There are so many kid-friendly classes, activities, and events happening this week in Brooklyn, including Sundae Fundae at Ample Hills in Prospect Heights, a children’s Zumba class at Brooklyn Heights Library, nature programs in Prospect Park, a Self-Care Sunday for parents (with free childcare!) at New York Kids Club in DUMBO, and free music shows from performers including Suzi Shelton, Aly Sunshine, Hopalong Andrew, and Birds of a Feather. Plus, volunteer season is in full swing! Sign up for a service opportunity in Brooklyn Heights, Fort Greene Park, Park Slope, on the Gowanus Canal, or in Prospect Park, and check out our complete guide to volunteering this Thanksgiving season in Brooklyn.
Care for Trees and Plant Bulbs on the Gowanus Canal
Monday, November 11 | 10am-1pm | 10+ | Sign up here
Join the Gowanus Canal Conservancy for their Day of Service. Youth 10 and up are encouraged to sign up! Anyone under the age of 14 needs an adult with them. Volunteers will steward trees and plant bulbs at Gowanus Houses. The group will also focus on litter removal, weeding, and adding compost and mulch to tree beds. More information here.
Family Paint Hour at Artful Souls | Williamsburg
Join us for Family Paint Hour, a fun-filled event where creativity and connection come together! Gather your loved ones for a delightful morning of painting, laughter, and making memories. We’ll provide the supplies; you bring your imagination! This event is free. RSVP is required as space is limited.
Jane’s Carousel Open for Veterans Day School Holiday | DUMBO
Monday, November 11 | 11:00am-5:50pm | $3 rides
Jane’s Carousel will open for special hours during the school holiday on Monday, November 11! Swing by for a $3 waterfront ride on the beautiful horses!
Veterans Day School Holiday in Prospect Park | Prospect Park
Monday, November 11 | 12-5pm
Join Prospect Park Alliance for family-friendly programming on the school holiday for Veterans Day.
- Leaf Art | 10am-12 pm | Let’s 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 | 11am-12pm | Join Alliance Naturalists in learning more about the animals in the Audubon Center’s collection. This program starts promptly at 11 am.
- Fall Nature Walk | 12-1 pm | Join us as we discover the wonders of nature! 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. Plus, you’ll learn how to protect trees from pests. This program leaves the Audubon Center promptly at 12pm.
- ReImagine Lefferts Open Hours | 12-4 pm | Visit the Lefferts Historic House for family friendly outdoor and indoor exhibits, activities, workshops, and special programs that explore the legacies of resistance and resilience of the Indigenous peoples of Lenapehoking, whose unceded lands the park and house rests upon, and the Africans enslaved by the Lefferts family.
- Carousel Rides | 12-5 pm | $3 per ride; $13 for a book of 5 tickets.
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.
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.
Tiny Storytime @ Books Are Magic | Cobble Hill & Brooklyn Heights
Tuesdays | 11am | 225 Smith Street in Cobble Hill
Thursdays | 11am | 122 Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights
Join Book Are Magic for Tiny Storytime for ages 6-36 months, every Tuesday in Cobble Hill and Thursday in Brooklyn Heights!
Children’s Zumba Class at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
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.
Jack and Friends Presents: Suzi Shelton at Park Slope Library | Park Slope
Tuesday, November 12 | 4:00-4:45pm| Registration opens 24 hours in advance
Join us for Jack and Friends Presents: Suzi Shelton! Local performer Suzi Shelton has been recognized as a voice in independent family music for over a decade. She has four solo albums under her belt, and a popular livestream show called Sing with Suzi featuring special guests from around the globe. This program will have registration that will open 24 hours before the program begins. Please only one registration per family.
Stargazing with Amateur Astronomers Association | Fort Greene
Tuesday, November 12 | 5-7pm
Join the Amateur Astronomers Association in Fort Greene, Brooklyn for free observing sessions, open to the public! We will meet near the corner of South Elliot Pl. and Lafayette Ave.
Learn to Play Basketball at Red Hook Park Recreation Center | Red Hook
Tuesday, November 12 & Thursday, November 14 | 5-6pm | Ages 5-12
Come to Red Hook Recreation Center for free basketball lessons! Children will learn improved flexibility and endurance as well as develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Funkytown Playground with Aly Sunshine at Pacific Library | Downtown Brooklyn
Wednesday, November 13 | 10:45-11:30am | Ages 0-5
Plenty of funk music and movement. Come enjoy sing-along songs designed for newborns to 5 years old!
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. There’s so much to do while you’re in Coney Island; check out our guide to planning a day trip to Coney Island! 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.
Anime Afternoon at Adams Street Library | DUMBO
Take a midweek break 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.
Prospect Park Stroller Walk | Prospect Park
Thursdays | 10-11am
Calling all parents and caregivers with children! Join a Prospect Park Alliance Naturalist at the Prospect Park Audubon Center for a leisurely stroll along Prospect Park’s waterways. Embrace the sound of streams and songs of birds. Enjoy fragrant flowers and explore the towering trees of Brooklyn’s Backyard. Please note that this walk leaves promptly at 10 am from the Prospect Park Audubon Center. Prospect Park Stroller Walks are held on Thursdays through November.
Storytime at Jane’s Carousel | DUMBO
Thursday, November 14 | 10:15-10:45am
Join the Adams Street children’s librarian at Jane’s Carousel for the last storytime of the season! We will be singing songs, learning rhymes and reading books together. Storytime will take place before the carousel is open to the public. No registration, but there will be a capacity limit.
After School Movie: Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989) at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
Free Community Playdate at mi Centro BK | Bed Stuy
Free playspace for the community! Come discover a new stimulating setup each week with an ever-fresh variety of playthings, books, and activities. Meet and connect with other families, children, and caregivers in our sunny, temperature controlled space.
Amazon Free Hours at Brooklyn Children’s Museum | Crown Heights
Thursdays | 2-5pm | Visit STEM Makerspace from 2:30-4:30pm
Join us during Amazon Free Hours, every Thursday afternoon from 2-5pm! Explore some of our most-loved exhibits, including toddler-favorite Totally Tots, the miniature shops of World Brooklyn, our rooftop 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. During Amazon Free Hours, also check out Nature’s Engineers, the museum’s STEM makerspace, from 2:30 to 4:30pm. Engage in hands-on STEM activities, fostering creativity and critical thinking. November’s project is “Glow with the Flow”: How do fireflies and jellyfish glow in the dark? This month in Nature’s Engineers we’re learning how living things can produce light. Build a simple circuit using LED lights and glow-in-the-dark materials at BCM’s STEM makerspace and explore the amazing power of bioluminescence. Can you make a circuit that glows brighter than a flashlight?
Science Baby at Bushwick Library | Bushwick
Friday, November 15 | 11am-12pm
Join us at the library for this special series for babies and toddlers exploring STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math! Science Baby is a creative science program for 0-3 year olds led by teaching artist Emma Gordon. The heart of Science Baby is exploring the wonder of science through story, repetition and play. We explore gravity, motion, magnets, chemical reactions, light, water, bubbles, sound and more! Each child requires a ticket for entry. Tickets for this program are distributed on the day of the program on a first come, first served basis. Ticket distribution begins when the branch opens at 10AM and continues until all tickets are distributed. Child must be present to receive a ticket.
Birds of a Feather Family Music Concert at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
Birds of a Feather is a new American indie family superduo consisting of two kids music luminaries – Filipina-American Little Miss Ann of Chicago and Brooklyn’s longtime children’s music pioneer Suzi Shelton. Individually, Ann and Suzi have maintained a strong presence within the national kids music community, performing with their own bands across the country and producing many award-winning albums. For over a decade, these longtime friends have also been inspired to perform together regularly at esteemed venues including the Kids stage at Lollapalooza (Chicago), The Overture Center (Madison, WI), Jewish Museum (NYC), The Cabot (Beverly, MA) and Wolftrap (DC) to name a few. Their debut album “Rock Together” is produced by GRAMMY award winning Dean Jones and is spinning on all platforms!
Free Storytime at Private Picassos | Clinton Hill
Saturday, November 16 | 10:00-10:30am
Join us for a special Saturday story time, 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.
Introduction to Birdwatching Outings | Prospect Park
Saturday, November 16 | 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. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring binoculars if you have them. Route Description: This outing is at a leisurely pace with lots of stops to observe birds. A different route through the park may be taken each week. There may be steps, slight inclines, and grass and dirt paths with exposed roots. We will cover approximately 1.5-2 miles.
Leaf No Trace Volunteer Event | Fort Greene Park
Saturday, November 16 | 10am-12pm | Register here
It’s that time again! Fall is upon us, and with it all of the leaves! Join Fort Greene Park for one of their annual leaf raking events, Leaf No Trace, to collect leaves en masse. Leaves will be bagged and stored in a leaf corral in the park where they will be allowed to slowly break down over the winter and early Spring months to turn into a nutrient-rich leaf mould. Leaf mould, similar to compost, is a nutrient-rich soil amendment that provides the park’s trees with several benefits. Sign up to volunteer!
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.
Nature Exploration | Prospect Park
Saturday, November 16 & Sunday, November 17 | 10am-1pm
Join the 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 | 10am–12 pm | Let’s 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 | 11am–12pm | Join Alliance Naturalists in learning more about the animals in the Audubon Center’s collection.
- Fall Nature Walk | 12–1pm | Join us as we discover the wonders of nature! 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. Plus, you’ll learn how to protect trees from pests.
Fall Civic Sweep at The Old Stone House | Park Slope
Join The Park Slope Civic Council for their annual Fall Civic Sweep. In addition to trash pickup around Park Slope, they will be offering Tree Care education, provided by Big Reuse. Sign up to volunteer here, or just stop by during the sweep hours, 10am-2pm. The LES Ecology Center will also be collecting electronic waste recycling, and The Park Slope Civic Council will be handing out free daffodils to plant in your gardens/tree beds for the spring.
Farmhouse Family Day: Cozy Coaster Crafts at Wyckoff House Museum | Canarsie
Saturday, November 16 | 11am-3pm | Ages 4-12 | RSVP here
The growing season has come to an end and winter is on its way! Create a yarn weave ornament to commemorate the oncoming winter festivities. Join us as we put the farm to sleep with autumn activities as this will be the last in person Family Day for the year. Materials provided on a first come first serve basis. Tours of the Wyckoff House will be available starting at 12pm, and the craft activity will begin at 1PM. Family Day takes place indoors and outdoors – and wear closed toed shoes if you plan on participating in any farm activities!
Storytime with Maria Coco: Dogs Love Books, Too at Books Are Magic | Brooklyn Heights
Dogs love books, too! But why? Is it the smell? The taste? Or could it be they love books for the same reasons we do? Discover all the possibilities in this delightful story about the joys of reading and companionship, perfect for book and dog lovers! Written by Maria Coco, a Mexican designer, illustrator, and storyteller, Dogs Love Books, Too! captures both the cuteness and humor of having a dog in your life and the stories they can inspire.
Black History and Culture Tour | Fort Greene
Saturday, November 16 | 11:00am-12:30pm | RSVP here
Join us for the Black History and Culture of Fort Greene tour led by Suzanne Spellen with a special stop at Brooklyn Paramount. These tours help retell Fort Greene’s deep roots in Black history and culture for a personal, on-the-ground look at this important historical context. RSVPs are encouraged but not required. All tours are free!
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.
Junie B. Jones Storytime at Central Library | Prospect Heights
Saturday, November 16 | 1-2pm
It’s Junie B.’s first day of first grade, and a lot of things have changed for her: Junie’s friend, Lucille, doesn’t want to be her best pal anymore and, on the bus, Junie B. makes friends with Herb, the new kid at school. Also, Junie has trouble reading the blackboard, and her teacher, Mr. Scary, thinks she may need glasses. Throw in a friendly cafeteria lady, a kickball tournament and a “Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal,” and first grade has never been more exciting.
Hoyt Street Garden Book Swap | Boerum Hill
Saturday, November 16 | 1-3pm
The Hoyt Street Garden will be hosting a free book swap on Saturday, November 16th from1-3pm. We ask that participants bring no more than 8 books to swap for new reads. Children’s, YA, popular adult novels, gardening books, and cookbooks are encouraged. Find a new fall read, meet neighbors, and learn more about the Garden.
International Games Month Open Play at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
Saturday, November 16 | 1-3pm | Ages 13+
November is International Games Month! Join us to celebrate International Games Month at our Open Play. This program is open to everyone ages 13 and up – bring your parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors, and friends! Play some of the most popular titles in our Board Game Library or bring your own!
Celebrate Deepavali with Brooklyn Curry Project | Downtown Brooklyn
Sunday, November 17 | 8am-5pm | RSVP here
Brooklyn Curry Project invites everyone to join in celebrating Deepavali, the festival of lights. This special occasion is about community, connection, and honoring rich cultural traditions. Deepavali signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil, serving as a beautiful reminder of family, heritage, and the importance of coming together. In celebration of both Deepavali and Kannada Rajyotsava, Brooklyn Curry Project is hosting a lively block party featuring regional food, cultural performances, and fun activities for all ages. Guests can enjoy rangoli art, mehndi, mandala coloring, face painting, and more.
Sunday, November 17 | 10-11am | All ages, 12+ without a guardian
The Service Collective is organizing a neighborhood clean-up! Come together with friends and neighbors to pitch in and ensure our community is clean for all to enjoy. We will meet at the corner of Remsen Street and Clinton Street in Brooklyn Heights and clean several designated square blocks together. Clean up supplies will be included!
Self-Care Sunday for Parents at New York Kids Club | DUMBO
Sunday, November 17 | 10am-12pm
3rd Annual North BK Open Streets’ Turkey Trot Scavenger Hunt | Greenpoint
Brooklyn Pop-Up Market | Brooklyn Museum
Sunday, November 17 | 10:30am-5:30pm
Stop by our market to shop one-of-a-kind, handmade items from local artisans. This weekly event features more than 35 vendors offering artwork, jewelry, fashion, home and apothecary goods, and more. This event is free and takes place outdoors (rain location: Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Pavilion, 1st Floor).
Storytime with X. Fang: We Are Definitely Human at Books Are Magic | Brooklyn Heights
Junior Volunteer Corps | Prospect Park
Sunday, November 17 | 1-3pm | Register as a family or register as a group
Join Prospect Park Alliance for fall family fun in November! Join us to rake leaves, and tackle litter in Brooklyn’s Backyard. Come learn the value of service and meet other families and children on this day of giving back. Open to families and youth groups. Families please visit our Volunteer Event Registration Page to preregister.
Sundae (Family) Sundae | Prospect Heights
Sunday, November 17 | 2-6pm | RSVP here
Join us for the first Sundae Fundae at Ample Hills on Washington Ave (formerly The Social). Grab a free ticket here for your family. Anyone is welcome at any time, but entry times have been grouped by age so that families can socialize with similar age groups. Guests are invited to bring an age-appropriate toy or activity!
Updated: November 13, 2024. Main Image: Junior Volunteer Corps in Prospect Park.
