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Free Kids Week Programming Takes Over 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
1/1/22 - By Drew Kristofik

If you need to stave off cabin fever over Spring 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: Nature Exploration for Kids

Inwood
Monday, April 10
The Urban Park Rangers lead kids on a hike through the forest and to the salt marsh to learn about the two unique ecosystems in Inwood Hill Park. READ MORE

Kids Week: Meet the Critters

Washington Heights
Tuesday, April 11
From stick bugs to snakes, kids are invited to meet the animals that call the J Hood Wright Park center their home. READ MORE

Kids Week: Native Planting Party

Midtown West
Wednesday, April 12
Celebrate Earth Month discussing pollinators and plants, and take home a planted seed to start your own native plant garden.  READ MORE

Kids Week: Animal Olympics

Central Park
Thursday, April 13
Can you jump as far as a coyote or grip as strong as an eagle? Test your agility and physical skills as you engage in activities that mirror everyday life of wildlife. READ MORE

Kids Week: Trivia Under The Trees

Chinatown
Friday, April 14
Urban Park Rangers lead a quiz game hike through Columbus Park, asking fun-filled questions along the way that touch on park history, ecology, and everything in between. 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

Prospect Park
Monday, April 10
Kids use plant materials to make fabulous natural dyes, under the guidance of the Urban Park Rangers. READ MORE

Kids Week: Nature Journaling

Fort Greene Park
Tuesday, April 11
The Urban Park Ranger show kids how to create a nature journal from common plants found in NYC Parks. Gather fallen plant materials you find in the park or use pre-collected plant leaves/flowers to create nature journal entries by stamping the plant shapes and patterns onto the pages. READ MORE

Kids Week: Seining for Kids

Marine Park
Wednesday, April 12
Head to Marine Park and join the Urban Park Rangers to get your hands wet; seining programs use nets to catch fish and other aquatic species. READ MORE

Kids Week: Gather Around the Campfire

Fort Greene
Thursday, April 13
The Urban Park Rangers host a morning program with story telling and fireside activities. READ MORE

Kids Week: Orienteering for Kids

Bay Ridge
Friday, April 14
Urban Park Rangers teach kids the basics of using a map and compass. Discover clues around the park to help complete an all ages friendly map-based scavenger hunt. READ MORE

Kids Week at New York City Parks in Queens

Kids Week: Nature Exploration Hike and Craft

Forest Park
Monday, April 10
The Urban Park Rangers help kids experience nature in a hands-on and fun way, using the park as an inspiration to construct a nature-based craft. READ MORE

Kids Week: Build a Birdfeeder

Rego Park
Tuesday, April 11
Kids learn about birds in the neighborhood and what they like to eat, then build a bird feeder from recycled materials. READ MORE

Kids Week: Nature Puppet Show

Fort Totten Park
Wednesday, April 12
Kids can watch a puppet show and learn about animals that can be found in NYC's parks with the Urban Park Rangers. READ MORE

Kids Week: Gather Around the Campfire

Alley Pond Park
Thursday, April 13
Gather by the campfire to enjoy an afternoon of story telling and fireside activities with the Urban Park Rangers. READ MORE

Kids Week: April Showers Bring May Flowers

Alley Pond Park
Friday, April 14
Make seed bombs with the Urban Park Rangers for your garden, flowerpot, or planter to help Alley Pond's native pollinators. READ MORE

Kids Week at New York City Parks in the Bronx

Kids Week: Seed Bomb Making

Pelham Bay
Monday, April 10
Urban Park Rangers teach kids how to make seed bombs and grow native wildflower seeds. Learn how wild flowers are vital for pollinators in Pelham Bay. READ MORE

Kids Week: Nature Puppet Show

Kingsbridge
Tuesday, April 11
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: Ranger Games

Crotona Park
Wednesday, April 12
Spend an afternoon of fun with the Urban Park Rangers playing and learning new and exciting nature themed games. READ MORE

Kids Week: Birding for Kids

Pelham Bay
Thursday, April 13
Urban Park Rangers teach kids all about different ways to identify birds in NYC parks. READ MORE

Kids Week: Stories by the Campfire

Van Cortlandt Park
Friday, April 14
Kids gather by the campfire to enjoy an afternoon of story telling and fireside activities. READ MORE

Kids Week at New York City Parks on Staten Island

Kids Week: Pollinator Planting Party

Blue Heron Park
Monday, April 10
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a hike through the park, then plant some new life into the park while learning all about pollinators and the role they play on the environment. Kids might even be able to take something home to start their own pollinator gardens.  READ MORE

Kids Week: All About Opossums

Westerleigh Park
Tuesday, April 11
The Urban Park Rangers teach kids all about opossums while playing some games and making crafts to take home. READ MORE

Kids Week: Nature Finger Painting

Port Richmond
Wednesday, April 12
Get creative with the Urban Park Rangers and take some inspiration from the beautiful nature in Faber park as you paint the natural world. No brushes needed; you'll be using your fingers!  READ MORE

Kids Week: Seining for Kids

Eltingville
Thursday, April 13
Head to Seaside Wildlife Nature Park and join the Urban Park Rangers to get your hands wet; seining programs use nets to catch fish and other aquatic species. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Audubon Center at the Boathouse, Prospect Park
Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park)
Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park)
Blue Heron Nature Center at Blue Heron Park

About the Author

Drew Kristofik

Drew Kristofik's early career editing teen magazines somehow morphed into a seven-year stint at MacNeil/Lehrer, followed by a very long sojourn at Nickelodeon/Viacom as Director of Content for Nick online and then Editor-in-Chief of ParentsConnect.com local. She was a founding member of the WebbyAward winning GoCityKids, has written for Family Fun Magazine, Vanity Fair, and New York, and her novel for middle schoolers, The Time Boat, is available on Amazon Kindle. She strives to keep the MommyPoppins New York Events calendar packed and accurate, and can be reached at events@mommypoppins.com.
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