Top Things to Do in Brooklyn With Kids

From Bayridge to Bushwick, Park Slope to Prospect Heights, Brooklyn is home to some of the best attractions, restaurants, and parks in New York City. In recent years it has surged in popularity which means there is even more to do in the “Thorough Borough” than ever before. Here are 12 great things to do in Brooklyn for you and your family.

1. Jane’s Carousel is located in DUMBO and has been in existence since 1922. It is open year-round and tickets cost $2. This beautiful piece of history is one of Brooklyn’s treasures 
2. The New York Transit Museum was founded in 1976 and is “dedicated to telling and preserving the stories of mass transportation.” The museum is located in an authentic 1936 subway station in Downtown Brooklyn. It is home to a rotating selection of twenty vintage subway and elevated cars dating back to 1907.
3. Coney Island is known for its amusements and for its famous boardwalk. While most of the fun is to be had in the warmer months, events do happen all year long and the Coney Island Museum stays open through out the winter, too.
4. Ample Hills Ice Cream shop opened its doors in 2011 and has quickly become a Brooklyn staple. With flavors such as, “Salted Crack Caramel, Ooey Gooey Butter Cake, The Munchies and Snap Mallow Pop!,” it’s not hard to see why! It now has two locations in Prospect Heights and Gowanus.
5. The Prospect Park Zoo, located inside Prospect Park is home to animals such as sea lions, alpacas, deer, frogs, and a mini horse. Highlights include the Barn and Garden experience, which allows visitors to feed the animals.
6. Prospect Park is also home to the Prospect Park Carousel which features 53 carved animals and is wheelchair-accessible.
7. Another amazing component of Prospect Park is the Imagination Playground. The playground stays true to its name by providing kids with a large bronze dragon in which water flows out of, animal cut outs, stages and a sculpture of Ezra Jack Keat’s character, Peter and his dog.
8. Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co. is one of my favorite Brooklyn locales. The shop includes everything one needs to become a superhero including spy kits, capes, and masks. But the true gem is it’s secret door that opens to reveal 826NYC, a writing program for children which includes after school classes and workshops.
9. Brooklyn Bowl is a great place to gather the family and knock down a few pins. Located in Williamsburg, this bowling alley hosts concerts and has food provided by Blue Ribbon. It hosts family hours on the weekends from 11am-5pm on Saturday and 11am-6pm on Sunday.
10. During the summer months McCarren Park is packed with families. Between the outdoor pool and the SummerScreen events, this is the place to be!
11. BAM Kids at the Brooklyn Academy of Music provides kids and families an opportunity to experience concerts, workshops, movies, and live performances. The annual BAM Kids Film Festival happens in February and past concerts include JoJo and the Pinecones and The Cybertronic Spree.
12. The Atlantic Antic festival happens annually and is home to New York City’s largest street fair. Festivities include food, shopping performances, crafts, art and proceeds go toward supporting the Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation
13. Smorgasburg launched in 2011 and has provided a foodie-heaven on the weekends in Williamsburg (Saturdays) and Prospect Park (Sundays). Over 100 vendors gather and provide visitors with a plethora of food choices.

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