake!! 💦

It’s been a while since we last added a family park photo to our collection. 😍 Swipe to read all about our visit!

Crater Lake is the DEEPEST lake in the USA 🤯 and one of the most pristine on Earth. Formed years ago by a collapsed volcano, its striking blue waters are fed entirely by rain and snow with no rivers flowing in or out.

Somehow, it’s also the last national park that our family needed to visit in the lower 48! We’ve had plans to be here three times, and each time had to detour for different reasons. It felt SO good to finally get here to explore!!

Dogs are allowed in the park along the Rim Road, which encircles the lake. They are also welcome at all overlooks, parking areas and on some trails! Oliver was a big fan of the chipmunks. 😉

🥾 The lake itself covers only about 21 square miles, meaning over 90% of the park is land waiting to be explored. Crater Lake National Park has about 90 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to challenging summit hikes. 🥾

If you’re visiting Crater Lake National Park and only have time for a couple of hikes, these are our top picks! 🥾💙

🌲 Discovery Point Trail is an easy, family-friendly walk with breathtaking views of Crater Lake almost the entire way. It’s the perfect trail if you want incredible scenery without a big climb.

🌄 Watchman Peak Trail is a short but steady uphill hike that rewards you with one of the best panoramic views in the park. At the top, you’ll find a historic fire lookout and unforgettable views of Wizard Island, the deep blue lake, and the surrounding Cascade Mountains.

PS - hiking is always more fun with friends. We loved having you join us Izzy Lubben !!

If you’re planning a visit, here are our top tips!

🧥 Bring layers. At over 7,000 feet in elevation, temperatures can be much cooler than nearby towns—even in the middle of summer.

💧 Pack plenty of water and take it slow if you’re not used to the altitude. The thinner air can make hikes feel more challenging.

📸 Plan extra time for scenic pullouts along Rim Drive. Some of the park’s most incredible views are just a short walk from the parking areas.

🚧 Before your v

07/16/2026

😮 WE MADE IT!!! 8 years after we began our full-time RV journey we’ve finally made it to the last of the National Parks in the lower 48. 😊

And wow!! Pictures don’t even come close to capturing this incredible blue water! Formed after the collapse of Mount Mazama, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States at 1,943 feet and one of the clearest lakes in the world.

✨ A few tips if you’re planning a visit:

• Arrive early for the best views and fewer crowds.
• Even in summer, bring layers—the rim sits around 7,000+ feet, and temperatures can change quickly.
• Drive the scenic Rim Drive if it’s open for unforgettable overlooks.
• Pack water and sunscreen since the elevation and sunshine can be surprisingly intense.
• Check road conditions before you go—snow can keep parts of the park closed well into summer!

FYI - all boat rides and the trail leading to the water will remain closed until summer 2029.

Every national park has its own story, and we cannot wait to spend the day exploring here!!

Who’s been to Crater Lake? What was your favorite viewpoint? 💙

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