Translate
AccessibilityUrban Park Rangers: Kids and Families
Our Urban Park Rangers connect children with nature to encourage active exploration of the natural world. Children who spend time outdoors develop strong imaginations and learn to socialize better with others. Urban Park Rangers are role models who encourage children to let their imaginations run wild in a safe, supportive atmosphere.
Kids Week
Join our Urban Park Rangers during Midwinter Recess for jun kid-friendly nature programs, from birding and hiking adventures to survival skills and art workshops.
Urban Park Rangers: Kids and Families Events
Sunday, November 24, 2024
Autumn Gardening: Bulb Planting
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as we plant bulbs for our spring garden. Daffodils and tulips go in the ground in the fall so we’ll have flowers in the spring!
Free!
Event
Native American Heritage Month: Lenape of Staten Island
at School Road and Bay Street (in Von Briesen Park), Staten Island
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
During Native American Heritage Month, explore the past and present experience of Native Americans.
Free!
Event
Nature Scavenger Hunt
at Elmhurst Park Grand Avenue Entrance (in Elmhurst Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join us for a day of exploration and discovery by uncovering hidden treasures amidst the scenic beauty of nature.
Free!
Kids
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Gather Around the Campfire
at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn 
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for an afternoon of campfire activities such as stories, songs and more
Free!
Sunday, December 8, 2024
Holiday Printmaking and Ornaments
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as they teach you some fun and easy printmaking techniques. Registration opens Wednesday November 27
Free!
Monday, December 23, 2024
All About Owls Hike and Nature Craft for Kids
at Greenbelt Nature Center (in Blood Root Valley), Staten Island
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn about all about owls that can be found in our parks and create an owl related craft made from nature.
Free!
Kids
Campfire Story Time for Kids
at Entrance - Beach 35th Street and Beach Channel Drive (in Bayswater Park), Queens
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
Kiddie Story Time by the Wigwam
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a story telling session inside the wigwam. Rangers will read books and use puppets paired with visual props.
Free!
Kids
Seal Exploration for Kids
at Section 2 Orchard Beach (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Rangers as we walk along the beach in search for seals! We will use binoculars and spotting scopes along the beach, and learn about this magnificent marine animal.
Free!
Kids
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Birding for Kids
at Chapin Parkway and 85th Avenue (in Captain Tilly Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Let’s learn how to get an up close look at birds without the need for wings! We will teach you ways to identify birds by sight and sounds.
Free!
Kids
Campfire Story Time for Kids
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
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
Nature Puppet Show for Kids
at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–2:30 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
Winter Birding for Kids
at West 90th Street and Central Park West
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
Winter Coastal Ecology for Kids
at Ocean Breeze Pier, Seaview Avenue and Father Capodanno Boulevard (in Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk and Beach), Staten Island
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Discover the nature and beauty of Ocean Breeze Park on a winter exploration hike with the Urban Park Rangers. Winter brings changes to local flora and fauna along the shoreline.
Free!
Kids
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Survival Skills for Kids
at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Learn basic outdoor skills such as shelter building, fire making and survival skills.
Free!
Kids
Winter Bingo for Kids
at Freshkills North Park Entrance (in Freshkills Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Explore your curiosity while trying to score five items in a row as you learn about all things winter at Freshkills Park.
Free!
Kids
Animal Tracking Scat-venger Hunt for Kids
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
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. Join the Urban Park Rangers on an animal tracking scavenger hunt.
Free!
Kids
Tree Cookie Creations for Kids
at Track (in Al Oerter Recreation Center), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join this eco-friendly art movement and let the rings of a tree tell tales on your canvas, connecting past, present, and future in a beautiful symphony of creation.
Free!
Kids
Winter Wildlife Hike for Kids
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as they walk the trails in search of animals that call this park home for the winter.
Free!
Kids
Friday, December 27, 2024
Game Show Trivia for Kids
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Compete in this mulit-round competition, geared towards aspiring park rangers, testing all things history, science, nature, and local pop culture.
Free!
Kids
Deer Exploration For Kids
at Section 2 Orchard Beach (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Oh deer! Learn more about this majestic species and explore the park in search of signs and traces of its presence.
Free!
Kids
Winter Nature Crafts for Kids
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Let the winter season inspire you as we create crafts from things found in nature.
Free!
Kids
Nocturnal Hike and Campfire for Kids
at Myrtle Avenue and Park Lane South (in Forest Park), Queens
4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Join the Rangers for a short hike and discover the wonders of the natural world after dark. Then gather around the campfire to learn more about some of your local nocturnal animals
Free!
Kids
Saturday, December 28, 2024
Gather Around the Campfire
at West 114th Street and Morningside Drive (in Morningside Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Gather by the campfire to enjoy an afternoon of story telling and fireside activities.
Free!
Kids
Urban Wildlife Hike
at Chapin Parkway and 85th Avenue (in Captain Tilly Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn about the diverse wildlife found in New York City’s parks and the best ways for people and animals to coexist, including the many benefits of having so many animals in our city!
Free!
Kids
Monday, December 30, 2024
Campfire Story Time for Kids
at Parking Lot (in Clove Lakes Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 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
Scavenger Hunt for Kids
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Come get salty with us on a nautical scavenger hunt. Find all the clues and win a prize!
Free!
Kids
Nature Puppet Show for Kids
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:30 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
Ranger Games for Kids
at Juniper North Playground (in Juniper Valley Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Spend an afternoon of fun with the Urban Park Rangers playing and learning new and exciting nature games.
Free!
Kids
Winter Wonderland Hike for Kids
at West 108th Street and Riverside Drive (in Riverside Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Discover the nature and beauty of Riverside Park on a scenic winter hike with the Urban Park Rangers.
Free!
Kids
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Knots and Paracord Crafts for Kids
at Maine Avenue and Willard Avenue (in Westerleigh Park)
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join us in a workshop on a few key knots and learn to make and take home your own handmade paracord bracelet that is as fashionable as it is functional.
Free!
Kids
Upcycling Nature Crafts for Kids
at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Upcycling can be fun and resourceful for nature and ecology. Bring your own clean recyclable food and beverage containers to make fun art projects, bird houses, planters, and bee boxes!
Free!
Kids
Kiddie Craft and Hike
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
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. Get creative as we use the park as an inspiration to construct a craft
Free!
Kids
Meet the Nature Center Critters
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
From stick bugs to snakes, meet the animals that call the center their home.
Free!
Kids
Nature Puppet Show for Kids
at Fort Totten Park Visitors Center (in Fort Totten Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 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
%7Cutmcsr%3D(direct)%7Cutmcmd%3D(none)%3B%2B__utmv%3D94113842.-%3B)