Highlights for families this week: A free exhibit about Jay-Z’s life, Balloontopia Beach, the free balloon pop-up experience at City Point extended by popular demand, kids music and story times in the park and the return of the DUMBO Family Games.
Book of HOV Jay-Z’s life | Central Library Grand Army Plaza | Daily
The Book of HOV is a 40,000-square-foot exhibit at the Brooklyn Public Library Central about Jay-Z’s professional life with the front of the building wrapped with his lyrics, a Jazz Grant-crafted mural in the building’s atrium and six “zones” dedicated to the music icon’s career and legacy. It presents thousands of archived objects, including original recording masters, never-before-seen photos, iconic stage wear, prestigious awards and recognitions, as well as videos and artifacts from every facet on JAY-Z’s life. The exhibition follows library hours of operation MON–THURS 9AM–8PM, FRI–SAT 9AM–6PM and SUN 1PM–5PM. Find out more here.
Music in the Groove | Fort Greene Park | Wednesday 7/19
Have fun at our summer concert series for all ages! Music In The Grove is an upbeat musical concert that brings parents and children of all ages together with live and in-person music! Bring a blanket and enjoy the music. Performances are free and open to children of all ages and caretakers. Wednesday from 10 am to 11 am.
Storytime in the Park | Cadman Plaza Park | Wednesday 7/19
Free storytime from 10.30 to 11 am with the Brooklyn Heights Library at Cadman Plaza Park.
Nature Storytime | Education Center Brooklyn Bridge Park | Thursday 7/20
Nature Storytime at the Environmental Education Center held at 3 pm on the third Thursday of every month (during Open Hours). Librarians from Brooklyn Public Library Adams Street location lead for an exciting and engaging storytime session, along with singing and rhymes. Each month they select a book to pair with the Education Center’s monthly nature theme. Stick around after to check out all the animals and activities in the room during Open Hours! Storytime is typically about a half hour long. Walk-ups only.
Storytime in the Park | Fort Greene Park | Thursday 7/20
Sing, read, and play with librarians from Brooklyn Public Library this Summer! Have fun hearing great picture books read aloud and playing with other children every Thursday at Fort Greene Park, from June – August from 4 to 4.45 pm.
Community Meet-Up | Cobble Hill Park | Thursday 7/20
Winter social community gathering in Cobble Hill Park on Thursday from 6 to 8 pm with live kids concert.
RRR Outdoor Movie | Fort Greene Park | Thursday 7/20
Thursday, July 20th 6 – 10 pm, Fort Greene Park South Portland Avenue Brooklyn. A tale of two legendary revolutionaries and their journey far away from home. After their journey they return home to start fighting back against British colonialists in the 1920s. PG13–Some Material May Be Inappropriate for Children Under 13. Find out more here.
Super Maria Bros Movie under the stars| Commodore Barry Park | Thursday 7/20
Free outdoor movie screening at the lawn area at Commodore Barry Park 8.30 – 10 pm.
Balloontopia Beach | City Point | Saturday 7/22 – Sunday 7/23
Balloontopia: Surf’s Poppin in DWTN BKLYN! Balloon Bubble House, Balloon Sea & Beach World, Balloon Beach Games, Gigantic Balloon Octopus and #SELFIEMOMENTS happening at City Point on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm. BALLOONTOPIA is New York City’s first Balloon Pop-Up Experience! Brooklyn Bridge Parents and City Point have partnered up to bring back the summer edition of this playground of ginormous balloon art & immersive balloon experiences. Balloontopia Beach is free and fun for all ages! RSVP here.
DUMBO Family Games | Washington Street DUMBO | Sundays starting 7/23
Enjoy our epic Lego table, plus building blocks, arts & crafts, Corn hole, Connect Four, arts & crafts, balloon twisting by Leaf Medical & Dental and more on car-free Washington Street on Sundays from 11 am to 1 pm (weather permitting). Curated by the DUMBO BID x Brooklyn Bridge Parents and supported by Leaf Medical & Dental in DUMBO. No need to RSVP, just show up.
Basketball clinics | Pier 2 | Tuesdays
Recommended for ages 7-17, join Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy for 2 hour basketball clinics led by KING Hoops. Learn basketball basics as head coaches lead participants through drills and games. Clinics run on Tuesdays from May 30 through July 25 at Pier 2. Clinics for ages 7 to 12 will be from 4 to 5 pm, while clinics for ages 13 to 17 will be from 5 to 6 pm. Advanced registration and waivers are required, although walk-up registrations can be accommodated as space allows. Registration will open at this link every Tuesday at 10 am for class the following week.
Kayaking | Pier 4 | Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays & Sundays
Free family-friendly kayaking is offered throughout the summer on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, and Saturday and Sunday afternoons through September in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Find out more here.
Open Streets | Montague Street | Saturdays
Tip toe through Montague Street Blooms, a 6-foot flower pop up park, and enjoy the magical public space, practice and learn to score goals, dribble, and zigzag from the pros at Super Soccer Stars, use your imagination to play with New York Society of Play. After you’ve worked up an appetite, visit Mad for Chicken, 80 Montague Street, where kids eat free from 12-5pm.
Storytime | Barnes and Noble in Cobble Hill | Saturdays
Weekly story time on Saturdays at 11 am for kids ages 2 to 8 is back at the new Barnes & Noble location on Atlantic Avenue in Cobble Hill.
