Free kid-friendly events this week in Brooklyn (5/11-5/17)

This week has many street fairs and festivals for families to enjoy, including Brooklyn Bridge Parents’ DUMBO Dance Party and Spring Fling on Montague. Families can also check out a magic show in Gerritsen Beach, a silent disco in Sheepshead Bay or Marine Park, an outdoor movie in Fort Greene, a family picnic in Williamsburg, a sumo tournament in Sunset Park, a celebrity storytime in Brooklyn Heights, a parade in Bay Ridge, two Pinkster celebrations in East Flatbush and Prospect Park, and much more!

MONDAY

Summer at the Library: Gerritsen Beach Kick Off with Myron the Magnificent | Gerritsen Beach

Monday, May 11th | 3:00pm-4:00pm

Celebrate Summer at the Library as Myron the Magnificent brings an unforgettable magic show for children, families, and audiences of all ages. Watch in amazement as he produces objects from thin air, makes things float and fly, and transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. With plenty of laughs and surprises along the way, Myron’s magical performance is sure to delight and astonish everyone in the crowd. This event will take place at the Gerritsen Beach Library.

Free Admission Days at the Pier 2 Roller Skating Rink | Brooklyn Bridge Park

Mondays & Fridays | 3:30pm-6:00pm | FREE admission but skate rental is $8 and skate mate rental is $6

Come to the Pier 2 Roller Skating Rink for some free family fun and exercise. Enjoy the fresh air and gorgeous views as you skate around the rink.

TUESDAY

Read with a Dog | Brooklyn Heights

Tuesday, May 12th | 4:00-5:oopm | Ages 5-12 | Arrive early to sign up

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 comfortable, allow kids to attend the session on their own!  Sign up at the Children’s Reference desk at the Brooklyn Heights Library for a 15 minute slot on the day of the program. First come, first served. Sign ups begin at 3:00. Space is limited to 3 children per time slot.

New Mom Meet Up at Fontainhas | DUMBO

Tuesdays | 4:30pm-6:00pm

Bring your baby to Fontainhas for some cozy chai and hang with other new moms. Hosted every week by the new mom pop-up POST.

WEDNESDAY

Storytime in the Park | Fort Greene

Wednesdays in May-October | 11:00am

Sing, read, and play with librarians from Walt Whitman Library in Fort Greene Park! Have fun hearing great picture books read aloud and playing with other children during this program. For children of all ages and their caregivers. This program will be located at the bottom of the Monument stairs near Myrtle Playground and runs on Wednesdays at 11:ooam-11:45am from May 13th-October 14th.

Wednesday Wonders | Downtown Brooklyn

Wednesdays in May | 3:00pm-4:00pm | Register here

Enjoy the wonders of Abolitionist Place – where every Wednesday offers a new adventure! Brianna Kalisch isn’t just a stilt walker – she’s a multi-talented circus artist, performer, and creative producer whose work blends physical artistry with storytelling. Catch her as she struts through the park and learn the art of stilt walking! All skill levels are welcome and equipment will be provided.

Free Admission at New York Aquarium | Coney Island

Wednesdays | 3:00pm-6:00pm | Reserve tickets here; free tickets are made available at 3pm the Monday before

Take advantage of free admission hours at the New York Aquarium from 3:00-6:00pm on Wednesdays. Note that advance timed tickets are required (max of 4 per group); the Wednesday Afternoon Ticket Store will open on Monday at 3:00pm for that Wednesday’s reservations.

Natural Dyeing: Presented by the Wyckoff House Museum | Borough Park

Wednesday, May 13th | 3:30pm-4:30pm

Embrace the vibrant colors of Spring with a natural dyeing activity led by the Wyckoff House Museum at the Borough Park Library, using plants and flowers grown on our farm. Participants will learn a brief history of using natural dyes on clothing and textiles and how they can apply this knowledge to their own wardrobes using materials from the garden or grocery store. They will touch on textile history, the pH scale, and color theory as participants are guided through the steps to dye clothes at home! Limited materials will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Tween Book Group | Fort Greene

Wednesday, May 13th | 6:00pm-7:00pm | Ages 9-12 | Register here

Led by Greenlight Bookstore staff member Megan, the Tween Grade Book Group is geared toward kids ages 9 to 12, reading and discussing great contemporary and classic chapter books. Pizza is served! For May, the group discusses The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents by Nicki Pau Preto, a magic school fantasy perfect for fans of The School for Good and Eviland Witchlings! After years of detention, suspension, and expulsion from magic schools far and wide, Lavinia “Vin” Lucas is out of control and out of options. Sent to the Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents, Vin is determined to behave. Except no one at Last Hope seems to want her to; and when a former student begins attacking the school, Vin must question just how much she knows about the headmistress and her new home. Is this place worth saving? And are her budding abilities—and every trick, trap, and deception in her friends’ delinquent arsenal—enough to protect Last Hope?

THURSDAY

Community Access Thursdays at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum | Crown Heights

Thursdays | 2:00pm-5:00pm | Reserving tickets in advance is recommended

Explore some of the museum’s most-loved exhibits, including toddler-favorite Totally Tots, the miniature shops of World Brooklyn, our NEST kids’ climber, and more. Then check out ColorLab, the family art studio located on the 2nd floor of the Museum, where artists of all ages can explore, make, and celebrate art. Plus, say hello to BCM’s live animals at Animal Encounters, which repeats twice, first from 3:00-3:20pm and again from 3:45-4:05 pm. It’s recommended that you reserve your tickets in advance online. Walk-ins always welcome.

Community Resource Fair | Sunset Park 

Thursday, May 14th | 2:30pm-4:00pm

Come meet community organizations, get resources, and check out giveaways.

Our Garden Club | Flatlands

Thursday, May 14th | 4:30pm-5:30pm

Let’s see what we can grow in Brooklyn! Plant seeds and watch them grow. Read stories, sing, dance, take home plants and flowers.  This event at the Flatlands Library is for children with and without disabilities.

Silent Disco Fun | Sheepshead Bay

Thursday, May 14th | 6:00pm-9:00pm

Come dance to the music you love. All ages are invited and be sure to bring ID to exchange for headphones!

Silent Disco | Marine Park

Thursday, May 14th | 6:00pm

FRIDAY

Author Talk and Book Launch with Eduardo Halfon | Crown Heights

Free outdoor dance party for all ages on the DUMBO Archway Plaza Fridays once a month from May to October! Pop, Hip Hop and international hits – come dance with us! Curated by Team DUMBO x Brooklyn Bridge Parents and supported by Leaf Medical & Leaf Dental in DUMBO.

Movies Under the Stars | Fort Greene

Friday, May 15th | 8:00pm-10:00pm 

Grab a blanket and come enjoy a movie in a neighborhood park or playground! This summer, NYC Parks and The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment will host family-friendly movie showings across the five boroughs. This week, watch Zootopia 2 with the family at Commodore Barry Park!

SATURDAY

Morning Stroll and Family Hang | Williamsburg

Saturday, May 16th | 9:00am-11:ooam | Sign up through their Discord

Join Brooklyn Stroll Club  and Aveeno® Baby & Kids for a morning stroll and family hang at McCarren Park. They willl have activities for the kids, space to connect with other families, and a chance to check out Aveeno® Baby & Kids’ new face products along the way. Pull up with the whole family. Be sure to get tickets via Discord.

Family Picnic & Playdate | Williamsburg

Saturday, May 16th | 10:30am-12:30pm 

Casa Blossom x Artful Souls & Wellness brings you Family Picnic & Playdate. Spring is in full swing and let’s all soak up this beautiful weather with a picnic at the park. Join for a chill morning at McCarren Park: blankets on the grass, good people, arts & crafts, and a few special surprises for the whole family!

Green-Wood Cemetery Walking Tour | Greenwood 

Saturday, May 16th | 11:00am | Text 646.276.0749 to register

Join for a tour of historic Green-Wood Cemetery! Learn about the landmarks & some of the famous figures buried there. This tour is FREE & open to all.

Empire Cup Open Sumo Tournament | Sunset Park

Saturday, May 16th | 11:00am-7:00pm

Get ready for the highly anticipated 2nd Annual Empire Cup Open Sumo Tournament at Industry City. There will be men’s, women’s, and junior’s divisions to watch and cheer on!

Kite Festival | Brooklyn Bridge Park 

Saturday, May 16th | 11:00am-3:00pm

Celebrate spring and kick off the season at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s beloved annual Kite Festival! Watch your kite soar above the city skyline – this is the one day of the year you can fly a kite at Brooklyn Bridge Park! Decorate your own free kite to take home (while supplies last), borrow a kite to fly, or bring your own to show off! Enjoy live music, crafts, games, and activities from local partners at this family-friendly event. Learn and celebrate global origins of kite flying and kite making from international community partners.

Pinkster Carnival | East Flatbush

Saturday, May 16th | 12:00pm-3:00pm | Register here

Pinkster 2026 will include storytime, music, performances, and crafts! Pinkster is a Dutch holiday marking the day of Pentecost in the Catholic church. For enslaved people’s, it was a day of rest and a day to practice their individual cultures and traditions. In the late 18th century, Pinkster became known as an African celebration mostly in Dutch settled areas throughout the Hudson River Valley where they settled during the 1620s. Pinkster is now known to be a celebration of the diverse traditional African cultural arts in the Americas and a commemoration of the resistance and resilience of African people.

Photoville Festival Opening Weekend | Brooklyn Bridge Park

Saturday, May 16th and Sunday, May 17th | 12:00pm-10:00pm

To celebrate the opening of the festival, Photoville will present a free Community Weekend (May 16 and 17), a visual storytelling event bringing various artists to Brooklyn Bridge Park, featuring 65 exhibitions and free public programming from VSCO, the Penumbra Foundation, Doctors Without Borders, Creatively Wild, and Cynthia Santos Briones. As you take in all the festivities, relax at the Leica Camera Lounge, or grab a bite at Smorgasburg’s pop-up. Join on opening night, Saturday May 16, for Boroughs In Focus, a special presentation of photos projected on the Brooklyn Bridge featuring photo collections highlighting New York’s five unique boroughs from over 35 photographers. Photoville will be on display until May 30th!

Community Artmaking Workshop | Crown Heights

Saturday, May 16th | 12:30pm-2:30pm

Join the Crown Heights Care Collective at Another World for a workshop to brainstorm and create the design for the mural as a community. Bring memories and pictures of June Balloons past, as well as stories about your block: what makes it special? what are some hidden histories people don’t know about?

Kids Town Hall and Resource Fair | Park Slope

Saturday, May 16th | 2:00pm-4:00pm

District 26 kids and parents are invited to ask questions and share concerns about the issues that affect them most.

Read-Aloud and Book Signing with Author Lori-Ann Cardoza | Bay Ridge

Saturday, May 16th | 3:00pm

Stop by The Bookmark Shoppe in Bay Ridge for a read-aloud of the book Who Will Keep Me Safe in School Mommy? This children’s book paints a vivid picture of a young girl’s daily experiences at school. It beautifully captures the love between Sadé and her mother, who shares empowering words with her each morning and discusses her day each afternoon. The narrative takes a serious turn when Sadé recounts her participation in a “Lockdown Drill” at school. The author skillfully navigates the delicate topic, describing how the teachers took precautions to keep the children safe.

SUNDAY

Community Stroll | Park Slope

Sunday, May 17th | 9:00am-10:30am | For Dads | Sign up through their Discord

Brooklyn Stroll Club is popping up with Framebridge for a stroll! Dads can enjoy a Sunday morning with the community, good people, and get portraits. Be sure to get tickets via Discord.

Free Admission Days at the Pier 2 Roller Skating Rink | Brooklyn Bridge Park

Sundays | 10:00am-12:00pm | FREE admission but skate rental is $8 and skate mate rental is $6

Come to the Pier 2 Roller Skating Rink for some free family fun and exercise. Enjoy the fresh air and gorgeous views as you skate around the rink.

The Fabulous 5th Avenue Fair | Park Slope

Sunday, May 17th | 10:00am-6:00pm 

Over the past 40 years, Park Slope’s beloved Fabulous Fifth Avenue Fair attracts thousands of attendees drawn by its neighborhood merchants and local family-owned shops. This event will take place on 5th Avenue from 15th Street to Dean Street.

Outdoor Sketchbooking | Brooklyn Bridge Park

Sunday, May 17th | 10:00am-11:30am | Older teens and adults | Register here and arrive early

Do you like to sketchbook? Are you interested in starting? Join Brooklyn Bridge Park educators and other like-minded people in a sketchbooking meet-up. Each time, the group will meet at a different location in the park to concentrate on different subjects and stretch our skills. Come to one event or come to all. It’s up to you. These are informal sessions with some instruction for those who are new to the practice as well as an open exchange of ideas, techniques, and materials. This month the group will be exploring the John Street section of the park and concentrating on architecture (the NYC skyline, the Manhattan Bridge, etc). Meeting point will be at the Manhattan Bridge viewing area, near the salt marsh.

Food Allergy Awareness Event | Sunset Park

Sunday, May 17th | 11:00am 

Come to this event to raise awareness and learn how to support efforts that will address food allergy education in schools and on NYC playgrounds.

Skating in the Park | Sheepshead Bay

Sunday, May 17th | 12:00pm-3:00pm 

Come roller skate and play games at Bill Brown Playground!

Spring Fling on Montague | Brooklyn Heights

Sunday, May 17th | 12:00pm-4:00pm | Ages 0-12 | Register here

Join Brooklyn Bridge Parents for our second annual Spring Fling. We are taking over Montague Street during Open Streets for a full day of community play and discovery with 25 free kids’ activities. Dive into interactive games, arts & crafts, soccer, STEM, building activities, Pokémon trading, face painting sponsored by BASIS Independent Brooklyn, and much more.

Photoville Festival Opening Weekend | Brooklyn Bridge Park

Saturday, May 16th and Sunday, May 17th | 12:00pm-10:00pm

To celebrate the opening of the festival, Photoville will present a free Community Weekend (May 16 and 17), a visual storytelling event bringing various artists to Brooklyn Bridge Park, featuring 65 exhibitions and free public programming from VSCO, the Penumbra Foundation, Doctors Without Borders, Creatively Wild, and Cynthia Santos Briones. As you take in all the festivities, relax at the Leica Camera Lounge, or grab a bite at Smorgasburg’s pop-up. Join on opening night, Saturday May 16, for Boroughs In Focus, a special presentation of photos projected on the Brooklyn Bridge featuring photo collections highlighting New York’s five unique boroughs from over 35 photographers. Photoville will be on display until May 30th!

Storytime with Beanie Feldstein: Teeny and Tilly | Brooklyn Heights

Sunday, May 17th | 12:00pm-12:30pm | Register here

Teeniest body, biggest heart! Actress Beanie Feldstein shares a brand-new friendship story that celebrates loving each other just as we are.

Norwegian Day Parade | Bay Ridge

Sunday, May 17th | 1:00pm 

Norwegian Day Parade, May 17th! The parade will kick off at 1:00PM! Starting at 85th Street marching along 3rd Avenue turning up 75th Street to 5th avenue to 67th Street! You don’t want to miss this!

Pinkster Celebration in Prospect Park | Prospect Park

Sunday, May 17th | 2:00pm-5:00pm | Reserve a spot here