Self-Guided Activities

Enjoy these self-guided activities during your visit to the gardens. Click on the activity title that interests you in order to download and print before your next adventure at Wave Hill.

Birding Bingo
Discover the many different birds that either make Wave Hill home or simply delight in spending time in the gardens while playing Birding Bingo. In addition to the bingo board, read fun facts about the most common bird visitors to Wave Hill.

Senses Scavenger Hunt
Become a detective using your five senses to uncover what lives at Wave Hill. Use our prompts to guide your exploration and get creative as you artistically document your findings.

Delight in fun nature activities while teaching, learning, working and entertaining your families at home. Click on the activity title that interests you to review the activity’s material list and procedure.

Anti-Strike Decals for Birds
Pre-K-2nd Grade
Take action to protect local birds by making “anti-strike” window decals.

Biomimicry Comic Strip
4th-12th Grade
Feel empowered by nature as you explore the different  ways animals, plants  and fungi adapt to meet challenges. 

City Connection: Urban Ecology Scavenger Hunt 
4th-12th Grade
Nature is found throughout our city. In this activity, track down evidence of urban wildlife and plant species that inhabit your neighborhood, whether in a park, your backyard or along the sidewalks.

Community Science Bird Count
Pre-K-2nd Grade
Sharpen your observation skills as you participate in a nationwide community science project.

Exploring Our Senses
Pre-K-2nd Grade
Three different activities help you engage your senses—hearing, smell and touch—to expand your awareness of the world around you.

Flower Dissection
3rd-5th Grade
Observe the parts of a flower firsthand and identify their specific functions.

Mammal Jeopardy
3rd-5th Grade
Test your mammal knowledge in a comprehensive mammal jeopardy game.

Neighborhood Mammal Watch
3rd-5th Grade
Venture out into your backyard, neighborhood or local park to look for mammals and signs of mammal activity.

Street Tree Census and Tree Adoption
3rd-5th Grade
Learn to identify local trees and become a wildlife steward as you “adopt” and tend to street trees in your neighborhood.

Uncovering the Composition of New York City's Bedrock
6th-12th Grade
Learn which types of rock make up the bedrock in different parts of New York City. Explore how, over time, the city's bedrock and all its human activity affect landscape composition.