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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, December 7, 2025
Gather Around the Campfire
at Entrance - Vernon Boulevard and 41st Avenue (in Queensbridge Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join NYC’s Urban Park Ranger and hear tales of NYC’s urban wildlife while enjoying the warmth of a campfire.
Free!
Nature Exploration Hike
at Margaret Corbin Circle (in Fort Tryon Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Rangers will introduce you to the many species of living nature found within Fort Tryon Park.
Free!
Monday, December 29, 2025
Kids Week: Kids Science Fair
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island 
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for an amazing day of science. Channel your inner scientist with amazing hands-on experiments.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Natural Dyes
at Sunset Park Playground (in Sunset Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers in using naturally sourced materials to tie-dye! Bring your own white cotton clothing and create your own work of art.
Free!
Kids
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
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: 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
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
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
Sunday, January 18, 2026
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!
Nature Exploration Hike
at Margaret Corbin Circle (in Fort Tryon Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Rangers will introduce you to the many species of living nature found within Fort Tryon Park.
Free!
Winter Shoreline Wildlife Watch
at Sharrott Avenue and Hylan Boulevard (in Lemon Creek Park), Staten Island
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Raritan Bay features many species of winter waterfowl and seals can often be seen basking nearby. We will use binoculars and spotting scopes along the beach to view wildlife.
Free!
Kids
Saturday, January 24, 2026
Nature Exploration Hike
at Entrance - East 88th Street and Seaview Avenue (in Canarsie Park), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a winter discovery hike. Learn about the flora and fauna that call Canarsie Park home during its coldest months!
Free!
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