This summer in Brooklyn is different to any other summer our kids have experienced before. We have put together an overview of outdoor activities nearby you can enjoy with children 1 to 10 years old including a trip to Governors Island, ping pong happy hour, visiting the zoo, a new water lab, outdoor roller skating, a pandemic pop-up and more.
1. Prospect Park Zoo is open! All visitors must reserve a date-specific ticket in advance online and everybody 3 years and up has to wear a face covering. Plan your trip here.
2. Check out the new park section at Pier 2 in Brooklyn Bridge Park! The Pier 2 Uplands expands the Park’s green space east of Pier 2, adding a 6,300 square foot lawn and nearly 1,300 new trees. It also includes a new water play area for kids!
3. Boating and the Splash Pad is open in Prospect Park. Rent a pedal boat or kayak for the family or play at the Splash Pad with 47 water spray jets at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside.
4. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is open with new safety guidelines and limited capacity. Advance timed-entry tickets is required for all visitors. Find out more here.
5. Take the ferry to Governors Island, take a bike ride, enjoy the playgrounds and spectacular views. The island is open from 10 am to 6 pm on weekdays and 10 AM to 7 PM on weekends. Capacity on Governors Island ferries (from Red Hook this year, not Pier 6 on weekends) is limited during the 2020 season to allow for social distancing. Visitors must reserve tickets in advance through a new ticket reservation system. See more info here. NYC ferry service is also available from Wall Street, take NYC ferry from DUMBO or Pier 6 to Wall Street, request free transfer ticket on the boat and switch there.
6. Take the NYC ferry to Rockaway Beach and spend a summer day by the ocean. Ferry service from Wall Street is in effect, details here. Ask for free transfer ticket on the ferry coming from Brooklyn.
7. Stop by one of the many playgrounds with sprinklers or water labs. Here is our list of local options.
8. Visit the NYC Aquarium in Coney Island and check out their new exhibition about spineless creatures. Opening August 27 to the public. All details here.
9. Make a visit to the “Pandemic Pop-up Park” on Atlantic Basin at Pier 11 in Red Hook. Amenities for kids are a self-serve sprinkler, kids-size picnic tables, dodge balls, a racquetball racquet, chalk, frisbees and huge amount of traffic-free asphalt (bring your scooters and roller skates). In addition, the PopUp features large umbrellas, bistro tables, chairs, blooming and fragrant plants in pots and maritime stuff in sight (rowboats, kayaks, buoys, fenders, lights, etc). During the day it is a very hot from approx. 11am to 6pm, so choose the early morning or early evening on sunny days.
9. Glide along the water while kayaking from the Pier 4 beach in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Advanced registration is required for this activity. Due to COVID-19, limited capacity is available. Walk-ups will only be accommodated on-site if there are still spaces. Children and teens under 18 must have an adult guardian present. Wednesdays 4-8pm ET. Saturdays 10am-4pm ET. August 15-October 14.
10. Free Ping Pong Happy Hours in Downtown Brooklyn. MetroTech Commons: Tuesdays at 4:30pm (starting 9/8 all September). Register here
11. Prospect Park roller skating at LeFrak Center at Lakeside is open daily from 12 to 6 pm. Find out more here.
