Nature

Wild NYC is at the other end of your doorstep! Explore New York's urban forests, streams, and wildlife with these fun outdoor activities.
Nature Events
Monday, December 29, 2025
Kids Week: Seal Exploration for Kids
at Section 2 Orchard Beach (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
12:00 p.m.–1:00 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
Kids Week: 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.
Even when school's out, our parks are still the city's natural classroom! From stick bugs to snakes, meet the animals that call the center their home.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Move With Nature Stretching Party
at 164th Street and Oak Avenue (in Kissena Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Warm up with the Urban Park Rangers with a fun movement session inspired by urban wildlife and the natural world!
Free!
Kids
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Kids Week: All About Owls Hike and Craft
at Greenbelt Nature Center (in Blood Root Valley), Staten Island 
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Learn about all about many species of owls that you can find on Staten Island. End the afternoon with an owl nature craft. Registration is required. Registration opens Monday Dec 22.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Nature Puppet Show
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx 
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
Kids Week: Ranger Games
at Elmhurst Park Grand Avenue Entrance (in Elmhurst 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
Kids Week: Sensory Perception Hike for Kids
at Entrance - East 88th Street and Seaview Avenue (in Canarsie Park), Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a walk through Canarsie Park using your senses of touch, smell, sight and hearing to explore the natural world.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Winter Birding for Kids
at West 90th Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 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
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Kids Week: Campfire Story Time
at Archery Field Parking Lot (in Willowbrook 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 share engaging and educational stories about wildlife and nature. Dress warm
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Winter Scavenger Hunt
at Wilson Avenue and Weirfield Street (in Irving Square Park), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a scavenger hunt! Search high and low for the natural wonders hiding just under your nose.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Campfire Story Time
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
Kids Week: Survival Skills for Kids
at Hoyt Avenue North and 19th Street (in Astoria Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers and learn what it takes to survive the winter elements. Team up with your family and bond over these team building activities.
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
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Thursday, January 1, 2026
New Year's Day Hike
at Parking Lot (in Clove Lakes Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
If your New Year's resolution is to get healthy, join the Urban Park Rangers on a lengthy hike. Start the new year off right on this healthy and scenic hike of Clove Lakes Park.
Free!
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Friday, January 2, 2026
Kids Week: Animal Charades
at De Matti Playground (in De Matti Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers and learn about our local wildlife, by acting out some of our favorite animals and their adaptations to living in New York City!
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Oh Deer! Deer Exploration Hike
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
Kids Week: Survival Skills for Kids
at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn 
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn basic outdoor skills such as shelter building, fire making and survival skills.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Winter Nature Crafts
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
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Saturday, January 3, 2026
Alley Giant Hike (Vigorous)
at Alley Pond Adventure Course (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
This hike will take you to the oldest living organism in New York, the Alley Giant. Comfortable walking footwear highly recommended.
Free!
Fireside Meditation
at Entrance - Cornelia Avenue and Chester Avenue (in Wolfe's Pond Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers at Clove Lakes Park for an afternoon of guided mediative exercises beside the warmth of a crackling fire.
Free!
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Sunday, January 4, 2026
Birding: Bald Eagle Watch
at Seaman Avenue and Isham Street (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Winter is a spectacular time for observing bald eagles in New York City parks. See if you can spot any on this adventure with our Urban Park Rangers. Please dress warmly.
Free!
Greenbelt Hike
at Greenbelt Nature Center (in Blood Root Valley), Staten Island 
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Urban Park Rangers will lead hikers through some of the hidden gems of the Greenbelt on a lengthy journey through the park’s diverse forests and ecosystems.
Free!
Winter Tree ID
at Driggs Avenue and Lorimer Street (in McCarren Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join us for a walk of McCarren Park in search of different tree species and learn some ways to identify these trees during the changing season.
Free!
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Birding: Winter Waterfowl
at Springfield Blvd and 146th Avenue Entrance (in Springfield Park), Queens
2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome. Discover which waterfowl have returned for the winter season.
Free!
Monday, January 5, 2026
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Thursday, January 8, 2026
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Friday, January 9, 2026
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Saturday, January 10, 2026
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Sunday, January 11, 2026
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Monday, January 12, 2026
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Friday, January 16, 2026
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Birding: Owls and Owl Pellet Discovery
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island 
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Learn about all about owls and dissect their pellets to see what they eat. You will be surprised by your discovery.
Free!
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Winter Tree ID
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 for a winter walk around Inwood Hill Park to learn how to identify trees even after their leaves have fallen.
Free!
Sunday, January 18, 2026
Birding: Winter Birds
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn 
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join us on this Ranger led walk along the park identifying various marshland birds and winter waterfowl.
Free!
Gather Around the Campfire: Nature Story Time
at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn 
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for storytime around the campfire. Rangers will be reading children’s books related to the natural world.
Free!
Wildlife Viewing: City Squirrels
at Forest Park Visitor Center (in Forest Park), Queens 
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Learn all about squirrels in New York City and how they play an important role in our parks.
Free!
Outdoor Skills: Animal Tracking
at Alley Pond Park Environmental Center (in Alley Pond Park), Queens 
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join this Urban Park Ranger led walk as we look for evidence of wildlife in the park.
Free!
