Join NYC Parks’ Urban Park Rangers For Free Kids Programming During Winter Recess

Photo: NYC Parks / Daniel Avila

December 29, 2025 – January 2, 2026

Even when school’s out, our parks are still the city’s natural classroom! Bring your kids to parks throughout the city for Kids Week during the holiday break. With FREE programs led by our Urban Park Rangers, kids get to experience nature in a hands-on and fun way: they may never want to go back to class again!  

Programs are suitable for children ages 12 and under. 

Here are some highlights: 

Brooklyn:  

Kids Week: Natural Dyes- Sunset Park Playground  
December 29, 2025 |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. 

Queens: 

Kids Week: Ranger Games- Elmhurst Park  
December 30, 2025 | 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. 

Manhattan: 

Kids Week: Wigwam Gathering and Campfire- Inwood Hill Park  
December 31, 2025 | 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 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. 

Bronx: 

Kids Week: Oh Deer! Deer Exploration Hike- Orchard Beach in Pelham Bay Park  
January 2, 2026 | 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. 

Staten Island: 

Kids Week: Animal Charades- De Matti Playground  
January 2, 2026 | 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!