23 places and programs for kids in and around Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn (10 free): sports, music, libraries. Includes Bedford Library and Macon Library.
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.
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 Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA in Bedford-Stuyvesant 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.
A Brooklyn youth soccer club and NYCFC youth partner with toddler classes for ages 1-5, skills clinics for ages 6-14 and a girls-only group. Kids also play in a community futsal league and at school-break camps held in parks, schoolyards and an indoor clubhouse.
Marcy 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. Current calendar offerings for kids include Baby/Toddler Playtime, Story Play, Kids Create and Homework Help.
Caregivers and little ones sing, bounce, dance and play simple percussion together in a relaxed 45-minute Music Together circle. Mixed-age groups welcome siblings, and separate babies-only sections are offered for infants under 8 months.
A nonprofit community clay studio where kids hand-build and sculpt with clay, with family clay sessions for the youngest and drop-off after-school and pre-teen classes for older children. Some classes are taught in Spanish immersion.
A Bed-Stuy school where kids 3-18 study West African dance alongside tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop and modern. It is rooted in African diaspora cultural traditions.
A neighborhood Y branch where children can join youth sports, swim lessons, after-school and camp programs, and family-friendly events alongside a membership gym. Program offerings and times vary by season, so families check the branch schedule.
Neighborhood YMCA offering youth sports classes and leagues such as basketball, soccer and fitness, plus swim lessons and after-school programs. The branch is a long-standing Bed-Stuy community hub.
Neighborhood soccer club in Herbert Von King Park running toddler classes through youth teams, moving indoors to Socceroof in winter.
Kosciuszko Pool in Bedford-Stuyvesant has a big Olympic-size outdoor pool plus a separate wading pool for toddlers. Kids can splash and swim for free during the summer season, and NYC Parks often runs free Learn to Swim sessions at outdoor pools. Bring a padlock and swimwear.
A Bed-Stuy children's shop from Peace & Riot with toys, games, puzzles, STEAM kits, books and art supplies alongside kids' clothing and gifts. It's a handy neighborhood spot for birthday presents.
Named for the late jazz violinist, this Bed-Stuy nonprofit teaches children violin, viola, cello and other strings in group classes and ensembles. Students perform in recitals and community concerts.
A Bedford Avenue gym offering gymnastics, parkour, ninja and cheer classes for babies through young teens. Dance classes and a regional team are also available.
Hands-on engineering program where kids build and take home their own robots and gadgets, learning basic circuits, motors and design along the way. The local team runs after-school and in-school classes, holiday Foundry Fundays, summer Summer Circuits camps and birthday parties.
Herbert Von King Park Playground gives Bedford-Stuyvesant families a free spot to play, with structures sized for young children. Transfer platforms and ground-level play pieces give kids with limited mobility ways to get onto and around the equipment. In warm weather the spray showers turn a playground visit into an easy water-play outing.
A small, shallow neighborhood pool at Jesse Owens Playground in Bedford-Stuyvesant, good for younger kids cooling off in summer. Entry is free and no reservation is needed; bring a padlock for the lockers.
Free community tennis league teaching Bed-Stuy kids the game at neighborhood clubs including Jackie Robinson, Marcy Playground and Lafayette Gardens/Classon Playground.
Lafayette Playground is a NYC Parks play area in Bedford-Stuyvesant, with climbing structures and play equipment scaled for kids. Transfer platforms and ground-level play pieces give kids with limited mobility ways to get onto and around the equipment. In warm weather the spray showers turn a playground visit into an easy water-play outing.
Set in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Saratoga Park Playground is a neighborhood spot where children climb, explore and play with friends. Accessible swings let children who need extra support share the swing set with everyone else. In warm weather the spray showers turn a playground visit into an easy water-play outing.
Saturday basketball clinics in Bed-Stuy where kids drill ball handling, shooting and defense in a high-energy setting.
A Saturday program in Bed-Stuy where kids study violin, viola, cello, bass, piano, guitar or voice with theory, ensemble and private lesson time.
LittleGotham lists 23 places and programs for kids in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. The largest groups are 5 sports programs, 3 music programs, 3 libraries.
Yes. 10 of 23 are free to attend, including Bedford Library, Macon Library, Kosciuszko Pool.
15 listings are indoors, such as Bedford Library, Macon Library, Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA Swim Lessons.