Planning a 10-day trip for summer with kids 5, 8, and 12. Thinking we break it into 2 days driving each direction. Anyone done this route? Looking for good stopping points, kid-friendly campgrounds, and honest advice on whether Yellowstone is worth the hype with young kids or if we should just hit Grand Teton instead. Budget isn't unlimited but we're not super tight either.
The route is gorgeous but bring motion sickness meds. I have no idea why but that drive gets kids queasy more than you'd expect, especially if they're reading or playing screens.
That drive is beautiful but long. Recommend stopping in Jackson Hole on the way up - they have a good kids' museum and it breaks up the drive. Plus the scenery keeps them entertained.
For the drive itself: have the 12yo on aux duty with a approved playlist, pack snacks that aren't just garbage (string cheese, fruit, etc), and download shows/movies for the hotel nights.
Colter Bay Village has solid family campgrounds and good ranger programs if your kids are into that. Less crowded than the main park area too which helps with the 5yo.
Pro tip: do the driving days on travel days, break it into 6-7 hour chunks max. Your 5 year old will lose his mind after 9+ hours in a car and it'll make the first few Yellowstone days miserable. Split it better.
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Mammoth Hot Springs and the Grand Prismatic Spring are the ones that actually wow kids instead of being 'another geyser.' Your 5yo especially will be into the bright colors. Old Faithful is kinda boring in person honestly.