20 places and programs for kids in and around Bensonhurst, Brooklyn (7 free): sports, dance, libraries. Includes Ryder Library and Champions Martial Arts 20th Avenue.
At Ryder 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 Bensonhurst students. Recurring kids' programs lately have included Storytime, Open Play and Kids Create Craftapalooza. It is one of the branches open on Sunday afternoons.
At Highlawn 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 Bensonhurst students. Recurring kids' programs lately have included Toddler Time, Saturday Storytime, Ready Set Kindergarten and Kids Create. The main reading room is a distinctive round space with colorful glazed-block walls.
New Utrecht Library is a neighborhood branch where Bensonhurst 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, Babies & Books, Story and Craft and Homework Help. The branch also takes part in the city's free summer meals program for kids.
A Champions Martial Arts school where children train in taekwondo-based martial arts in age-grouped classes, starting with the Little Tigers program for the youngest kids and moving up to kids and teen classes. The school also runs an after-school program, a summer camp and a competition team.
Kids complete short, leveled math and reading worksheets each day and visit the center on scheduled days to work under instructor guidance and get graded feedback. Because each child progresses by mastery rather than grade, the program works for young beginners and advanced students alike.
A Bensonhurst studio offering children's dance lessons in ballet, hip hop, K-pop, jazz and Chinese dance. Kids learn choreography and technique in classes alongside the studio's adult programs.
Young kids ages 4-6 learn grappling basics in the Tiny Tigers class, while 7-12 year olds train in the Juniors program. The school teaches Brazilian jiu-jitsu and kickboxing and also offers private lessons.
JCH runs summer day camps for preschoolers through 9th graders. Little ones do gym, swimming, music, cooking and art, older campers head to the Henry Kaufmann Campground for swimming, archery, a ropes course, theater and STEM, and teens do service projects and weekly trips.
Tennis club near Gravesend Bay with junior clinics for beginners and developing players, plus private coaching.
The Bensonhurst branch teaches ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop and acro to children from age 2. Students perform in recitals.
Preschoolers ages 4-5 work on balance and coordination in the Little Tigers class, and 6-12 year olds train in kids taekwondo focused on discipline, fitness and respect. Teens can join the teen and adult classes for self-defense and conditioning.
A Bensonhurst taekwondo school with a Pee Wee class for preschoolers, an elementary kids program and a teen leadership track. Families can also train together in family martial arts classes.
Ballroom dance club in Bensonhurst/Mapleton that runs kids' dance classes built around fun activities. Kids who get serious can train toward competitive ballroom.
Brooklyn branch of a ballroom and Latin dance school with a Junior Program for young dancers. Kids learn partner dances in group classes, and students can go on to compete.
A Bensonhurst studio offering hip-hop, tap, jazz and ballet from age 2.5. Tuition and schedules are available through a parent portal.
Garibaldi Playground is a NYC Parks play area in Bensonhurst, 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. On hot summer days the spray showers switch on, and kids run through the water to cool off.
Set in Bensonhurst, Lt. Joseph Petrosino 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. On hot summer days the spray showers switch on, and kids run through the water to cool off.
Mapleton Library is the Bensonhurst branch of Brooklyn Public Library, with a children's collection and regular early-literacy programs when the building is in service. Right now the building is closed (closed for renovations, expected to reopen in 2026), so families should use nearby branches or the mobile/pop-up services in the meantime.
Seth Low Playground offers a dedicated children's area at W. 12th St between Bay Pkwy and Ave P, where kids can climb and play on structures made for them. Ground-level activities and transfer platforms make much of the play area reachable for children with mobility needs. A spray shower makes it a go-to summer stop when children need to splash and cool down.
A parish basketball program in Bensonhurst where kids play in CYO and intramural leagues and attend skills clinics. Volunteer coaches lead the teams.
LittleGotham lists 20 places and programs for kids in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. The largest groups are 6 sports programs, 5 dance programs, 4 libraries.
Yes. 7 of 20 are free to attend, including Ryder Library, Highlawn Library, New Utrecht Library.
15 listings are indoors, such as Ryder Library, Champions Martial Arts 20th Avenue, Highlawn Library.