Yup. You read that right. There are plenty of free activities for kids in Brooklyn. As a Park Slope orthodontist, I know all about the expense of enjoying the city. Keeping little ones entertained can quickly put a strain on your budget. Fresh Orthodontics feels your pain, so we’ve done some digging to uncover 20 awesome free places to take your children in Brooklyn.
2. Harmony Playground at the Prospect Park Bandshell – Musically inclined kids (well let’s face it, even adults) will love the music-themed Harmony Playground. Designed to celebrate the tradition of music and entertainment at the Prospect Park Bandshell, the large playground features a massive harp, trumpet that spouts water in the summer, an enormous xylophone, playable music notes and a multitude of areas for younger and older kids including a state-of-the-art jungle gym.
3. Free Summer Movies at NYC Parks – Sponsored by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation – Times and Locations Vary – The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation holds free movie screenings at various parks around the city. Scope out the schedule here. All sorts of films in pretty much every genre are shown ranging from those for grown-ups to kids’ flicks. Grab a blanket, bring some snacks and enjoy a movie under the stars.
5. UrbanGlass – 647 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY – Agnes Varis Art Center Open Free to the Public and Tours of the UrbanGlass Studios Free on Saturdays at 1 p.m. – This glass-working facility and gallery for glass art has studios, classes, a shop and exhibitions. Check out everything from incredible stained glass to sculptural objects.
6. Pop-Up Audubon – Various Natural Areas in Prospect Park from April through December – This free Brooklyn nature education program explores a different area of Prospect Park each month with topics ranging from the freshwater ecosystems to the bird species. Raise a little naturalist! You can find the schedule here.
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7. Volunteer with St. John’s Bread & Life – 795 Lexington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY – Show your children (probably best for older kids or teens) the power of giving back and help combat hunger by volunteering together at St. John’s Bread & Life. The organization is in need of volunteers in its soup kitchen, food pantry, resource center and mobile soup kitchen.
9. First Discovery for Toddlers at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden – Tuesdays 1:30 to 3 p.m. in July and August – Free with Garden Admission, which is Free Tuesdays and Always Free for Children Under 12 – Toddlers ages two to four (and their caregivers) can get their hands dirty at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Activities include planting seeds, reading stories and making nature crafts at the various activity stations.
10. Gymboree – 365 4th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY – First Class Free – What kid doesn’t love Gymboree? While you have to pay for a membership, the first class is always free. Little ones ages birth to five can take part in tons of fun activities that are meant to help them develop cognitive, physical and social skills.
12. SummerStage Kids – Various Parks in NYC and Brooklyn – Times and Locations Vary; June – August – Sponsored by the City Parks Foundation, this program offers concerts and performances for kids at different parks around the city. It’s not solely limited to Brooklyn; it’s one of the best free family activities in NYC as it encompasses all five boroughs. Kids will learn about local, national and international arts and cultures. See the schedule here.
13. Brooklyn Public Library Central Branch – 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, NY – The Brooklyn Public Library is a treasure trove of free events for kids, teens and families in Brooklyn. From Toddler Time with reading, singing and playing to Gaming for Teens, the clubs and activities are diverse and perfect for all ages. Be sure to browse the schedule.
15. Baby Breakfast Playdates at Habana Outpost – 757 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY – Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Baby Breakfast, presented by Sean Meenan, Habana Works and My Brooklyn Baby, is the perfect opportunity to meet other parents and watch your toddler socialize. The Habana Outpost’s courtyard is turned into a magical toddler playland with toys, water tables and supervised arts and crafts projects. The event is for children ages four and under and their caregivers.
16. Free Family Art Days with Spellbound Theatre – Various Locations – Each month, Spellbound Theatre hosts Family Art Days in partnership with local businesses and community centers. Explore a variety of art forms and enjoy crafts, songs, stories and creative play that centers around a theme. Here’s the schedule.
18. Pier Kids at Brooklyn Bridge Park – 334 Furman Street, Brooklyn, NY – Eight Week Series Running June through August – The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy has an eight week children’s series that encompasses everything from culture to science to literature. The activities vary each week and include music, puppets, educational events, arts and crafts, a pop-up reading room and more. The schedule is available here.
19. Children’s Story Time at Barnes & Noble – 267 7th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY – Various Days and Times – If you’re looking for free kids’ activities in Park Slope, stay on top of the Barnes & Noble calendar. This branch of the book retailer holds occasional story times and author events for kids of all ages.
20. Puppetry Arts – Various Events at Brooklyn Locations – Puppetry Arts is a unique organization that teaches kids valuable lessons through the art of puppetry. The group holds festivals around Brooklyn that are free to families and include puppet shows, games, arts and crafts and more. Check out the schedule here. Or you can get your kids involved long-term, as there is a free youth development program for students aged 10–18 that is meant to empower them to get involved in their community. Having fun while becoming better citizens? Sounds like a win-win.
21. Read in the Story Garden – Park Slope Library, 431 6th Avenue – The Library has a lot of great free Park Slope activities for kids especially now that the Story Garden is open. The Story Garden is an awesome public space overlooking 9th street that includes a storytelling amphitheater, little paths, community gardening space and lots of seating. Let the little ones check out a book and enjoy it in the beautiful garden or stay tuned for outdoor summer fun by taking a look at the Library’s calendar of events.
22. Bargemusic Concerts – Fulton Ferry Landing near the Brooklyn Bridge, 1 Water Street – Walk across the gangplank onto a renovated coffee barge moored under the Brooklyn Bridge for a unique musical experience. Bargemusic offers free family concerts with its Music in Motion series on Saturdays at 4 p.m. through August 26. The one-hour performances also include a Q&A session with the musicians. Doors open 15 minutes before the concert. There’s no reserved seating.
23. Environmental Education Center – Main Street Section of Brooklyn Bride Park, 99 Plymouth Street – The Brooklyn Bride Park Conservancy’s Environmental Education Center at 99 Plymouth is a stunning building offering families the opportunity to learn about the park’s history, ecology, and sustainable design. You’ll find all sorts of interactive elements like the East River Aquarium, the Discovery Station, which features a 10’ scale model of Brooklyn Bride Park and different hands-on activities. Visitors can drop in for free on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 to 5 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. and explore the exhibits and stations.
24. Volunteer with It’s My Park – Various Parks – The It’s My Park series runs throughout the summer. Spearheaded by the City Parks Foundation and local groups, the volunteer program involves spending a few hours beautifying neighborhood parks and playgrounds with different projects like cleaning up and painting. It’s a great way to show children the power of giving back and keeping their environment and green spaces in good shape. You can see the full schedule here. Grace Playground (June 8), Raymond Bush Playground (June 10, 17 and 24), Cypress Hills Playground (June 17), Commodore Barry Park (June 17), Macri Triangle (June 17) and Leif Ericson Park (June 24) are all on the agenda.
25. A Summer Movie Under the Stars – Long Meadow North, Prospect Park, 70 West Drive – In honor of Prospect Park’s 150th anniversary, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, the Prospect Park Alliance and Nitehawk Cinema are partnering up to put on a series of free outdoor movies in Brooklyn on the Park’s Long Meadow. The events will feature live musical entertainment and then a family-friendly film related to park themes like the Prospect Park Zoo and little league baseball. Bring a blanket for an evening of fun. Entertainment starts at 7 p.m. and the movies will begin after sundown. The schedule is as follows:
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