25 places and programs for kids in and around Coney Island, Brooklyn (6 free): zoos, sports, play spaces. Includes New York Aquarium and Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park.
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.
Coney Island's big seaside amusement park, home to the landmark Cyclone wooden coaster alongside plenty of gentler rides for small kids such as a kiddie coaster, carousels and bumper cars. Families can also play arcade games and midway games along the boardwalk.
A family-run Coney Island park built around the century-old Wonder Wheel, with a large dedicated kiddie section of small-scale rides for young children. Older kids can try the Phoenix coaster, the Spook-a-Rama dark ride and other thrill rides.
Caregiver-and-child classes at the New York Aquarium that introduce toddlers and preschoolers to sea creatures through songs, stories, crafts and exhibit visits.
Sleepover programs at the New York Aquarium where families spend the evening exploring exhibits after hours and bed down near the animals.
The aquarium's shark building, where families walk past huge tanks of sand tiger sharks, rays, cuttlefish and other marine life from the waters off New York and beyond.
Coney Island fencing academy known for its epee program, teaching students from age 5 through group classes, private lessons, after-school programs and camps. Beginners start with a Begin Fencing package.
A free exhibit space at Deno's Wonder Wheel Park showing vintage photos, signs and artifacts from Coney Island's amusement history. An easy stop between rides on a summer weekend.
The children's area at Coney Island Library stocks board books, picture books and chapter books for Coney Island kids, with computers and table space for after-school reading and homework. Programs for young children and school-age kids have included Saturday Storytime, Story Play, Kids Movies and teen hip hop & tech. The rebuilt branch is bright and modern and even houses a small TV studio.
Dynamo Soccer Club's Coney Island training site at Asser Levy Park, where the youngest players (intro through U5) and U6-U8 kids practice on weekday evenings. The club serves ages 3-18 with developmental and academy programs.
An open-air amphitheater show at the New York Aquarium where sea lions demonstrate natural behaviors with their trainers while kids cheer from the stands.
Indoor NYC Parks ice rink by the Coney Island boardwalk offering weekend public skating sessions. Beginners can use rental skate-assist sleds.
A nonprofit arts organization on Surf Avenue presents a classic ten-in-one style circus sideshow with performers like sword swallowers, fire eaters and contortionists. Shows run through the afternoon on summer weekends and some weekdays, a short walk from the boardwalk.
A small second-floor museum above the Coney Island boardwalk area packed with vintage amusement-park memorabilia, old postcards and a model of the original Luna Park. A cheap, quirky stop during a beach or amusement-park day.
The Coney Island YMCA in Coney Island 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.
Asser Levy Playground offers a dedicated children's area in Asser Levy Park near Surf Ave & W. 5th St, where kids can climb and play on structures made for them. It is in Asser Levy Park near the Coney Island boardwalk, so it can round out a beach or aquarium day. Ground-level activities and transfer platforms make much of the play area reachable for children with mobility needs.
This branch serves local families with youth enrichment, swim instruction, sports leagues, and seasonal camps, giving kids a regular place to play and meet peers. 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. It serves families near the Coney Island waterfront.
Indoor tennis club offering junior group classes and private lessons from preschool age through high-school competitors.
A Coney Island water-sports camp where kids learn kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, surfing, fishing and more with certified instructors and licensed captains. The focus is on water safety, teamwork and fun.
A NYCHA community center where a city-funded Cornerstone program run by NIA Community Services Network offers school-age kids free after-school activities, homework help, sports, and arts. Summer and school-break programming is also offered for neighborhood youth.
A famous ocean beach and boardwalk next to Luna Park, the Cyclone and the New York Aquarium. Kids can combine sand and waves with rides, the aquarium and boardwalk treats.
A Coney Island indoor play space with a custom slide, climbing platform and rock wall, tunnels and soft-play pieces. Kids can also shoot hoops on a basketball arcade, play air hockey and use ride-on and Montessori toys; a cafe and party bookings are in the works.
Kaiser Playground offers a dedicated children's area inside Kaiser Park, where kids can climb and play on structures made for them. On hot summer days the spray showers switch on, and kids run through the water to cool off. It is part of Kaiser Park, so families can follow playtime with a walk or picnic elsewhere in the park.
LittleGotham lists 25 places and programs for kids in Coney Island, Brooklyn. The largest groups are 6 zoos and aquarium spots, 6 sports programs, 5 play spaces.
Yes. 6 of 25 are free to attend, including Asser Levy Playground, Coney Island History Project Exhibit Center, Coney Island Library.
15 listings are indoors, such as New York Aquarium Sharks & Ocean Wonders, New York Aquarium Early Childhood Programs, New York Aquarium Overnights.