There are many free events and activities for Brooklyn families this week, including a Thanksgiving Concert with Suzi Shelton at Time Out Market in DUMBO, a sing-a-long hosted by the preschool at German School Brooklyn in Crown Heights, New York Children’s Theatre Company’s production of the puppet show FIVE at Central Library, the World Language Festival at Brooklyn Public Library in Sunset Park, and the Danish Christmas Fair in Brooklyn Heights. There are also various volunteer opportunities this week for kids and their families: creating art for Thanksgiving meal delivery bags, stocking a neighborhood pantry, cleaning up our local parks, and donating warm clothes for our neighbors. For more volunteer opportunities this season, don’t forget to check out our complete guide to volunteering as a family in Brooklyn.
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!
Comics with Mr. Nick at Red Hook Interim Library | Red Hook
Tuesday, November 19 | 3:00-4:30pm | 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.
Paint the Holidays at Walt Whitman Library | Fort Greene
Calling all artists! Join us for an acrylic paint class, led by the talented Christopher McIntyre, on select Tuesdays at the Walt Whitman Library in Brooklyn! Perfect for children of all ages, this fun and creative class will have you painting on canvas with exciting fall-themed designs. Choose a pre-sketched canvas to paint or let your imagination run wild by sketching your own design. All materials are provided! Grab your brushes, let’s paint the season!
Urban Wildlife with the Urban Park Rangers at Greenpoint Library | Greenpoint
Read with a Dog at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
Join us in our Craft Room to practice reading with our guest pup, Mia! Kids can make enormous strides in building self-esteem and confidence while acquiring a love of books by reading to a dog. The goal of the program is for kids to read in a specific environment. Grown-ups, if you’re comfortable, we ask that the kids attend the session on their own, thank you! Sign up at the Children’s Reference desk for a 15-minute slot on the day of the program. First come, first serve. Space is limited to 3 children per time slot. For children ages 5-12 who are practicing their reading skills. This program is a partnership with The Good Dog Foundation.
Learn to Play Basketball at Red Hook Park Recreation Center | Red Hook
Tuesday, November 19 & Thursday, November 21 | 5-6pm | Ages 5-12
Come to Red Hook for free basketball lessons! Children will learn improved flexibility and endurance as well as develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Bedtime Storytime at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
Join us for an evening of stories and songs! Feel free to wear your pajamas and bring your favorite stuffed animal or blanket.For families with kids ages 0-5. No registration required.
Board Games for Teens at Walt Whitman Library | Fort Greene
November is International Games Month! We’ve got Giant Uno and other classics, King of Tokyo and other new faves. Drop in and get your game on at Walt Whitman Library every Wednesday in November.
Anime Afternoon at Adams Street Library | DUMBO
Wednesday, November 20 | 4-5pm | Grades 5-12Take 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. Open to Grades 5-12.
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.
Chess Workshop at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
Wednesday, November 20 | 3:30-5:00pm
Join us for an afternoon of chess with our very own Chessmaster. For our patrons ages 6 – 12. No registration required.
Teen Time: The Cookmobile is Coming at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
Wednesday, November 20 | 4-5pm
The BKH Teen patrons have invited the BPL Cookmobile to join us for a November feast! Come to our Multipurpose Room and learn some hands-on skills . . . and you’ll get to eat your yummy creation in the end! Dish to be determined!
Host and Serve a Thanksgiving Dinner for New Neighbors | Brooklyn Heights
Wednesday, November 20 | 6:00-8:15pm | Best for 10+ | Sign up here
Join The Service Collective for their monthly community dinner for newly arrive refugees at St. Ann’s Church in Brooklyn Heights! This month’s meal will be special, as it will be our new neighbors’ first Thanksgiving in America! Tasks will include light cooking, cleaning, serving, helping to make everyone feel at home, and more. All ages are welcome, but 10+ is most appropriate.
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.
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, there is also Animal Encounters with live animals at 3:00 and 3:45pm. Also, check out Nature’s Engineers, the museum’s STEM makerspace, from 2:30 to 4:30pm. This month’s project is “Glow with the Flow”: Learn how living things can produce light! Build a simple circuit using LED lights and glow-in-the-dark materials.
Nature Storytime at Environmental Education Center | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Thursday, November 21 | 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.
After School Movie: Up (2009) at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
Thursday, November 21 | 3:30-5:00pm
After School Movie at Brooklyn Heights Library! For kids ages 5 and up. This week’s movie is “Up” (2009), rated PG. Run time: 1 hour and 35 minutes. No registration is required; attendance is limited by room capacity.
Jack and Friends Presents: Funkytown Playground YOGA at Park Slope Library | Park Slope
Join us for Jack and Friends Presents: Funkytown Playground YOGA! Follow along as Aly Sunshine leads a fun and family-friendly introduction to yoga. You’ll get to warm up, practice breathing and poses, and relax into a power down. Please bring your own yoga mat. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing for exercise. Registration is required for this program held in the auditorium. This program will have registration that will open 24 hours before the program begins. Please only one registration per family.
Build with LEGO at Walt Whitman Library | Fort Greene
Kids Holiday Concert with Suzi Shelton at Time Out Market | DUMBO
Friday, November 22 | 10-11am | Ages 0-5 | 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 Holiday Themed concerts for toddlers and babies featuring the one and only Suzi Shelton. The concert on November 22 will be Thanksgiving themed! If you’ve never been to a Suzi Shelton concert, you are in for a treat! With over a decade of experience, Suzi creates music that is both uplifting and fun, encouraging little ones to sing, dance, and explore the world around them. Suzi uses props such as books, egg shakers, dancing scarves, and special “friends” like Grey Squirrel, Snowy the Owl or her beloved Cinnamon Bear. Shows end with a disco dance party to her new song Our World, bubbles, free stickers and lots of hugs!
Anime Club and Hangout for Tweens and Teens at Williamsburgh Library | Williamsburg
Watch anime, draw your own anime, play games, do crafts, hang out with your friends. Play trivia and win anime prizes!
Graphic Novel Book Club at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
This month’s book is Junior High by Tegan Quin and Sara Quin! Join us for Graphic Novel Book Club to make new friends, celebrate amazing books, and learn our very own cartooning skills. We’ll discuss the month’s book and pick a book for the next month. We’ll also practice our own cartooning skills with library provided materials. Can’t wait to see you there!
YOGA YOGA for Teens at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
Friday, November 22 | 4-5pm | Ages 13-19
Join us every final Friday of the month for our back by popular demand YOGA class. No need for yoga clothes or mats. We’re flexible . . . and you will be, too, by the time you leave!
NARS Animation Workshop at Sunset Park Library | Sunset Park
Please join us for the series of free workshops led by teaching artist Dave Ercolini at the Sunset Park Library. The Animation Workshop invites children ages 8-13 from the Sunset Park community and beyond to actively engage with the teaching artist to build a story through art and technology using critical thinking, curiosity, and creative problem-solving skills. During each workshop session, students will be introduced to the history of animation and 2D animation techniques. This introductory workshop will encourage them to develop visual communication skills and compositional arrangement, through analog and digital technology. This workshop is structured on weekly exercises that will expand students’ cognitive skills through group, partnered, and independent activities.
Free Climb Night at the Bouldering Project | Gowanus
Want to try climbing for the first time? Or meet other climbers of your level? Join us for Free Climb Fridays—your opportunity to climb socially and experience all that the Bouldering Project has to offer. Arc’teryx will provide free rental shoes and chalk to participants! Free lite bites provided, and music by @nothing_neue. RSVP is required.
Fall Maintenance Event #3 at Cobble Hill Park | Cobble Hill
Pack a Neighborhood Pantry | Brooklyn Heights
Saturday, November 23 | 9:30-11:30am | Ages 10+ | Sign up here
The Service Collective will be supporting the residents who are transitioning out of homelessness at 90 Sands Street with pantry essentials for the Thanksgiving holiday. Come to St. Ann’s Church in Brooklyn Heights to pack 350 pantry bags and join the pantry parade! We will walk over to hand deliver to our neighbors.
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.
World Language Festival at Sunset Park Library | Sunset Park
Join us as we celebrate the ninth annual World Language Festival with programs and activities for the whole family!
- 10:30 am | Arabic Storytime | Join us for stories and songs in Arabic for children and their parents or caregivers.
- 12:00 pm | Ba Ban Chinese Music Society | Enjoy the dynamic dancing and lively rhythms of traditional Chinese music from Ba Ban Chinese Music Society.
- 2:00 pm | Learn Quechua | Learn the basics of Quechua, an indigenous language of the Andes spoken by 10 million people! We will also learn a dance, and kids will receive a free booklet to practice Quechua at home.
- 4:10 pm | Mariachi Huella Mexicana | Join Mariachi Huella Mexicana as they interpret music from their roots. ¡Que viva México!
Black Lives, Black History, Black Joy, and Black Futures | Fort Greene Park
Saturday, November 23 | 12:00-1:30pm
Black Lives, Black History, Black Joy, and Black Futures is more than a photographic group exhibition, serving as a living testament to the Black community in and around Brooklyn. Here, we witness the making of belonging–cultures preserved in every gesture, every shared glance, as they carve out a future that glows with possibility. With these images, the everyday becomes sacred, the mundane transforms into a quilt of lived Black experiences, woven tightly into the fabric of this borough.
Food Serve & Community Party with Crown Heights Mutual Aid| Crown Heights
New York City Children’s Theater Company Presents Five at Central Library | Prospect Heights
Saturday, November 23 | 1-2pm
New York City Children’s Theater Company presents the story of Piper the Puppet, who has traveled to New York City all the way from planet Blank to learn about his FIVE senses! Incorporating live music, puppetry, videos, and sensory objects, FIVE will engage Participants in exploring their senses while celebrating the unique boroughs of New York City!
Dance in the Three Generations of Korean Immigrants at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
Saturday, November 23 | 2:00-3:30pm
Experience the captivating rhythms and graceful movements of “Dance In The Three Generations of Korean Immigrants,” a traditional Korean dance brought to life by a talented Korean-American, Master Dooyi Yoonsook Park’s family. Immerse yourself in the vibrant tapestry of their cultural heritage as they showcase generations of tradition and innovation. Through live music and dynamic choreography, this enchanting performance reveals the evolution and adaptation of Korean dance within each generation of immigrants. Witness the seamless fusion of ancient traditions with contemporary influences, as the family breathes new life into their cherished art form. Join us for an unforgettable journey that celebrates the resilience and creativity of the Korean diaspora as they continue to preserve and develop their rich cultural legacy in their new homes.
Create Art for Thanksgiving Meal Delivery Bags | Brooklyn Heights
Saturday, November 23 | 3-5pm | All ages | Sign up here
The Service Collective will once again partner with Heights & Hills to decorate 250+ meal bags that will be delivered to local homebound seniors. This project is open to all ages, and is great way for Brooklyn families to volunteer together around! Each volunteer will design 3-5 bags and bag tags. The theme of this year’s communal art project is “Community,” and there will be a gallery wall of bags created in advance by local artists, youth from the boys and girls club, and kindergartners as inspiration. There will even be a DJ spinning live music for volunteers to enjoy!
Sing-A-Long with Ms. Amy at German School Brooklyn | Crown Heights
Saturday, November 23 | 10am-12pm| RSVP here
Join us for a sing along with the beloved Amy Miles on Saturday November 23rd at 10am! You and your little one(s) are in for a TREAT with Ms. Amy and her suitcase of surprises. Kids love Ms. Amy’s voice, guitar/ukulele stylings, and playful approach to an interactive sing along. Original songs and crowd favorites engage kids and grown ups alike. Bonus: you’ll get a peek into our preschool and kindergarten classrooms and enjoy some playtime outside after the sing along.
Introduction to Birdwatching Outings | Prospect Park
Saturday, November 23 | 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.
Danish Christmas Fair | Brooklyn Heights
Saturday, November 23 & Sunday, November 24 | 10-4pm
The annual Danish Christmas Fair features unique Scandinavian design, knitwear, gift items, holiday ornaments, Danish candy, and traditional food products for Christmas Dinner. Say hi to Santa, sip on hot glög, or bite into delicious “æbleskiver” (puffed pancakes), all in the covered cozy backyard at the Danish Seamen’s Church on Willow Street in Brooklyn Heights.
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.
Updated: November 17, 2024. Main Image: Packing a neighborhood pantry with The Service Collective at St. Ann’s in Brooklyn Heights.
