The first full week of school comes with a big free weekend! Families can catch the vintage buses of the Transit Museum’s Bus Festival in Brooklyn Bridge Park, fifty life-size buffalo puppets marching through Brooklyn, the Carroll Park Fair in Carroll Gardens, a free canoe or kayak paddle in Greenpoint and Williamsburg, ROTFEST in Bushwick and more! Be sure not to miss Brooklyn Bridge Parents’ FAMChella on Fifth in Bay Ridge on Saturday afternoon. Note: Yom Kippur begins at sundown on Sunday, September 20, and public schools are closed Monday, September 21 — see our Jewish High Holiday events for Brooklyn families and our day camps for when public schools are closed.
ALL WEEK
Free stroller walks | All week, borough-wide
Every week | Mornings, days vary | Prospect Park, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn Bridge Park and more | Free | Babies and toddlers in strollers
Brooklyn’s free stroller groups walk every week of the year: Mommy & Me walks Sundays at 10am in Prospect Park, Stroller Mami Walk Mondays at 10am in a rotating neighborhood, the Cobble Hill Walking Club on weekday mornings at Cobble Hill Park, Prospect Park Stroller Walks Thursdays at 10am from the Audubon Center (through October), and the free 5K parkrun Saturdays at 8am in Brooklyn Bridge Park, where kids seven and up can join the run. Dads have their own stroll and run clubs too — the full roundup lives in our stroller groups guide.
Nature Exploration: Tree Appreciation Month | Prospect Park
Thursday and Friday, September 17–18, 10am–3pm; Saturday and Sunday, September 19–20, 10am–1pm | Prospect Park Audubon Center, 101 East Drive | Free | Best for ages 4 to 10
Drop-in leaf crafts and “Nature Detective” sketchbooks at the Audubon Center.
The Shirley Chisholm Way exhibit at Lefferts Historic House | Prospect Park
Wednesday through Sunday, September 16–20 | 12–6pm | Lefferts Historic House, 452 Flatbush Avenue | Free | School-age kids
An indoor history exhibit on the Brooklyn congresswoman, good for a rainy afternoon.
Native Nursery Fall Plant Giveaway | Greenpoint
Monday through Sunday, September 14–20 | 10am–2pm (until 5pm Monday and Friday) | Native Nursery at Under the K Bridge Park, 465 Scott Avenue | Free | All ages
Take home free native plants for the stoop or windowsill from the North Brooklyn Parks Alliance nursery.
Molière in the Park: Don Juan | Prospect Park
Performances through September 27, including Monday, September 14 at 7pm and Tuesday, September 15 at 11am and 7pm | LeFrak Center at Lakeside | Free, RSVP required | Teens and up — mature themes
Free outdoor Molière at Lakeside; check the calendar for the week’s remaining dates.
MONDAY
Babies and Books and Toddler Time at Adams Street Library | DUMBO
Monday, September 14 | 10:30am lapsit for babies, 11:15am Toddler Time | Adams Street Library, 9 Adams Street | Free | Babies and toddlers
Two back-to-back sessions for the littlest readers at the Dumbo branch.
Choo Choo Train Time at Cortelyou Library | Ditmas Park
Monday, September 14 | 10:30am | Cortelyou Library, 1305 Cortelyou Road | Free | Toddlers and preschoolers
A train-themed storytime and play session, drop in.
September Coffee & Babies & Talk | Brooklyn Heights
Monday, September 14 | 11am | Brooklyn Heights Association office, 55 Pierrepont Street | Free for a first session | New moms — the focus is babies 1 to 5 months, older babies welcome
Coffee, conversation and neighborhood company for brand-new mothers, facilitated by Jennifer LaRusso-Leung, LMHC. Returning moms are asked to join the BHA; sign up on the event page.
Dungeons & Dragons for Teens at Greenpoint Library | Greenpoint
Monday, September 14 | 4pm | Greenpoint Library, 107 Norman Avenue | Free | Teens
A weekly after-school D&D table in the branch’s Eco Lab.
TUESDAY
Movies in the Square: High School Musical 2 | Williamsburg
Tuesday, September 15 | 4pm family screening (the 7pm feature is rated R) | Domino Square, Domino Park, River Street at South 3rd Street | Free, optional RSVP | All ages for the 4pm show
The G-rated afternoon screening comes with a kids’ art activity from A Rosie Day. Skip the evening film.
Waterfront Walks History Tour | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Tuesday, September 15 | 6–7:30pm | Meets at Fulton Ferry Landing, Old Fulton Street at Furman Street | Free, advance registration required | Better with big kids; step-free route on request
A docent-led walk through the park’s history, about 90 minutes on foot.
LEGO Robotics at Park Slope Library | Park Slope
Tuesday, September 15 | 4pm | Park Slope Library, 431 6th Avenue | Free | School-age kids
A weekly STEM club building and coding with LEGO kits.
DUPLO Lego Time at Macon Library | Bedford-Stuyvesant
Tuesday, September 15 | 1pm | Macon Library, 361 Lewis Avenue | Free | Ages 5 and under with a caregiver
Big-brick building for little hands.
Lunchtime Jazz at Columbus Park | Downtown Brooklyn
Tuesday, September 15 | 12–1:30pm | Columbus Park, Cadman Plaza West at Borough Hall | Free | All ages, stroller-friendly
The Gene Ghee Quartet plays an outdoor lunchtime set.
WEDNESDAY
Toddler Time at Greenpoint Library | Greenpoint
Wednesday, September 16 | 10:30am and 11:15am | Greenpoint Library, 107 Norman Avenue | Free | Walking toddlers
Songs, stories and movement, two sessions.
Babies & Books and Toddler Storytime at Park Slope Library | Park Slope
Wednesday, September 16 | 10:30am babies, 11:15am toddlers | Park Slope Library, 431 6th Avenue | Free | Babies and toddlers
Lapsit rhymes first, then a toddler storytime.
Storytime at Bay Ridge Library | Bay Ridge
Wednesday, September 16 | 11–11:30am | Bay Ridge Library, 7223 Ridge Boulevard | Free | Birth to 5
A half-hour storytime in the children’s program room.
Green-Wood on Wheels: Stroller-Friendly Tour | Greenwood Heights
Wednesday, September 16 | 10:30–11:30am | Check in at the Green-House, 750 Fifth Avenue | Free | Built for caregivers with strollers
An hour-long guided roll through the cemetery’s paths, designed around naps and wheels.
Library Storytime in Fort Greene Park | Fort Greene
Wednesday, September 16 | 11–11:45am | Fort Greene Park, bottom of the monument stairs, northwest corner | Free | All ages, stroller-friendly
Walt Whitman Library librarians read outdoors while the branch is under renovation.
NAYA grand opening week | Park Slope
Wednesday, September 16 | 10:30am–9pm | NAYA, 311 7th Avenue at 8th Street | Free bowl, roll or salad for the first 100 guests | Kids 12 and under eat free Sat–Sun, September 19–20, with an adult meal
The Middle Eastern fast-casual chain opens its Park Slope outpost — the first NAYA in Brooklyn with kids meals on the menu. Free Ashta soft serve runs Thursday through Sunday of opening week, and kids eat free in-restaurant all opening weekend.
Stargazing on Pier 1 | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Wednesday, September 16 | 8–10pm | Pier 1 northern promenade, Furman Street | Free, no registration | Big kids and teens; weather permitting
Amateur Astronomers Association telescopes pointed at the planets over the harbor.
Sounds of the Americas at The Plaza at 300 Ashland | Fort Greene
Wednesday, September 16 | 6–8pm | The Plaza at 300 Ashland, Flatbush and Lafayette Avenues | Free | All ages — dance lesson included
An outdoor salsa concert with a lesson before the band.
THURSDAY
Table Tennis Thursdays | Downtown Brooklyn
Thursday, September 17 | 12–2pm | Willoughby Plaza, Downtown Brooklyn | Free | All ages, paddles provided
Drop-in ping pong on the plaza tables.
Nature Storytime | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Thursday, September 17 | 3–3:30pm | Environmental Education Center, 99 Plymouth Street | Free, drop in | Toddlers and preschoolers
Songs, rhymes and a picture book on the month’s nature theme, followed by Open Hours at the center until 5pm.
Soccer Shots Free Fun Day | Park Slope
Thursday, September 17 | 3:30–5:30pm | Prospect Park, 15th Street entrance, 88 West Drive | Free, registration on the organizer’s site | Ages 1 to 8
A free taster session of the toddler and kids’ soccer program.
Tween and Teen Create Space at Adams Street Library | DUMBO
Thursday, September 17 | 4:30–5:30pm | Adams Street Library, 9 Adams Street | Free | Tweens and teens
A weekly drop-in maker hour.
LEGO Robotics at Central Library | Prospect Heights
Thursday, September 17 | 4–6pm | Central Library Teen Tech Lab, 10 Grand Army Plaza | Free | Ages 10 to 16
A robotics team building with LEGO SPIKE kits inside the new Teen Center, preparing for a January competition.
Brooklyn French Bakers Grand Opening Celebration | Downtown Brooklyn
Thursday, September 17 | 5–10pm | Brooklyn French Bakers’ new Flatbush Avenue location — address on the RSVP page | Free with RSVP | Better with big kids — it runs late
A French DJ and pastries to mark the bakery’s new Downtown Brooklyn shop.
Free Hours at the Waterfront Museum | Red Hook
Thursday, September 17, 4–8pm; Saturday, September 19, 1–5pm | Lehigh Valley Barge No. 79, 290 Conover Street | Free | All ages; the barge has stairs
Climb aboard the 1914 wooden barge for free open hours twice this week.
FRIDAY
Story Play at Cortelyou Library | Ditmas Park
Friday, September 18 | 11am | Cortelyou Library, 1305 Cortelyou Road | Free | Toddlers and preschoolers
A storytime that turns into free play.
The Dumbo Pizza Party | DUMBO
Friday, September 18 | 5–8pm | DUMBO Archway, Water Street at Anchorage Place | Free to attend; $2 slices | All ages
Ziggy’s, Juliana’s, Grimaldi’s and Ignazio’s sell $2 slices under the Archway, with gelato, a photobooth, live music from The Jelly and free kids’ activities from Brooklyn Bridge Parents. RSVP on Eventbrite.
Movies With A View: How to Train Your Dragon | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Friday, September 18 | 6–10pm, film at sunset (about 7:15pm) | Harbor View Lawn, Pier 1, Furman Street | Free, first come first served | All ages — PG animated; bring a blanket, no chairs
The season’s family film night on the lawn under the bridge.
SATURDAY
New York Transit Museum Bus Festival | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Saturday, September 19 | 10am–3:30pm | Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, Old Fulton Street at Furman Street | Free, registration encouraged | All ages — kids under 16 with an adult
Climb aboard vintage buses from the museum’s collection, plus activities on the plaza.
Touch A Truck | Clinton Hill
Saturday, September 19 | 10am–2pm | Clinton Avenue between Myrtle and Willoughby | FREE
Fire trucks, ambulances, buses and city vehicles, with kids in the driver’s seat and permission to honk. Music, giveaways and activities alongside. The vehicle list goes up closer to the date. Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership.
Free Kayaking at the Boathouse | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Saturday, September 19 | 10am–3pm | Pier 2 floating dock, Furman Street | Free, advance registration recommended | Kids welcome with an adult; life vests provided
Twenty-minute paddles in the protected embayment with the Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse.
Basketweaving with Nature | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Saturday, September 19 | 10am–12pm | Empire Fulton Ferry Lawn, 26 New Dock Street | Free, register online; materials first come first served | Ages 12 and up
Weave a basket from natural materials as part of the Art Under the Bridge series.
Storytime with Victoria Kann at Books Are Magic | Brooklyn Heights
Saturday, September 19 | 11am–12pm | Books Are Magic, 122 Montague Street | Free, RSVP encouraged | Picture-book age, roughly 2 to 6
The Pinkalicious author reads her new puppy book, Snickerdoodle.
R.L. Stine and Marc Brown at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
Saturday, September 19 | 11am–12:30pm | Brooklyn Heights Library, 286 Cadman Plaza West | Free, RSVP encouraged | Emerging readers, ages 4 to 8
The Goosebumps author and the creator of Arthur present Tiddly and Winks: Don’t Be Scared, with a signing after (one book per person). Hosted offsite by Books Are Magic.
Music in the Garden with Carroll Gardens Library | Carroll Gardens
Saturday, September 19 | 10:30am | The Amazing Garden, Columbia Street at Carroll Street | Free | Toddlers and preschoolers
A family music session outdoors while the branch is under renovation.
Saturday Storytime at Sunset Park Library | Sunset Park
Saturday, September 19 | 10:30–11am | Sunset Park Library, 5108 Fourth Avenue | Free | All ages
A weekend storytime at the new Fourth Avenue branch.
Dance Fitness with Shape Up NYC | Prospect Park
Saturday, September 19 | 10–11am | Prospect Park Boathouse, 101 East Drive | Free | All levels — kids can join in
A free Zumba-style class by the Lullwater.
Carroll Park Fair | Carroll Gardens
Saturday, September 19 | 10am–5pm | Carroll Park, Carroll Street between Smith and Court Streets | Free entry, no rain date | All ages
Face painting and music for kids, plus stalls of art, books, clothes, antiques and housewares to browse.
Back-to-School Big Book Party | Brooklyn Navy Yard
Saturday, September 19 | 11am–1pm | Brooklyn Book Bodega Book Hub, 141 Flushing Avenue, Suite 606 | Free, registration required | Ages 0 to 18
Free books to take home, a free backpack per child, refreshments and Little Did’s “Puppet Stories from Around the World.”
Croquet on the Field | Williamsburg
Saturday, September 19 | 11:30am–12:30pm | Flex Field, Domino Park, River Street | Free, equipment provided | All ages
Lawn croquet on the flat field, first come first served.
Free Canoeing with North Brooklyn Community Boathouse | Greenpoint
Saturday, September 19 (rain date Sunday, September 20) | 12–4pm | Manhattan Avenue Street End Park, next to 1205 Manhattan Avenue | Free, walk up, no registration | Kids paddle with a parent; children must fit a life vest (from about 50 lbs)
Twenty-minute canoe paddles on Newtown Creek with all equipment provided.
Free Kayaking with North Brooklyn Community Boathouse | Williamsburg
Saturday, September 19 | 1–3pm | Bushwick Inlet Park, 1 Franklin Street at North 15th Street | Free, walk up, no registration | One child per kayak with an adult captain
Short kayak paddles off the Williamsburg waterfront.
Vanderbilt Avenue Open Street: last Saturday of the season | Prospect Heights
Saturday, September 19 | 12–10pm | Vanderbilt Avenue between Atlantic Avenue and Park Place | Free | All ages, stroller-friendly
The last car-free Saturday of the year on Vanderbilt.
Open Streets Reads | Boerum Hill
Saturday, September 19 | 1–4pm | Hoyt Street at Atlantic Avenue | Free | All ages; the block-printing workshop is for ages 7 to 12
Crafts, a book giveaway and t-shirt printing on the Hoyt Street open street.
Park Slope Open Streets | Park Slope
Saturday, September 19 | 2–10pm | 5th Avenue between Union Street and 4th Street | Free | All ages
Fifth Avenue goes car-free every Saturday this fall, with free kids’ activities, live bands and dining al fresco along the avenue.
Return of the Buffalo: Tatanka Owe Akupi | Downtown Brooklyn to Brooklyn Bridge Park
Saturday, September 19 | 2–4:30pm | Procession from Abolitionist Place to Willoughby Plaza (2:15pm), Columbus Park (2:35pm) and on to Brooklyn Bridge Park | Free, non-ticketed | All ages — join or leave at any stop
Fifty life-size buffalo puppets from the team behind Little Amal walk to the waterfront with Lenape and Lakota elders, Rhiannon Giddens, Laurie Anderson and Brooklyn United. Full route in our Return of the Buffalo guide.
FAMChella on Fifth | Bay Ridge
Saturday, September 19 | 3–6pm | 5th Avenue between 68th and 81st Streets | Free, RSVP encouraged | All ages, babies through tweens
Brooklyn Bridge Parents and the 5th Avenue BID turn ten car-free blocks into a family dance party with a bouncy house, Coachella-inspired crafts, glitter tattoos and LEGO building.
Rooftop Films at Brooklyn Army Terminal | Sunset Park
Saturday, September 19 | 7–10pm | Ferry Plaza Park, Brooklyn Army Terminal, 140 58th Street | Free | Check the film on the Terminal’s page before bringing young kids
A free outdoor screening on the Sunset Park waterfront.
SUNDAY
What Lives in the East River? | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Sunday, September 20 | 10am–12pm | Pier 4 Beach, Furman Street | Free, register online | Everyone can watch the touch tank; the seine net is for ages 14 and up. Closed-toe shoes.
Park educators haul a net through the shallows and show what came up.
Montague Street Open Streets | Brooklyn Heights
Sunday, September 20 | 10am–7pm; kids’ programs 12–5pm | Montague Street between Clinton and Hicks Streets | Free | All ages
Car-free Montague with a FAD Market pop-up, Super Soccer Stars, art for kids with Miss Piera and giant lawn games.
Storytime with Stephen Savage at The BookMark Shoppe | Bay Ridge
Sunday, September 20 | 11am | The BookMark Shoppe, 8415 3rd Avenue | Free | Picture-book age
The author of Wide Load on the Road reads to the truck-obsessed.
Intro to Capoeira | Williamsburg
Sunday, September 20 | 11am–12pm | Flex Field, Domino Park, River Street | Free | All fitness levels; the instructor teaches kids and adults
A beginner Brazilian capoeira class on the field.
Eco Arts Festival | Governors Island
Sunday, September 20 | 11am–4pm | Climate Imaginarium, Colonels Row Building 406A | Free | All ages; kids 12 and under ride the ferry free, everyone rides free before 11am from Pier 6
Eco performances, installations, films and hands-on workshops to open Climate Week.
ROTFEST 2026 | Bushwick
Sunday, September 20 | 11am–4pm | BK ROT garden, 1309 Dekalb Avenue | Free | All ages
Cyanotype, collage, origami and screen printing for kids, plus free compost, plants, seeds and books, with live music, to kick off Climate Week.
Back-to-School in Bed-Stuy with the Brooklyn Book Festival | Bedford-Stuyvesant
Sunday, September 20 | 12–2pm | READ 718, 336 Malcolm X Boulevard | Free | All ages
Geisel Award author James Yang reads A Universe Big & Small, with crafts, giveaways and the Astromobile.
Slow Summer Reading Party | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Sunday, September 20 | 1–3pm | Liberty Lawn, Pier 6, Furman Street at Atlantic Avenue | Free, RSVP optional | Big kids and teens who will read quietly for an hour
Bring a book and read silently on the lawn with Reading Rhythms.
Storytelling with Tammy Hall at Lefferts Historic House | Prospect Park
Sunday, September 20 | 3–5pm | Lefferts Historic House, 452 Flatbush Avenue | Free, RSVP on Eventbrite | All ages
Folktales, then an open mic for community members of all ages.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 — NO SCHOOL
Public schools are closed for Yom Kippur. For full-day coverage, see our day camps for when public schools are closed; for services and family activities, our Jewish High Holiday events for Brooklyn families guide.
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