839 kid-friendly places and programs in Brooklyn, led by sports, play spaces and playgrounds. Includes Bedford Library and Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Bedford Library is a neighborhood branch where Bedford-Stuyvesant children can sit and read, check out books and media on a free card, and join regularly scheduled kids' programs. Programs for young children and school-age kids have included Story Play, Saturday Storytime, Kids Create and Sensory Playtime. The branch is also open Sunday afternoons, which is handy for weekend visits.
Little ones and school-age kids in Prospect Heights can browse the picture-book and early-reader shelves at Brooklyn Central Library, borrow games and use the computers after school. The weekly lineup has recently included Saturday Storytime, DIY Fridays and Read With a Therapy Dog. The building also has a separate Teen Center, and it stays open later than most branches.
A sprawling 19th-century landscape of hills, ponds and monuments where families can wander, spot birds and hunt for famous graves using a free mobile guide. Guided walking tours, two-hour historic trolley tours and events like the August Battle of Brooklyn re-enactment add to the history lesson.
Greenpoint Library and Environmental Education Center is a neighborhood branch where Greenpoint children can sit and read, check out books and media on a free card, and join regularly scheduled kids' programs. The weekly lineup has recently included Sensory Garden Hour, Read and Play, K-8 Homework Help and Sunset Storytime. The rebuilt branch doubles as an environmental education center with indoor and outdoor learning spaces, and it opens Sunday afternoons.
Macon Library gives Bedford-Stuyvesant families a free indoor stop with a kids' collection that runs from baby board books to middle-grade novels. The weekly lineup has recently included Macon Storytime, Saturday Storytime, DUPLO Lego Time and Arts and Crafts. The 1907 Carnegie building is one of Brooklyn's best-preserved and houses a center for African American heritage; it also opens Sunday afternoons.
The children's area at Adams Street Library stocks board books, picture books and chapter books for DUMBO kids, with computers and table space for after-school reading and homework. The weekly lineup has recently included Babies and Books lapsit and Toddler Time. Opened in a converted factory building a short walk from Brooklyn Bridge Park, it is the newest branch BPL has built in decades.
An 85-acre waterfront park along 1.3 miles of the East River, with big playgrounds at Pier 6, sports courts, lawns and pebbly beaches facing the Manhattan skyline. Hundreds of free programs a year include kids' nature education, bike lessons and outdoor movies.
Cortelyou Library gives Ditmas Park families a free indoor stop with a kids' collection that runs from baby board books to middle-grade novels. The weekly lineup has recently included Choo Choo Train Time, Toddler Time, Story Play and Kids Create.
At DeKalb Library, the youth collection covers everything from lap-sized board books to graphic novels, and the space doubles as a quiet after-school spot for Bushwick students. Programs for young children and school-age kids have included Story Play, Book Adventures and Kids Tech Time. Note that the elevator has been temporarily out of service.
A six-acre East River park built on the site of the old Domino Sugar Refinery, with a sugar-themed playground and a fountain splash area. Families also find lawns, sports courts and a seasonal ice rink.
At Flatlands Library, the youth collection covers everything from lap-sized board books to graphic novels, and the space doubles as a quiet after-school spot for Flatlands students. The weekly lineup has recently included Storytime, Toddler Time, Read and Play and After School Stories. It is an inclusive-services branch with some Braille materials.
Little ones and school-age kids in Kensington can browse the picture-book and early-reader shelves at Kensington Library, borrow games and use the computers after school. The weekly lineup has recently included Story Play, Kids Create, Kids Explore and grab-and-go crafts.
At McKinley Park Library, the youth collection covers everything from lap-sized board books to graphic novels, and the space doubles as a quiet after-school spot for Dyker Heights students. Programs for young children and school-age kids have included Mandarin Story Time, Toddler Time, Discovery Table and Babies Create. A Mandarin-language story time is part of the regular mix.
Coney Island's aquarium features sharks, sea turtles, sea lions and penguins, including the Ocean Wonders: Sharks! building and live sea lion shows at the Aquatheater. Admission includes a 4-D theater film.
A free drop-in workshop series at the Gowanus creative production center where families build tunnel books, design puppets and sculpt miniature artworks. Each session ties into a current exhibition, and no registration is needed.
Year-round tennis facility with hard and clay courts and a winter bubble in Prospect Park. Its Junior Development program offers group instruction for kids 3–17 at every level.
A compact, kid-scaled zoo in Prospect Park with sea lions, red pandas, kangaroos and a barnyard area where children can see farm animals up close. Easy to cover in a couple of hours with little ones.
The children's area at Saratoga Library stocks board books, picture books and chapter books for Ocean Hill kids, with computers and table space for after-school reading and homework. Current calendar offerings for kids include Story Play, Kids Create, Read and Play and summer reading events in garden. The 1908 Carnegie building has a tile roof and a garden used for summer reading events.
The Shorefront Y's swim academy follows the SwimRight method, taking kids from 3 months old through nine levels that end with all four competitive strokes. There are also swim teams and Red Cross aquatics courses.
A nonprofit gallery in a former DUMBO industrial building that shows large-scale work by emerging and mid-career artists, free of charge. Its Art Ready program offers free art mentorship for NYC public school students.
Williamsburgh Library is a neighborhood branch where Williamsburg children can sit and read, check out books and media on a free card, and join regularly scheduled kids' programs. Current calendar offerings for kids include Storytime, Spanish Storytime, Kids Create and Friday Slimeday. A Spanish-language story time runs alongside the English sessions.
A 52-acre garden with cherry trees, a Japanese garden and seasonal plantings. Young kids can explore the Discovery Garden and join drop-in family nature programs.
The Greenpoint YMCA in Greenpoint runs YMCA swim lessons in its indoor pool, from parent-and-child water play for babies and toddlers to preschool classes for ages 3–5 and stroke-building levels for school-age kids and teens. Families can also use scheduled family swim times.
An 18th-century Flatbush farmhouse in Prospect Park with a working garden and hands-on exhibits. Kids try imaginative play and outdoor activities while learning about the Lenape and African Americans connected to the site.
LittleGotham lists 839 places and programs for kids in Brooklyn. The largest groups are 207 sports programs, 90 play spaces, 84 playgrounds.
Yes. 234 of 839 are free to attend, including Bedford Library, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn Central Library.
642 listings are indoors, such as Bedford Library, Brooklyn Central Library, Greenpoint Library and Environmental Education Center.
Park Slope (70), Williamsburg (53), Brooklyn Heights (35).