18 places and programs for kids in and around Jamaica, Queens (7 free): playgrounds, sports, STEM. Includes Queens Central Library and Jamaica YMCA Swim Lessons.
Little ones and school-age kids in Jamaica can browse the picture-book and early-reader shelves at Queens Central Library, borrow games and use the computers after school. The weekly lineup has recently included bilingual storytimes, STEM activities, crafts and video game hours. Its Children's Library Discovery Center mixes a kids' library with hands-on science and math exhibits, and the building opens on Sundays.
The Jamaica YMCA in Jamaica 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.
Inside Queens Public Library's central branch, middle and high schoolers take robotics and technical workshops and use design and fabrication equipment with guidance from STEM staff. Access is free with an NYC FIRST membership.
Kids at this community Y take part in swim classes, youth sports, teen programs, and holiday or school-break activities in a shared family setting. 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 is near downtown Jamaica.
Howard Von Dohlen Playground gives Jamaica families a free spot to play, with structures sized for young children. 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.
Rufus King Park Playground is a NYC Parks play area in Jamaica, 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.
A community arts center in downtown Jamaica with free galleries and youth classes in visual art, music, dance and theater. JCAL also produces the Queens International Children's Festival.
The Jamaica home of Rufus King, a signer of the Constitution and early opponent of slavery, set inside Rufus King Park. Hourly tours and interactive programs introduce kids to the founding era.
Children learn karate and taekwondo basics here, working on kicks, forms and self-control in instructor-led classes. The school also runs an after-school program and full-day summer camp for kids.
Kids build LEGO-based models to learn engineering principles, basic programming and robotics in a hands-on STEAM setting. The Jamaica franchise runs after-school programs, camps, field trips, workshops and birthday parties.
A Jamaica, Queens dance school where kids train in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip hop, pointe, African dance and African drum. It also runs the Kerri Edge Children's Dance Ensemble and workshops with visiting pros.
A southeast Queens arts center offering affordable classes in theater, dance, music and visual art, with performances at the nearby Jamaica Performing Arts Center. It also organizes the Queens International Children's Festival.
Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning runs 12-week youth music classes, starting with a game-based music and movement class that introduces 4- to 6-year-olds to the piano. Older kids move into piano classes grouped for ages 7-11 and 12-15.
A festival organized by JCAL that brings international children's theater, dance and music performances to southeast Queens. It's a chance for families to see global performers close to home.
Kids head to Harvard Playground at 179th Pl between 90th Ave and Jamaica Ave to climb, explore and run around on equipment built for children. 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.
Detective Keith L. Williams Park in Jamaica has a mid-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.
Marconi Park Playground gives Jamaica families a free spot to play, with structures sized for young children. Summer brings the spray showers, so pack a towel and a change of clothes.
LittleGotham lists 18 places and programs for kids in Jamaica, Queens. The largest groups are 4 playgrounds, 2 sports programs, 2 STEM programs.
Yes. 7 of 18 are free to attend, including Queens Central Library, NYC FIRST STEM Center @ QPL Jamaica Central, Howard Von Dohlen Playground.
13 listings are indoors, such as Queens Central Library, Jamaica YMCA Swim Lessons, NYC FIRST STEM Center @ QPL Jamaica Central.