Summer is here, and we’ve compiled a list of all the best activities for kids and families to enjoy in Brooklyn this season. Get to a local beach without a car, catch at movie under the stars, dance the night away at an outdoor concert, plan a day trip to Coney Island or Governors Island, join the fun at an outdoor festival or block party, enjoy outdoor and rooftop dining, get out on the water in a kayak or canoe, sign up for a fun summer camp, or cool off with a family-friendly activity indoors!
Catch a movie under the stars
There are free outdoor movie screenings all over Brooklyn this summer, including Brooklyn Bridge Park, Fort Greene Park, Prospect Park, Red Hook, Crown Heights, Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Sunset Park, Bay Ridge, and Coney Island. Grab a blanket and bring the whole family to watch a film under the stars! Check out our overview of free outdoor movies to see what screenings are happening near you.
Step into a summer festival or block party
Local street fairs, festivals, and block parties are happening almost every weekend this summer. Join the fun and enjoy live music, local vendors, rides and games, kids activities, and more! Follow our guide to all the outdoor festivals and street fairs in Brooklyn this summer.
Kayak, canoe, or row in New York Harbor or the Hudson River
There are so many ways to get out on the water this summer–for free! Our summer boating overview includes kayaking, canoeing, and rowing programs in various neighborhoods in Brooklyn and lower Manhattan. Or, if you’re looking for another way to be on the water, simply hop on the free Staten Island Ferry for gorgeous views of the New York City skyline and the Statue of Liberty!
Catch an outdoor concert or dance party
Summer in Brooklyn means music in the air and dancing under the stars! Check out our overview of this season’s outdoor concerts and dance parties in Brooklyn. Highlights include BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! in Prospect Park, Live at the Archway in DUMBO, Sounds of Sunset concerts and Big Summer Get Down dance parties in Brooklyn Bridge Park, and more outdoor fun in Downtown Brooklyn, Fort Greene Park, Clinton Hill, and Domino Park in Williamsburg.
Take the ferry to Governors Island
Plan a day trip to Governors Island, the 172-acre island in New York Harbor with spectacular views of lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty! Picnic on the lawn, rent a bike or a surrey, play at the junkyard playground, learn to garden at the Urban Farm, lay in a hammock, sample from all the food and beverage vendors, or grill your own meal! Check our our guide to planning a day trip to Governors Island, with information on the ferries and all the best activities and events for kids and families this season!
Spend a day in Coney Island
Coney Island is New York’s ultimate playground in the summertime! See our guide to planning a day trip to Coney Island, with tips on visiting the New York Aquarium, enjoying the boardwalk and beach, hopping on a ride at Luna Park or Deno’s, catching a Cyclones game, an outdoor movie, Friday night fireworks, and so much more!
Take in the view from a Brooklyn rooftop
Rooftop season is here, and we’ve curated a list of the best rooftop bars and restaurants across Brooklyn! Enjoy stunning skyline views from spots in DUMBO, Red Hook, Columbia Street Waterfront, Williamsburg, Bushwick, and Coney Island–with or without the kids!
Ride the ferry or a vintage train to the beach
NYC beaches are now open daily through September 7, 2025—perfect for a family day in the sun! Grab your swimsuit and sunscreen and head to Coney Island, Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach, Rockaway Beach, or even farther afield. Getting there can be part of the fun: take a ferry from Brooklyn or lower Manhattan, or ride a vintage train to the shore. This summer, the New York Transit Museum is bringing back its beloved Nostalgia Rides—travel in retro style to Coney Island on Saturday, July 19, or Rockaway Beach on Saturday, August 10.
Enjoy Open Streets in our neighborhoods
Summer means it’s Open Streets season! See our list of all this year’s Open Streets in Brooklyn, and don’t miss out on special programming like DUMBO Family Games on car-free Washington Street (through the end of June, then back in September & October), Montague Open Streets in Brooklyn Heights (through the end of June), Vanderbilt Open Streets in Prospect Heights (Sprinkler Saturdays, pictured below, coming up on July 19 & August 16) and Park Slope Open Streets (May–October, excluding August).
Enjoy al fresco dining
Whether you prefer a sidewalk patio or a cozy backyard garden, we’ve got you covered! Our favorite spots for outdoor dining in Brooklyn includes restaurants in DUMBO & Vinegar Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, BoCoCa, Fort Greene & Clinton Hill, Columbia Street Waterfront District & Red Hook, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Gowanus, Williamsburg, Greenpoint, and Sunset Park.
Spend a day at the pool
Public pools open for the season on Friday, June 27–the first day of public schools being closed for the summer. Outdoor pools will be open daily from 11am to 7pm, with a break for pool cleaning from 3 to 4pm. See our overview of pools in our neighborhoods, plus important rules for swimmers.
Play in water sprinklers
Another way to cool off on a hot day is to visit your local park’s splash pad! Our comprehensive list of water sprinklers covers all of the best water sprinklers in our neighborhoods: Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Boerum Hill, Downtown Brooklyn, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Carroll Gardens, Red Hook, Gowanus, Park Slope, Prospect Park, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights, Sunset Park, Bay Ridge, Bath Beach, Williamsburg, Greenpoint, and Governors Island. Don’t forget to pack your water toys!
Cool off during Summer Saturdays at Atlantic Terminal Mall
For more water fun, join Brooklyn Bridge Parents and Atlantic Terminal Mall for Summer Saturdays/Summer Sundays. The family-friendly event will have free water play, kids activities, giveaways and more fun for ages 0-12 on Saturday, August 16 and Saturday, September 13 from 11am to 1pm. Find out more here.
Sign up for summer camp
Brooklyn has an amazing array of camps for kids, covering any interest you can think of, including art, dance, theatre, film, magic, sewing, robotics, coding, cooking and baking, chess, sailing, fencing, soccer, gymnastics, pickleball, ninja warrior, basketball, tennis, and may more! Our comprehensive Summer Camp Guide profiles local summer camps in Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Downtown Brooklyn, Gowanus, BoCoCa, Fort Greene, Prospect Heights, Prospect Park, day camps outside the City with Brooklyn picks ups and beyond! We have listed program details, age groups, dates, hours, costs and contact information for each camp for children 2 years to 18 years old.
Stay cool with an indoor activity
On days when it’s too hot to play outside (or rainy!), find a kid-friendly activity indoors! Check out one of Brooklyn’s newest indoor play spaces: Launch in Bay Ridge, Catch Air in Coney Island, or the revamped Game Room at Industry City. Our overview of drop-in indoor activities in Brooklyn highlights more play spaces, story times, arts and crafts, adventure parks, rock climbing, mini golf, bowling, laser tag, and more for all ages, from babies to teens! For babies and toddlers, check out our guide to Baby & Me classes and hangs for new parents and their little ones.
Cheer on the NY Liberty
This summer, cheer on Brooklyn’s WNBA champions, the New York Liberty! Catch a game at Barclays or head to a kid-friendly bar streaming the games. You’ll find everything you need to know here: what’s on the line this season, where to watch the games, how to buy tickets for home games at Barclays, and the latest about the Liberty’s beloved mascot, Ellie.
Take a free outdoor workout class
Make time for a free outdoor workout class this summer—from Zumba and yoga to bootcamp classes! Our guide highlights this year’s outdoor fitness programs taking place in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Downtown Brooklyn, Fort Greene Park, Prospect Park, and Domino Park.
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Updated: July 13, 2025.
