PC: InstagramFamily holidays often revolve around beaches, city breaks or visits to relatives. For one family from Illinois, weekends and annual leave have taken on a rather different shape. Instead of planning around resorts or theme parks, they have spent the past year driving through mountain passes, walking nature trails, and crossing state lines with their young daughter in search of the country's protected landscapes.As reported by People, their daughter, Aarya, is only 16 months old, yet she has already been to 34 of the United States' 63 national parks. If everything goes according to plan over the next couple of years, she could become the youngest person ever to complete visits to every park recognised by the National Park Service. What began as ordinary family travel has gradually turned into an attempt at a Guinness World Records title.How Aarya's family journey became a record attempt Aarya's parents, Akshay Sharma and Aparajita Rai, enjoyed travelling and wanted their daughter to experience natural places from an early age.The idea changed after they had already visited around 15 national parks together. During one of those trips, a park ranger mentioned that no child appeared to have completed such a journey at such a young age. The conversation prompted the couple to consider documenting the challenge more formally rather than treating it as a collection of family holidays.Since then, they have continued adding parks to their growing list while sharing photographs and travel updates through their Instagram account.Aarya's early connection with the natural worldAlthough Aarya is too young to remember every destination, her parents believe repeated exposure to the outdoors will shape the way she relates to nature as she grows older."We want her to understand different landscapes and just be cognizant of the fact that these are treasures that you need to save for future generations," says Aparajita. "She's really too young to understand all that stuff, but if we take her more out in nature, she will develop love and care for nature."They describe her as a curious child who enjoys watching simple details that many adults overlook. Flowing water, moving leaves and changing weather often capture her attention for long periods. During one visit to Yosemite National Park, they recalled seeing her quietly absorbed while sitting opposite one of the park's waterfalls, appearing content simply to watch and listen.For her parents, those moments matter more than ticking destinations off a map. They hope that regular time spent outdoors will eventually develop into a lasting appreciation for protected landscapes and wildlife.What's next for Aarya's national park challenge With 34 parks already completed, the family has travelled through deserts, mountain ranges, forests, and canyons spread across much of the country.Their target is to finish the remaining parks within the next two years. Some of the destinations involve straightforward road trips, while others require considerably more planning because of their remote locations. Alaska is among the next major stages of the journey, with several national parks there expected to move Aarya closer to the overall goal.How Aarya's parents make every trip workAnyone imagining perfectly organised itineraries would probably be surprised. The couple says flexibility has become one of the most important parts of every trip.Plans often change depending on their daughter's mood, weather conditions, or how much she is enjoying the experience. If she becomes tired or unsettled, they adjust the day's activities rather than trying to force a schedule.The family's travel calendar also has to fit around full-time careers. Both parents work in software, meaning many journeys are arranged around public holidays and long weekends. Rather than booking months in advance, they frequently wait until closer to departure before deciding where to go, balancing costs with weather forecasts and available time away from work.Aarya's adventure is encouraging families to explore the outdoorsAlthough attention has increasingly focused on the possible record, Aarya's parents say that has never been their main reason for travelling.Instead, they hope other parents will see that outdoor trips remain possible even with very young children. They believe families sometimes assume adventures must be postponed until children are older, when in reality shorter walks, scenic viewpoints and carefully planned visits can still become enjoyable shared experiences.Their travels are intended to show that spending time together outdoors does not have to disappear after becoming parents, even if it requires extra preparation and a willingness to adapt.The final step in Aarya's Guinness World Records bid Completing visits to all 63 national parks would only be one part of the process. The family has already begun working with Guinness World Records to ensure every requirement is met.Official recognition depends on evidence that satisfies the organisation's verification standards. Guinness requires record attempts to be measurable, independently verifiable and clearly distinguishable from existing achievements before a title can be awarded.For now, Aarya's journey continues one national park at a time. Whether or not the official record is eventually confirmed, she has already experienced more of America's protected landscapes before her second birthday than many people see in a lifetime.