Skip to main content

Free kid-friendly events this week in Brooklyn (1/5-1/11)

Kick off the new year with free family-friendly fun all across Brooklyn! Recycle your Christmas trees at Mulchfest Chipping Weekend in local parks and take home your own bag of mulch, celebrate Three Kings Day in Prospect Lefferts Gardens and Williamsburg, and catch a free kids concert by Hopalong Andrew at Time Out Market in DUMBO! Plus, free ice skating sessions at Roebling Rink in Brooklyn Bridge Park and plenty of indoor activities, from the Red Hook Pinball Museum to story times and programs for kids of all ages at Brooklyn Public Library.

Our new Events Calendar is here featuring convenient filters by category, location, ages, dates and more to make your Brooklyn social life as fun and meaningful as possible.

Have you checked out CONNECT – where families find what matters? Whether you are looking for a preschool, face painter, speech therapist, writing tutor, camp, meal delivery service, child therapist or piano teacher, CONNECT is the one-stop solution for parents, easy to navigate and curated!

MONDAY

Mulchfest | Citywide

Drop-off December 26, 2025January 11, 2026 (Chipping Weekend Saturday, January 10 & Sunday, January 11)

During Mulchfest, you can drop-off your tree to be recycled into mulch! Drop-offs will be accepted in parks across Brooklyn from December 26, 2025January 11, 2026, and save the date for Chipping Weekend Saturday, January 10 & Sunday, January 11, 10am-2pm each day. Drop-off locations include Brooklyn Bridge Park, Cobble Hill Park, Fort Greene Park, Prospect Park, Coffey Park, Sunset Park, Owl’s Head Park, Domino Park, McCarren Park, McGolrick Park, and beyond. To see all locations, click here.

Limited Free Tickets for Roebling Rink | Brooklyn Bridge Park

Limited FREE tickets for local residents (with valid NYC ID) on a first-come, first-served basis | Mondays–Thursdays | 2-4pm, 4:30-6:30pm, 7-9pm

Brooklyn Bridge Park’s ice skating rink has returned to Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, offering skating beneath the Brooklyn Bridge. NYC local residents can claim limited quantity of free tickets in-person offered during sessions one, two, and three on Mondays-Thursdays (Session 1: 2-4pm, Session 2: 4:30-6:30pm, Session 3: 7-9pm). Tickets are issued on a first-come, first-serve walk-up basis, with valid ID to show residency.

TUESDAY

Free Music Show with Hopalong Andrew at Whole Foods | Gowanus

Tuesdays | 10am

Hopalong Andrew’s weekly shows at Whole Foods are FREE! Make sure to double check in his Instagram the morning of to make sure class has not been cancelled for any reason.

Limited Free Tickets for Roebling Rink | Brooklyn Bridge Park

Limited FREE tickets for local residents (with valid NYC ID) on a first-come, first-served basis | Mondays–Thursdays | 2-4pm, 4:30-6:30pm, 7-9pm

Brooklyn Bridge Park’s ice skating rink has returned to Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, offering skating beneath the Brooklyn Bridge. NYC local residents can claim limited quantity of free tickets in-person offered during sessions one, two, and three on Mondays-Thursdays (Session 1: 2-4pm, Session 2: 4:30-6:30pm, Session 3: 7-9pm). Tickets are issued on a first-come, first-serve walk-up basis, with valid ID to show residency.

Three Kings Day Celebration at Moore Street Market | East Williamsburg

Celebrate Three Kings Day at Moore Street Market! There will be hot chocolate, gifts, and arts and crafts!

Kwenda’s Winter Festival | Prospect Lefferts Gardens

Celebrate Three Kings Day with free toys, books, arts & crafts, clothing & treats for girls ages 3–6.

Grown-Up and Me Yoga at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights

Tuesday, January 6 | 3:30-4:30pm | Ages 2-7

Join us for a meditative Grown-Up and Me Yoga class! Both kids and grown-ups alike will enjoy this calming yoga class led by a professional yoga teacher.

Bedtime Stories at Sunset Park Library | Sunset Park

Tuesday, January 6 | 4:00-4:30pm | Ages 0-8

At Sunset Park Library, come in your pajamas and enjoy an evening storytime of soothing books and songs for ages 0 to 8 years.

Scratch Coding for Kids at Crown Heights Library | Prospect Lefferts Gardens

Tuesday, January 6 | 4-5pm

Develop coding skills while making animations, games, and other projects in Scratch! No previous coding experience required, but must be willing to learn!

New Mom Meet Up at Fontainhas | DUMBO

Tuesdays | 4:30-6:00pm

Bring your baby to Fontainhas for some cozy chai and hangs with other new moms. Hosted every week by the new mom pop-up POST.

WEDNESDAY

Limited Free Tickets for Roebling Rink | Brooklyn Bridge Park

Limited FREE tickets for local residents (with valid NYC ID) on a first-come, first-served basis | Mondays–Thursdays | 2-4pm, 4:30-6:30pm, 7-9pm

Brooklyn Bridge Park’s ice skating rink has returned to Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, offering skating beneath the Brooklyn Bridge. NYC local residents can claim limited quantity of free tickets in-person offered during sessions one, two, and three on Mondays-Thursdays (Session 1: 2-4pm, Session 2: 4:30-6:30pm, Session 3: 7-9pm). Tickets are issued on a first-come, first-serve walk-up basis, with valid ID to show residency.

Free Admission at New York Aquarium | Coney Island

Wednesdays | 3-6pm | Reserve tickets here; free tickets are made available at 3pm the Monday before

Take advantage of free admission hours at the New York Aquarium form 3-6pm on Wednesdays. Note that advance timed tickets are required (max of 4 per group); the Wednesday Afternoon Ticket Store will open on Monday at 3:00 pm for that Wednesday’s reservations.

Teen Time: Mosaic Tile Coasters at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights

Wednesday, January 7 | 4-5pm

Beads and boards! Exploding Kittens, Uno, Jenga, and more! Snacks provided.

Free Winter Crafts with Creatively Wild: Watercolors & 3D Frames at Time Out Market | DUMBO

Wednesday, January 7 | 5:00-6:30 pm

Join us for a free family craft night with Creatively Wild Art Studio on the 5th Floor, where you’ll watercolor a NYC winter scene or paint a 3D picture frame. All materials are provided, and instructors will guide you in creating a winter masterpiece to take home.

THURSDAY

Limited Free Tickets for Roebling Rink | Brooklyn Bridge Park

Limited FREE tickets for local residents (with valid NYC ID) on a first-come, first-served basis | Mondays–Thursdays | 2-4pm, 4:30-6:30pm, 7-9pm

Brooklyn Bridge Park’s ice skating rink has returned to Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, offering skating beneath the Brooklyn Bridge. NYC local residents can claim limited quantity of free tickets in-person offered during sessions one, two, and three on Mondays-Thursdays (Session 1: 2-4pm, Session 2: 4:30-6:30pm, Session 3: 7-9pm). Tickets are issued on a first-come, first-serve walk-up basis, with valid ID to show residency.

Community Access Thursdays at Brooklyn Children’s Museum | Crown Heights

Thursdays | 2-5pm | Reserve here

Play at Brooklyn Children’s Museum for FREE during Community Access Thursdays, every Thursday afternoon from 2-5pm!

Open Hours at Environmental Education Center | Brooklyn Bridge Park

Thursdays | 3-5pm

Visit the Environmental Education Center for Open Hours. Open Hours offer the opportunity for self-led investigation with guidance by expert educators to reveal the hidden stories found within and around Brooklyn Bridge Park. Explore our critter and fish tanks, a 10′ model of the Park, and enjoy custom arts, crafts, and reading materials which rotate on a monthly basis.

Yoga Explorers Free Demo Classes at NY Preschool & Kids Club | Park Slope-Gowanus

Thursday, January 8 | 3:15-4:00pm | Ages 3-5

Get moving or grooving at a FREE Yoga Explorers class for ages 3-5! Taught by certified yoga teachers, Yoga Explorers introduces children to mindful movement practices that build body awareness, emotional regulation, and inner calm.

After School Movie: Elemental at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights

Thursday, January 8 | 3:30-5:00pm | Ages 5+

After School Movie at Brooklyn Heights Library! This week’s movie: “Elemental” (2023). PG. Run time: 1 hour and 41 minutes. No registration required; attendance limited by room capacity.

Yoga Explorers Free Demo Classes at NY Preschool & Kids Club | Cobble Hill

Thursday, January 8 | 4:30-5:15pm | Ages 3-5

Get moving or grooving at a FREE Yoga Explorers class for ages 3-5! Taught by certified yoga teachers, Yoga Explorers introduces children to mindful movement practices that build body awareness, emotional regulation, and inner calm.

Story Time at Fontainhas | DUMBO

Thursdays | 4:30-5:30pm

Come to Fontainhas every Thursday at 4:30pm for a free story time and singing! Open to all. Bring your little ones for a fun story, enjoy a glass of chai or wine, and meet other parents!

Haitian Independence Day Celebration at Brooklyn Borough Hall | Downtown Brooklyn

Thursday, January 8 | 5:30-8:30 pm

Join us to celebrate Haitian Independence Day at Brooklyn Borough Hall!

Brooklyn Bridge Park x Sofar Sounds: January Concerts at Roebling Rink | DUMBO

Thursdays (January 8–29)  | 7-9pm

Join for Sofar Sounds pop-up concerts at Roebeling Rink on Thursday evenings, January 8 through January 29. If you’re just looking to enjoy the performance, tickets are free; if you’d like to skate, tickets are $16 for a 60-minute session on the ice. The performance starts at 7pm, offering two surprise artists each evening, and concluding by 9pm.

FRIDAY

Stomp, Clap, and Sing with Dan Saks of Noodle Loaf at Red Hook Interim Library | Red Hook

Friday, January 9 | 11:00-11:45am

Dan Saks, the award-winning musician, children’s book author, and host of the popular music education podcast for kids Noodle Loaf, will lead kids and their grown-ups in singing, moving, rhyming, and goofing. Come ready to rock with Dan as he performs Noodle Loaf hits.

Limited Free Tickets for Roebling Rink | Brooklyn Bridge Park

Limited FREE tickets for local residents (with valid NYC ID) on a first-come, first-served basis | Fridays | 12:30-2:30, 3-5pm, 5:30-7:30pm

Brooklyn Bridge Park’s ice skating rink has returned to Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, offering skating beneath the Brooklyn Bridge. NYC local residents can claim limited quantity of free tickets in-person offered during sessions two, three, four on Fridays. (Session 2: 12:30-2:30pm, Session 3: 3-5pm, Session 4: 5:30-7:30pm). Tickets are issued on a first-come, first-serve walk-up basis, with valid ID to show residency. Note: Session 1 on Fridays (10am-12pm) is reserved for field trips. If not booked, will be opened for general public purchase.

Red Hook Pinball Museum | Red Hook

Fridays | 1-10pm

With a new location at 362 Van Brunt Street, the Red Hook Pinball Museum is now open for free play (with donations accepted) every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, from 1-10pm! It’s NYC’s only vintage pinball museum, with games from 1871-1971, and you can play on the first pinball machine ever made!

Open Hours at the Environmental Education Center | Brooklyn Bridge Park

Fridays | 3-5pm

Visit the Environmental Education Center for Open Hours. Open Hours offer the opportunity for self-led investigation with guidance by expert educators to reveal the hidden stories found within and around Brooklyn Bridge Park. Explore our critter and fish tanks, a 10′ model of the Park, and enjoy custom arts, crafts, and reading materials which rotate on a monthly basis.

Graphic Novel Club at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights

Friday, January 9 | 3:30-4:30 pm

Do you love reading graphic novels? Join us weekly to chat about your favorite graphic novels, meet other readers, and have some snacks! Bring your favorite book if you’d like to start up the discussion.

Movies @ the Library: Dog Man at Park Slope Library | Park Slope

Friday, January 9 | 3:30-5:30 pm

Welcome to the Park Slope Library! Come and join us as we watch the first movie in 2026: Dog Man! Rated PG, 93 minute runtime. All ages welcome!

Teen Reset: Therapy Dog at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights

Friday, January 9 | 4-5pm | Ages 13-18

If you are in between the ages of 13 and 18, come join us in the Teen Game Room for Sandy the Therapy Dog! Come pet Sandy and give him a snack! Snacks, water and giveaways are included.

Music Explorers Free Demo Classes at NY Preschool & Kids Club | Park Slope-Gowanus

Friday, January 9 | 4:30-5:15pm | Ages 3-5

Get moving or grooving at a FREE Music Explorers class for ages 3-5! An exciting journey of sound, rhythm, and creative expression, Music Explorers uses playful musical activities to develop foundational music skills while building confidence, social connections, and cognitive abilities.

Music Explorers Free Demo Classes at NY Preschool & Kids Club | Cobble Hill

Friday, January 9 | 4:30-5:15pm | Ages 3-5

Get moving or grooving at a FREE Music Explorers class for ages 3-5! An exciting journey of sound, rhythm, and creative expression, Music Explorers uses playful musical activities to develop foundational music skills while building confidence, social connections, and cognitive abilities.

Central Youth Wing Anime Art Contest Celebration at Central Library | Prospect Heights

Friday, January 9 | 6:15-8:00 pm | Registration is not required but encouraged | Ages 13-18

Join us for an after-hours gallery opening to celebrate the Youth Wing’s Anime Art Contest! We’ll celebrate the artists and their work, do some trivia, and make a button or two!

SATURDAY

Yoga Explorers Free Demo Classes at NY Preschool & Kids Club | Brooklyn Heights

Saturday, January 10 | 9:00-9:45am | Ages 3-5

Get moving or grooving at a FREE Yoga Explorers class for ages 3-5! Taught by certified yoga teachers, Yoga Explorers introduces children to mindful movement practices that build body awareness, emotional regulation, and inner calm.

parkrun | Brooklyn Bridge Park

Saturdays | 9am | Sign up here

parkrun is a free, worldwide, weekly event where people of all ages and abilities walk, jog, run, or volunteer in a 5k event on Saturday mornings–in Brooklyn, you can join every week in Brooklyn Bridge Park! Families register online and receive a barcode which will record their time. All ages are welcome, and there is a coffee and catch-up after each run!

Introduction to Birdwatching Outings | Prospect Park

Saturdays | 10am-12pm | Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult

Every Saturday, join Prospect Park Alliance and a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club on an introductory walk to learn the basics of birding. All levels are welcome and walks will begin at the Prospect Park Audubon Center. No registration necessary. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring binoculars if you have them.

Weekend Nature Exploration | Prospect Park

Saturday, January 10 | 10am-1pm

Join Prospect Park Alliance for nature education programs on Saturdays and Sundays at the Prospect Park Audubon Center, the first urban Audubon Center in the nation.

  • Leaf Art | 10–12 pm | Have fun exploring the unique features of trees and their uniquely shaped leaves. Let your creativity flourish as you craft art inspired by nature.
  • Animal Encounter | 11 am–12 pm | Join Alliance Naturalists in learning more about the animals in the Audubon Center’s collection.
  • Nature Walk | 12–1 pm | Are you curious about how invasive insects, like the Spotted Lanternfly, prepare for winter? You’ll get hands-on experience in citizen science as we observe how insect and plant life prepare for seasonal changes.

Mulchfest Chipping Weekend | Citywide

Saturday, January 10 & Sunday, January 11 | 10am-2pm

Brooklynites can recycle their Christmas trees during Mulchfest Chipping Weekend, on Saturday, January 10 and Sunday, January 11. Attendees can take home a bag of mulch to use in their own gardens or yards, or to make a winter bed for local street trees! Locations include:

  • Pier 3 Plaza | Brooklyn Bridge Park
  • Fort Greene Park | Fort Greene
  • Park Circle at Parkside Avenue | Prospect Park
  • Third Street and Prospect Park West | Prospect Park
  • Domino Park | Williamsburg
  • McCarren Park | Williamsburg
  • McGolrick Park | Greenpoint
  • Maria Hernandez Park | Bushwick
  • Owl’s Head Park | Bay Ridge
  • Marine Park | Marine Park
  • More locations here!

Poke City Card Show at Boerum Hall | Williamsburg

Saturday, January 10 | 10am-3pm | $5/person, FREE for kids 12 and under

Join the Poke-City Card Show for an exciting day filled with trading, buying, and selling your favorite TCG (Trading Card Game) items! Enjoy an amazing selection of Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Lorcana, and many other popular TCGs. Meet up with your friends, network with top vendors, and discover some amazing finds!

Three Kings Day Celebration at El Puente | Williamsburg

Save the date for El Puente’s Three Kings Celebration, Ven A Casa: Aquí Es Donde La Gente Sueña.

Yoga Explorers Free Demo Classes at NY Preschool & Kids Club | DUMBO

Saturday, January 10 | 10:45-11:30am | Ages 3-5

Get moving or grooving at a FREE Yoga Explorers class for ages 3-5! Taught by certified yoga teachers, Yoga Explorers introduces children to mindful movement practices that build body awareness, emotional regulation, and inner calm.

Free Children’s Events at Dekalb Market Hall | Downtown Brooklyn

Saturdays | 11am-2pm

Every weekend, Dekalb Market Hall (downstairs at City Point) offers balloon animals, face painting, and more! Located in front of Osteria and Showroom Bakehouse.

Fiesta de Los Tres Reyes Magos at Our Lady of Perpetual Help | Sunset Park

Saturday, January 10 | 12-3pm | Ages 3-10 | Pre-registration required for children ages 3-10 | No registration required for adults

Join for a festive afternoon celebrating Three Kings Day. There will be live music and entertainment, delicious Rosca de Reyes, gifts for children ages 3-10, and a special visit from the Three Kings.

School’s Out Summer Camp & After-School Expo at PS 321 | Park Slope

Saturday, January 10 | 12-3pm

Get ready for summer and beyond! The PS 321 School’s Out Camp & After-School Expo is Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 12–3 PM at the Upper School (180 7th Ave). Discover an amazing lineup of summer camps and after-school programs tailored for your kids. This community event is open to everyone.

Open Hours at the Environmental Education Center | Brooklyn Bridge Park

Saturdays | 1-5pm

Visit the Environmental Education Center for Open Hours. Explore the critter and fish tanks, a 10′ model of the Park, and enjoy custom arts, crafts, and reading materials which rotate on a monthly basis.

Red Hook Pinball Museum | Red Hook

Saturdays | 1-10pm

With a new location at 362 Van Brunt Street, the Red Hook Pinball Museum is now open for free play (with donations accepted) every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, from 1-10pm! It’s NYC’s only vintage pinball museum, with games from 1871-1971, and you can play on the first pinball machine ever made!

SUNDAY

Free Kids Concert with Hopalong Andrew at Time Out Market | DUMBO

Sunday, January 11 | 10-11am | Ages 0-5

Calling all of our smallest Brooklyn friends! Macaroni KID Brooklyn NW has teamed up with Time Out Market New York to schedule more free concerts for toddlers and babies! Hopalong Andrew is the hardest-working cowboy musician in Brooklyn, traveling the children’s-entertainment circuit with the lasso-swinging performer.

Weekend Nature Exploration | Prospect Park

Sunday, January 11 | 10am-1pm

Join Prospect Park Alliance for nature education programs on Saturdays and Sundays at the Prospect Park Audubon Center, the first urban Audubon Center in the nation.

  • Leaf Art | 10–12 pm | Have fun exploring the unique features of trees and their uniquely shaped leaves. Let your creativity flourish as you craft art inspired by nature.
  • Animal Encounter | 11 am–12 pm | Join Alliance Naturalists in learning more about the animals in the Audubon Center’s collection.
  • Nature Walk | 12–1 pm | Are you curious about how invasive insects, like the Spotted Lanternfly, prepare for winter? You’ll get hands-on experience in citizen science as we observe how insect and plant life prepare for seasonal changes.

Mulchfest Chipping Weekend | Citywide

Saturday, January 10 & Sunday, January 11 | 10am-2pm

Brooklynites can recycle their Christmas trees during Mulchfest Chipping Weekend, on Saturday, January 10 and Sunday, January 11. Attendees can take home a bag of mulch to use in their own gardens or yards, or to make a winter bed for local street trees! Locations include:

  • Pier 3 Plaza | Brooklyn Bridge Park
  • Fort Greene Park | Fort Greene
  • Park Circle at Parkside Avenue | Prospect Park
  • Third Street and Prospect Park West | Prospect Park
  • Domino Park | Williamsburg
  • McCarren Park | Williamsburg
  • McGolrick Park | Greenpoint
  • Maria Hernandez Park | Bushwick
  • Owl’s Head Park | Bay Ridge
  • Marine Park | Marine Park
  • More locations here!

Free Children’s Events at Dekalb Market Hall | Downtown Brooklyn

Sundays | 11am-2pm

Every weekend, Dekalb Market Hall (downstairs at City Point) offers balloon animals, face painting, and more! Located in front of Osteria and Showroom Bakehouse.

The Fat Cats Youth Orchestra Open Workshop at ShapeShifter Lab | Park Slope

Sunday, January 11 | 11am-5pm

The Fat Cats Youth Orchestra Open Workshop and Rehearsals are weekly at ShapeShifter. The Fat Cats is a pre-professional youth orchestra composed of one big band and two small ensembles that perform Latin jazz and standard jazz pieces and showcase the finest young talent from across all NYC boroughs. Come enjoy an afternoon with the Fat Cats and have a cup of coffee or a drink!

Open Hours at the Environmental Education Center | Brooklyn Bridge Park

Sundays | 1-5pm

Starting this week, the Environmental Education Center will have Open Hours on Sundays from 1-5pm! Stop in to learn about the Park and local ecology, including a 10’ model of the Park, visit our tank critters include fish, turtles, and frogs, and enjoy rotating monthly themes with crafts and activities!

Red Hook Pinball Museum | Red Hook

Sundays | 1-10pm

With a new location at 362 Van Brunt Street, the Red Hook Pinball Museum is now open for free play (with donations accepted) every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, from 1-10pm! It’s NYC’s only vintage pinball museum, with games from 1871-1971, and you can play on the first pinball machine ever made!

Do you want all local parenting news in your inbox? Sign-up for our weekly newsletter now!

The Latest for Brooklyn Parents

Sign In

Register

Reset Password

Please enter your username or email address, you will receive a link to create a new password via email.

Questions? Feedback? Send us an email to connect@brooklynbridgeparents.com

List your business on CONNECT – the only platform for family services in New York. Q&A for service providers.
Top