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Free Kids Week Programming in NYC Parks

Urban Park Rangers teach kids how to safely explore the natural world. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks
Urban Park Rangers teach kids how to safely explore the natural world. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks
1/1/25 - By Drew Kristofik

If you need to stave off cabin fever during Christmas break, the New York City Parks Department has just the thing to get you out of the house. The Urban Park Rangers are hosting a slew of FREE “Kids Week” programs. Immerse your kids in the natural world. 

Find more things to do over the school holiday on our Family Activity Calendar!

 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Kids Week Programming in Manhattan Parks

Kids Week: Meet the Critters in Inwood Hill Park

Inwood
Monday, December 29
From stick bugs to snakes, meet the animals that call the center their home. READ MORE

Kids Week: Winter Birding for Kids in Central Park

Central Park
Tuesday, December 30
Learn all about different ways to identify birds in the New York City parks. READ MORE

Wigwam Gathering and Campfire in Inwood Hill Park

Inwood
Wednesday, December 31
Explore and enter the recently restored Lenape wigwam and enjoy an afternoon by a warm campfire. Learn how to use a bow drill and other methods to start a fire. READ MORE

Kids Week: Winter Nature Crafts in Inwood Hill Park

Inwood
Friday, January 2
Create crafts from items found in nature, with a little help from the Urban Park Rangers. READ MORE
It's Kids Week with the Urban Park Rangers! Find fun, park ranger-led nature programs in a park near you. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks
It's Kids Week with the Urban Park Rangers! Find fun, park ranger-led nature programs in a park near you. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks

Kids Week at New York City Parks in Brooklyn

Kids Week: Natural Dyes in Sunset Park

Sunset Park
Monday, December 29
Kids learn about all about using plant materials to make fabulous dyes! Bring a white cotton clothing item or get a handkerchief to tie-dye. READ MORE

Kids Week: Sensory Perception Hike for Kids in Canarsie Park

Canarsie
Tuesday, December 30
The Urban Park Rangers lead kids on a walk through Canarsie Park using the senses of touch, smell, sight and hearing to explore the natural world.   READ MORE

Kids Week: Winter Scavenger Hunt in Irving Square Park

Bushwick
Wednesday, December 31
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a scavenger hunt! Search high and low for the natural wonders hiding just under your nose.   READ MORE

Kids Week: Survival Skills in Fort Greene Park

Fort Greene
Friday, January 2
Urban Park Rangers are skilled in the techniques and development of diverse outdoor skills. Learn basic outdoor skills, such as shelter building, fire making, and survival skills. READ MORE

Kids Week at New York City Parks in Queens

Move with Nature Stretching Party in Kissena Park

East Flushing
Monday, December 29
Warm up with the Urban Park Rangers during a fun movement session inspired by urban wildlife and the natural world. READ MORE

Kids Week: Ranger Games in Elmhurst Park

Elmhurst
Tuesday, December 30
Spend an hour with the Urban Park Rangers playing and learning new and exciting nature themed games. READ MORE

Kids Week: Survival Skills for Kids in Astoria Park

Astoria
Wednesday, December 31
The Urban Park Rangers show kids what it takes to survive the winter elements. Rangers go over map reading skills, building a tent, and the basics of fire building. READ MORE

Kids Week: Gather 'Round the Campfire and Tree Cookie Crafts in Poppenhusen Playground

College Point
Friday, January 2
Tree cookies are sliced up tree branches that kids can make a multitude of crafts with, from chimes to coasters, to lovely wall pieces. Create something fun around the cozy campfire. READ MORE

Kids Week at New York City Parks in the Bronx

Kids Week: Seal Exploration in Pelham Bay Park

Pelham
Monday, December 29
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a walk along the beach in search for seals! Kids use binoculars and spotting scopes along the beach, and learn about this magnificent marine animal who lives in our coastal waters. READ MORE

Kids Week: Nature Puppet Show in Crotona Park

Crotona Park
Tuesday, December 30
The Urban Park Rangers welcome kids for some nature-themed puppet shows! Learn more about animals that can be found in NYC's local parks. READ MORE

Kids Week: Stories by the Campfire in Van Cortlandt Park

Van Cortlandt Village
Wednesday, December 31
Join the Urban Park Rangers and gather around the campfire for story telling and fireside activities. READ MORE

Kids Week: Deer Exploration in Pelham Bay Park

Pelham
Friday, January 2
Oh deer! Kids learn all about these large animals and explore the park for signs they've passed through. READ MORE

Kids Week at New York City Parks on Staten Island

Kids Week: Kids Science Fair at Blue Heron Nature Center

Blue Heron Park
Monday, December 29
The Urban Park Rangers host an amazing day of science, with three amazing hands-on experiments. Participants can view microscopic life samples on a big screen projector, learn to classify rock and mineral specimens with the scientific method, and try an oil and water experiment to teach density. READ MORE

Kids Week: All about Owls at the Greenbelt Nature Center

Greenbelt
Tuesday, December 30
Learn about all about many species of owls that you can find on Staten Island. End the afternoon with an owl nature craft.  READ MORE

Kids Week: Campfire Story Time at Willowbrook Park

Bulls Head
Wednesday, December 31
The Urban Park Rangers light up a cozy campfire and host a story telling session, featuring engaging and educational stories about wildlife and nature. READ MORE

Kids Week: Animal Charades in De Matti Park

Park Hill
Friday, January 2
The Urban Park Rangers introduce kids to local wildlife by acting out some of the roles of favorite animals and their adaptations to living in New York City! READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Charybdis Playground in Astoria Park
Blue Heron Nature Center at Blue Heron Park

About the Author

Drew Kristofik
Drew Kristofik’s career took a twist from editing teen magazines to a seven-year stint at MacNeil/Lehrer, followed by a long run at Nickelodeon/Viacom as Director of Content for Nick Online and Editor-in-Chief of ParentsConnect.com. A founding member of the Webby Award-winning GoCityKids, she’s written for Family Fun, Vanity Fair, and New York. Her middle school novel, The Time Boat, is available on Amazon Kindle. Drew keeps the MommyPoppins New York Events calendar spot-on and can be reached at events@mommypoppins.com.
Recent Articles By Drew Kristofik:
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