Back-to-School Programs for Kids and Teens

Whether you're a parent looking for after-school programs or a student looking to enhance your academic experience by learning new skills, make sure you check out our resources for the year ahead!

NYC Parks Afterschool Program

Our free Afterschool Program provides ages kids 6-13 the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of fun activities and academic enrichment during after-school hours from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Kids enjoy team-building activities, sports and fitness, and STEAM programs.

Learn more about Parks Afterschool

kids work together to put together a structure with popsicle sticks

Join our Recreation Centers

Memberships are free for kids and teens! At our rec centers, kids can play and learn while enjoying an abundance of free youth programming during after-school hours. Please visit the website of your local recreation center to find out which programs may be available for your child. 


Media Education 

Our expert media educators offer free digital arts and technology programs at our Media Labs inside our recreation centers. Memberships for kids, teens, and young adults are free! 

Kids can learn filmmaking, photography, coding, and more at our free youth workshops offered during after-school hours.

Learn more about
Youth and Teen
Media Education programs

Through our Garden Kitchen Lab program, children can learn the science behind cooking and gardening!

Learn more about the
Garden Kitchen Lab program

Teens ages 13-17 learn how to produce music, make documentary films, create animations, develop video games, design websites, and more!

Learn more about
Rec Youth

Want to boost your resume for a college application, internship, or new job? Teens ages 16+ can become certified in Microsoft Office or Adobe Creative Cloud.

Learn more about TechOpps


Sports and Swim Programs

We offer free swimming lessons for kids at our indoor pools during the school year. Classes are held on weekdays from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Saturdays.

Learn more about our
Learn to Swim program

Kids ages 6-18 are welcome to join our Parks Swim Team! The team meets for practice sessions, where kids develop swimming skills and sportsmanship, and participates in citywide and championship swim meets!

Learn more about our
Youth Swim Team

During the school year, we open up registration for our Flag Football League and our winter basketball league. Check out our sports programs and more from our partners!

Learn more about our
Youth Sports


Research at Parks

Dig into the science and history behind our parks! Explore nature, wildlife, and historical moments in our parks, and learn more about how we care for our greenspaces.

Visit the Learning Hub

Are you looking to conduct a scientific research project within an NYC park? We can help you get started!

Learn more about conducting research at Parks


Recess Programs

When schools are out, our parks offer fun ways to keep learning!

Hosted by the Urban Park Rangers! Kids and their families are welcome to join our free, drop-in natural classroom programs during the spring and midwinter recess. Kids enjoy hands-on programming while enjoying hikes, scavenger hunts, nature exploration, birding, and more! 

Learn more about Kids Week

Our low-cost Summer Camp program is a chance for kids ages 6-13 to enjoy a fun-filled summer while making new friends, playing, learning, and exploring! 

Learn more about Parks Summer Camp