NYC Parks’ Urban Park Rangers Offer Spring Break Activities for Kids

New York City Public Schools start Spring Break this Friday. From March 30-April 6 schools will be closed and that will leave a lot of parents of city kids scratching their heads looking for something to do. Luckily, the NYC Parks will save the day (or week) again with their lineup of free and educational programs and activities for kids.

Kids younger than 12 can look forward to a number of citywide programs across all five bouroughs and get a chance to learn about insects, reptiles, birds, and wilderness survival among others. Here is a list of some program highlights:

•  Orienteering – Pelham Bay Nature Center, Bronx Monday, April, 1-2pm. Use a compass and map to navigate your way around Pelham Bay Park and find hidden objects. 
•  Sea Shore Exploration – Salt Marsh Nature Center in Marine Park, Brooklyn, Tuesday, April 3, 1-2:30pm. Explore the sea shore and look out for diverse wildlife as you hike.
• Tree Walk – Inwood Hill Park, Manhattan Wednesday, April 4, 1-2:30pm. Look for signs of wildlife and identify trees on this walk with Urban Park Rangers.
• Campfire Activities – Fort Greene Park Visitor Center, Brooklyn Thursday, April 5, 1-2:30pm. Learn about campfire safety with the guidance of our Urban Park Rangers and sing along to classic campfire songs 
• Water Wonders – Hallets Cove Playground, Queens Thursday, April 5, 11-12:30pm. Join the Urban Park Rangers for an afternoon of learning and playing fun water games.
• Archery – Willowbrook Park, Staten Island Friday, April 6, 1-2:30pm. Hit the bull’s eye with our Urban Park Rangers and try your hand at the art of archery.

“Kids Week is the perfect opportunity for the city’s students to step out of the classrooms and right into nature,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, in a statement. “In every borough, our Urban Park Rangers have activities planned that allow young people to explore the City’s urban forests and learn new, fun, and useful skills."