School Break: Spring Recess
New York City schools are out but there are plenty of fun and educational activities for kids at NYC Parks! From birding to games to lessons about wildlife, there are tons of great ways to keep young students amused and informed over the break.
Our Urban Park Rangers will transform our parks into natural classrooms with free nature-related programs for kids.
Discover fun ways kids can learn about wildlife from home through fun games and trivia by our Wildlife Team!
Kids can play, learn, and create at our rec centers citywide. Memberships for kids, teens, and young adults under 25 are free!
School Break: Spring Recess Events
Monday, February 17, 2025
Kids Week: All About Owls Hike and Craft
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Learn about all about owls while taking a hike through the trails of Blue Heron Park. End the afternoon with an owl nature craft.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Natural Dyes
at Sunset Park Playground (in Sunset Park), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park rangers in using plant materials to make fabulous dyes! Bring a white cotton clothing item or get a handkerchief to tie-dye
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Campfire Story Time
at Entrance (in Margaret I. Carman Green - Weeping Beech), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers and hear tales of NYC’s urban wildlife while enjoying the warmth of a campfire.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Wigwam Gathering and Campfire
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Explore and enter our 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.
Free!
Kids
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Kids Week: Campfire Story Time
at Parking Lot (in Clove Lakes Park), Staten Island
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a cozy campfire and story telling session. Rangers will read books and use puppets paired with visual props.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Nature Exploration for Kids
at Entrance - West 100 Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
The natural world is the best playground in New York City! Join the Urban Park Rangers on a hike through the wonders of Central Park..
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Nature Scavenger Hunt
at Playground for All Children (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a fun nature scavenger hunt! Participants will learn how to use a map to uncover hidden clues and discover the nature in the park along the way.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Urban Wildlife
at Forest Park Visitor Center (in Forest Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
With programs led by our Urban Park Rangers, kids will get to experience nature in a hands-on and fun way. Learn about the diverse wildlife found in New York City’s parks.
Free!
Kids
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Kids Week: Birds of Play
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Rangers and learn how birds fly, design your own paper “bird-plane,” and compete to see who rules the skies!
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Nature Puppet Show
at Roy Wilkins Park - Entrance (in Roy Wilkins Recreation Center), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
The Urban Park Rangers welcome you for some nature themed puppet shows! Learn more about animals that can be found in our local parks.
Free!
Kids
Thursday, February 20, 2025
Kids Week: Nature Bingo
at Eton Place Parking Lot (in Willowbrook Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as we search to fill our Bingo Cards with sights and sounds of the season! We will use our senses to explore the local flora and fauna.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Chalk It Up
at Elmhurst Park Grand Avenue Entrance (in Elmhurst Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Fill the sidewalk with colorful art inspired by all the things we love about nature. Create a mural with your friends using chalk and imagination alongside the Urban Park Rangers.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Manhattan Rocks! Geology Hike
at Margaret Corbin Circle (in Fort Tryon Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
. With programs led by our Urban Park Rangers, kids will get to experience nature in a hands-on and fun way. Learn all about the geological landscape of Manhattan.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Shelter Building
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Rangers will teach you different methods of shelter building using natural materials.
Free!
Kids
Friday, February 21, 2025
Kids Week: Bald Eagle Watch
at Payson Park House (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
With programs led by our Urban Park Rangers, kids will get to experience nature in a hands-on and fun way. Rangers will lead you to the best spots to view bald eagles.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Birding for Kids
at Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Bird watching can be fun, especially during the winter season. Learn all about different ways to identify birds in our parks.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Meet the Critters
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
From stick bugs to snakes, meet the animals that call the center their home.
Free!
Kids