This week’s roundup of free kid-friendly events takes us through Martin Luther King Day! Highlights of the week and holiday weekend include a free kids concert with Suzi Shelton in DUMBO, the Brooklyn Poetry Slam at the Brooklyn Museum, BAM’s family-friendly MLK Day celebration, and tons of service opportunities for kids and families. Plus, so many fun programs at our local libraries, including pop-up library events in DUMBO during the closure of Adams Street Library.
Warm Clothing Collection at Plymouth Church | Brooklyn Heights
Weekdays & Sundays in January | 10am-4pm
Spread Love Brooklyn is kicking off the new year with a warm clothing drive! They are accepting warm coats, clothing, boots, and accessories at Plymouth Church. Donations can be dropped off at 75 Hick Street on weekdays & Sundays, 10am to 4pm, from January 5-24.
Free Skating for Brooklyn Residents at Roebling Rink | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Take advantage of free skating sessions for Brooklyn residents at Roebling Rink on Mondays from 5-6pm and Sundays from 10-11am.
Winter Fest Teen Takeover at Central Library | Prospect Heights
Monday, January 13 | 5-7pm | Ages 13+
Join us for a cozy celebration of winter. Movies, hot chocolate, more, this teen takeover will have you feeling like your still on winter break!
Free Music Show with Hopalong Andrew at Whole Foods | Gowanus
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.
Stomp, Clap and Sing with Princess Backpack and Benjamin at Central Library | Prospect Heights
Tuesday, January 14 | 10:30-11:30am
Who’s cute and tough and holds your stuff? Princess Backpack! Princess Backpack and Benjamin can’t wait to bring their unique style of silly, sweet, and interactive music to the Brooklyn Public Library. Benjamin writes scripts and songs for shows like Dora on Paramount+, Rosie’s Rules on PBS, and Vida the Vet on Netflix, and has a picture book coming out with Simon and Schuster. Princess Backpack is a magical talking bag from the land of Backpackia. And for this show, they’ll be joined by renowned fiddler Melody Allegra to sing songs from their upcoming album, Carry On!
Tiny Storytime at Books Are Magic | Cobble Hill
Tuesdays | 11am
Join Book Are Magic for Tiny Storytime for ages 6-36 months, every Tuesday in Cobble Hill and Thursday in Brooklyn Heights!
Free Storytime at Private Picassos | Clinton Hill
Tuesdays | 11:00-11:30am
Join us each Tuesday at 11am and select Saturdays at 10am for a special storytime – perfect for babies and toddlers. Private Picassos Founder Valeen Bhat will read a favorite kid’s book in our cozy reading nook. Hang out after for coloring, toys and exploring all of the books we have at our Studio.
Comic Book Drawing Class with Mr. Rick at Red Hook Interim Library | Red Hook
Tuesday, January 14 | 3:00-4:40pm | Ages 10+
Come to the brand new Red Hook Interim Library on Van Brunt St. to learn something new or indulge your love of drawing this summer. You will be drawing and learning about art from Mr. Nick. Topics such as how to make comic books, cartoons and graphic novels will be covered. Mr. Nick is a profession artist that has created and published his own series of comic books. Don’t miss out. Beginners are always welcome! All supplies will be provided. For kids age 10 and up.
Children’s Zumba Class at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
Tuesday, January 14 | 3:30-4:15pm | Ages 5+
Join us for dancing in fun in the multipurpose room! Zumba Kids classes are rockin’, high-energy dance parties packed with kid-friendly routines. We break down steps, add games, activities and cultural exploration elements into the class structure. Helps develop a healthy lifestyle and incorporate fitness as a natural part of children’s lives. No registration required.
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 in Coney Island, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. Note that advance timed tickets are required; the Wednesday Afternoon Ticket Store will open on Monday at 3:00 pm for that Wednesday’s reservations. Do not come to the aquarium without a reserved ticket! There’s a maximum of 4 tickets per order.
Chess Workshop at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
Wednesday, January 15 | 3:30-5:00pm | Ages 6-12
Join us for an afternoon of chess with our very own Chessmaster. No registration required.
Kids Create: Collections Connections at Park Slope Library | Park Slope
Wednesday, January 15 | 4:00-4:45pm | Ages 6+
Come into the Park Slope Library and create a take-home craft with us! Join us as for as we explore color themed objects from the Brooklyn Children’s Museum in our Museum-On-the-Go Case: Colors, followed by a craft activity. For kids 6 and up. Younger children (4 and up) are welcome when accompanied by an adult to help.
Teen DIY: Lashes and More at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
Wednesday, January 15 | 4-5pm
We are working on our boutique skills this month! There are several pair of eyelashes that are available for you to practice with! It will be fun. Bring your friends and be prepared to laugh!
Anime Afternoon with Adams Street Library at Powerhouse Arena | DUMBO
Wednesday, January 15 | 4-5pm | Grades 4-12
Take a midweek break with Adams Street Library at POWERHOUSE Arena DUMBO and try an anime and manga sampler! Chat with friends about the latest releases while enjoying some clips of new and favorite series. We’ll also have art supplies available to create your own fan art or draw your OCs. Open to Grades 4-12.
Brooklyn Poetry Slam at the Brooklyn Museum | Prospect Heights
Wednesday, January 15 | 7–9 pm | Register here | Pay as you wish
Amplify the voices of Brooklyn at a series of pay-what-you-can slams, presented by poets and cofounders Mahogany L. Browne and DJ Jive Poetic. Come to listen to poets, or arrive early to sign up if you’d like to join the slam (limited availability). Learn more here!
Free Toddler Playgroup at Private Picassos | Clinton Hill
Thursdays | 10am-12pm | Ages 1.5–3
Starting Thursday, January 9, Private Picassos is offering a free Toddler Playgroup at their Clinton Hill Studio! The playgroup will run from 10am-12pm each Thursday.
Tiny Storytime at Books Are Magic | Brooklyn Heights
Thursdays | 11am
Join Book Are Magic for Tiny Storytime for ages 6-36 months, every Tuesday in Cobble Hill and Thursday in Brooklyn Heights!
Amazon Free Hours at Brooklyn Children’s Museum | Crown Heights
Thursdays | 2-5pm | Reserve here
Join us during Amazon Free Hours, every Thursday afternoon from 2 pm–5 pm! Explore some of our most-loved exhibits, including toddler-favorite Totally Tots, the miniature shops of World Brooklyn, our NEST kids’ climber, and more. Then check out ColorLab, our family art studio located on the 2nd floor of the Museum, where artists of all ages can explore, make, and celebrate art. Animal Encounters will also be offered from 3:00 to 4:05. We recommend reserving your tickets in advance online. Walk-ins always welcome.
Nature Storytime at the Environmental Education Center | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Thursday, January 16 | 3:00-3:30pm
Join for Nature Storytime at the Environmental Education Center! Held at 3:00 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; we do our utmost to accommodate as many walk-ups as space allows.
Open Hours at the Environmental Education Center | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Thursdays & Fridays, 3-5pm | Saturdays, 1-5pm
The Environmental Education Center is reopening after winter break! Visit for Open Hours, resuming on Thursday, January 16! This month’s theme is all about weather. 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. Ready to brave the cold? Borrow a Park Explorer Pack for outdoor exploration fun!
After School Movie: March of the Penguins at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
Thursday, January 16 | 3:30-5:00pm | Ages 5+
After School Movie at Brooklyn Heights Library! This week’s movie: “March of the Penguins” (2004), rated G. Run time: 1 hour and 24 minutes. No registration required; attendance limited by room capacity.
Library Pop Up at Lazy Sundaes | DUMBO
Thursday, January 16 | 4:00-5:30pm
Bubble tea and books—a sweet combo! Pick up a free copy of our special edition zine with Lazy Sundaes-inspired book picks, learn about library programs and services, and, if you haven’t already, sign up for a library card.
Bad Art Club: Duct Tape Crafts at Brower Park Library | Crown Heights
Thursday, January 16 | 4:00-5:30pm | Ages 11-18
Come join us and make a creation out of duct tape! You can make a wallet, bracelet, whatever your heart desires. This program is intended for tweens and teens ages 11-18.
Free Kids Concert with Suzi Shelton at Time Out Market | DUMBO
Friday, January 17 | Doors at 10am, Music 10:15-11:00am | RSVP here
Calling all of our smallest Brooklyn friends! Macaroni KID Brooklyn NW has teamed up with Time Out Market New York to present free family concerts for toddlers and babies featuring the one and only Suzi Shelton. Located on the 5th floor of Time Out Market at 55 Water Street.
Kids Create: Art Nature Play at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
Friday, January 17 | 3:30-4:30pm | Ages 4-12
Join our volunteer artist, Lee, in our craft room, for an hour of fun and creativity! In this craft session we work with material from nature to make beautiful and unique creations you can take home with you.
Family Movie Night: Paddington at Park Slope Library | Park Slope
Friday, January 17 | 3:30-5:30pm
Welcome to the Park Slope Library for the first family movie of 2025! Come and join us as we turn our auditorium into a mini movie theater for our interactive movie program when we watch Paddington! After his home in Peru is destroyed, a young talking bear named Paddington travels to London, England, in search of a new home. The bear, dubbed “Paddington” for the london train station, finds shelter with the family of Henry and Mary Brown. However, a museum taxidermist is determined to make a trophy out of him. Rated PG, 95 minute runtime. All ages welcome, no registration required!
Teen Karaoke: New Years Celebration at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
Friday, January 17 | 4-5pm
Join us in the Game Room from 4 to 5 PM for Teen Karaoke! Sing along to your favorite songs and share them with the group. You can also play some games and check out unopened makeup to try out. Snacks and water will be provided!
38th Annual 3 Kings Celebration Planting a Seed at El Puente | Williamsburg
Friday, January 17 & Saturday, January 18 | 6pm
The 38th Annual 3 Kings Celebration: Planting a Seed is happening January 17 & 18, 2025! Join El Puente for two beautiful days of art, storytelling, and community, where we’ll inspire and nurture the leaders of tomorrow.
Introduction to Birdwatching Outings | Prospect Park
Saturday, January 18 | 10am-12pm | Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult
Whether you’re just starting out or have already joined the birding ranks, this introductory outing is for you! Every Saturday, join Prospect Park Alliance and a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club on an introductory walk to learn the basics of birding and search for the dozens of species that visit Prospect Park through all seasons. All levels are welcome and walks will begin at the Prospect Park Audubon Center. No registration necessary. Please bring binoculars if you have them.
Free Children’s Events at Dekalb Market Hall | Downtown Brooklyn
Saturdays & Sundays | 10am-12pm
On weekend mornings, stop by Dekalb Market Hall (downstairs at City Point) for free activities for kids ages 2 to 10 years old. Enjoy balloon twisting, magic shows, face painting, and more! Located in front of Osteria & Showroom Bakehouse.
Saturday Family Storytime at Greenpoint Library | Greenpoint
Saturday, January 18 | 10:30-11:00am
Join us for Saturday morning @ 10:30am for Family StoryTime in the Children’s Area! We will be singing songs, reading books together, listening & learning together. All ages are welcome. No Registration or tickets necessary.
Arts and Crafts with KEEN at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
Saturday, January 18 | 10:30-11:30am
Join an adaptive Arts and Crafts session sponsored by KEEN! Youth with disabilities and volunteers come together for one-to-one projects. Projects can range from coloring by numbers, friendship bracelets, and pom-pom, feather, or sticker masterpieces… whatever materials are available to bring your imagination to life! Let’s get creative and have some fun! For more information, call 718.253.4948 or email [email protected].
Anime Crew: Shoujo at Brower Park Library | Crown Heights
Designed for neurodivergent girls; however, all are welcome at the Anime Crew: Shoujo. Participants ages 9 to 12 come out to learn about different types of shoujo anime and their heroines. We will design characters and storyboards and create short mangas. Anime is a free program with Extreme Kids and Crew providing all materials.
Saturday Storytime at Central Library | Prospect Heights
Enjoy songs, rhymes and stories in the Youth Wing’s First Five Years area! For ages birth through five.
Storytime with Rio Cortez & Lauren Semmer: The ABCs of Women’s History at Books Are Magic | Brooklyn Heights
Saturday, January 18 | 11:00-11:30am | RSVP here
From the New York Times bestselling creative team behind The ABCs of Black History comes a statement-making follow-up that celebrates women, their history, and their future by centering the diversity of the disruptors who blazed a path forward for everyone. In a beautiful picture book brimming with G for Groundbreaking women, National Book Award nominee Rio Cortez and illustrator Lauren Semmer celebrate all the joys, challenges, and historic forward movement of women’s history in the United States, with a special focus on the Black women, brown women, transwomen, and others who make change happen.
Storytime at The Center for Fiction Bookstore | Fort Greene
Saturdays | 12pm
Join us every Saturday at noon for Story Time at The Center for Fiction Bookstore, where each week we read from some of our favorite books for young people! Led by our booksellers, this is a free community event open to people of all ages.
Learn to Knit at Clinton Hill Library | Clinton Hill
Saturday, January 18 | 2-4pm
Learn to Knit is a drop-in class for kids. Join to learn something new!
MLK Weekend: Grocery Shopping for Homebound Neighbors at Wegman’s | Brooklyn Navy Yard
Sunday, January 19 | 9:30-11:30am | Ages under 12 must be accompanied by parent | Sign up here
Grocery shop for neighbors who are homebound, experiencing hardship, elderly, or otherwise lacking time, resources, or ability to shop for groceries themselves. Volunteers will shop for items on a provided list(s) and attempt to stay within the budget assigned by our partner, West Brooklyn Waterfront Mutual Aid. A WBWMA veteran volunteer will be there to assist you should you have questions. WBWMA will pay for the groceries at check out and deliver them.
Free Skating for Brooklyn Residents at Roebling Rink | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Sundays | 10-11am
Take advantage of free skating sessions for Brooklyn residents at Roebling Rink on Mondays from 5-6pm and Sundays from 10-11am.
Family Volunteering at Brooklyn Book Bodega | Brooklyn Navy Yard
Sunday, January 19 | 10am-12pm | Families with children ages 10 and up | Sign up here
The Fat Cats Youth Orchestra Open Workshop and Rehearsal at ShapeShifter Lab | Park Slope
Sunday, January 19 | 11am
Sparkling with the sound of young talent, The Fat Cats is a pre-professional youth orchestra. The group is 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. Over the years, The Fat Cats have taken the stage at New York venues such as the Brooklyn Museum, New York Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center, The Frick Collection, the Greene Space at WNYC, BRIC House, Birdland and Brooklyn’s Shapeshifter Lab who has welcomed the band for weekly rehearsals since their 2023-2024 season.
MLK Day Sunset Park Street Tree Care | Sunset Park
Join NYC Parks Stewardship as we celebrate the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and care for local street trees! Volunteers will learn how to aerate, cultivate, mulch, and identify street trees. They will also learn about the important roles street trees play in New York City. Volunteers should dress in clothes that can get dirty and closed-toe shoes. Face masks may be worn at your discretion. Space is limited and registration is required. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a chaperone.
MLK Day Of Service for Brooklyn Jewish Families at The Senesh School | Carroll Gardens
Monday, January 20 | 10am-12pm | FREE; tickets here | Ages 2-10
Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a hands-on service learning event especially designed for families with children ages 2-10! Participate in engaging activities designed to inspire and give back to the community in partnership with local community organizations. Children and their grownups will be broken up into small groups and rotate through multiple stations, each offering unique ways to contribute and learn about justice and service. Plus, a very special program for our littlest helpers and their grownups, including a sing-along with Tkiya Music and storytime with PJ Library.
The 39th Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. at BAM | Fort Greene
Monday, January 20 | 10:30am | FREE, tickets are first-come, first served beginning at 8am on 1/20
Join us for a very special solo presentation by Ailey II, vibrant music with The Fire Ensemble led by Troy Anthony, and more. Ring in the New Year with friends, neighbors, artists, and civic leaders in a day of activism, music, and family-friendly activities. Learn more here!
MLK Weekend: Workday at Community Garden | South Williamsburg
Monday, January 20 | 11am-2pm | Ages 8+ with guardian, ages 15+ without guardian | Register here
MLK Day of service in the garden is a great way to lend a helping hand in our community! Bring water, snacks, and comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing. Please note that some activities may involve lifting heavy material and moving, bending, and squatting for long periods. GreenThumb community gardens are developed, led, and cared for by dedicated volunteers who critically upkeep community gardens as public green spaces.
BAMkids Celebrates MLK Day: If You Can’t Be the Sun, Be a Star! | Fort Greene
Monday, January 20 | 11:45am, 1:30pm & 3pm | Registration required | Ages 6+
This family-friendly program immerses young people in art forms that express the importance of acts of service and collaborative work, while knowing that your best doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Activities include imaginative movement, creating a collaborative tape mural, celebrating friendship and family in a vintage photo booth, and sharing inspirational messages. Guided by a diverse group of artists, kids will express creativity and build community, while learning about Dr. King’s life and mission.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day School Holiday Programming | Prospect Park
Monday, January 20 | 12-4pm
Join Prospect Park Alliance for nature education programs at the Prospect Park Audubon Center, the first urban Audubon Center in the nation.
- Nature Around Us | 12–3 pm | Enjoy different seasonal discovery stations and nature themed activities that will introduce you to the plants, insects and animals that call the park home. The Lake and Lullwater are home to many plants and animals. Help us to test the water quality and investigate pond samples that are filled with living organisms.
- Animal Encounter | 2–3 pm | Join Alliance Naturalists in learning more about the animals in the Audubon Center’s collection. This program starts promptly at 2 pm.
- Winter Wilderness Walk | 3–4 pm |Curious about animal tracks in the snow, how trees survive without leaves, or how bugs stay warm? Join an Alliance Naturalist for a tour of how plants and animals live in the winter months. This program leaves from the Audubon Center promptly at 3 pm.
Snow Storytime at Marsha P. Johnson State Park | Williamsburg
Learn about the science of snow with our educators through stories and crafts! Meet at The Park House by the floral “Pay It No Mind” gate in Marsha P. Johnson State Park.
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Updated: January 12, 2025. Main Image: MLK Day Celebration at BAM.
