New amenities for families have recently opened or are coming soon to our neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Our roundup features a new playground in Brooklyn Bridge Park, a Brooklyn Heights curiosity shop with magic shows every weekend, new daycares in Prospect Heights and Bay Ridge, Williamsburg’s first waterfront ice rink in Domino Park, a construction site play space at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, a new climbing gym in Industry City, and so much more! Look forward to more openings this winter, including a trampoline Park in Bay Ridge, Space Club’s new play space in Fort Greene, and Treasure Trunk Theatre’s newest location in Prospect Heights.
Playto Daycare | New location in Prospect Heights | NOW OPEN
MyBiblioteka | Prospect Heights | NOW OPEN
Misha & Puff | Boerum Hill | NOW OPEN
This new boutique at 349 Atlantic Avenue sells clothes and accessories for babies, and adults, including many unique hand-knit and stitched items. Apparel includes tops, bottoms, dresses, sweaters and cardigans, and accessories like hats, scarves, and shoes. Misha & Puff is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am-6pm; closed Monday and Tuesday.
Art of Play Curiosity Shop | Brooklyn Heights | NOW OPEN
The Art of Play is a new shop at 69 Atlantic Avenue that calls itself “a modern wonder emporium embracing the power of curiosity.” They sell puzzles, games, toys, books, and other home goods. Founded by identical twin brother Dan and Dave, the mission of Art of Play is to inspire curiosity in all people through magical experiences. Art of Play is open Tuesday through Sunday, 11am-7pm. The shop is also hosting intimate magic shows every weekend, featuring international performers who are masters of sleight of hand and more magical arts. See all upcoming shows and buy tickets here!
Space Club | Expansion in Greenpoint NOW OPEN | New location in Fort Greene opening December 1
Space Club in Greenpoint opened their new extension in November, adding 12,000 square feet to their play space. New amenities include a cafe (a partnership with neighbor Paloma Coffee & Bakery), a beading room, a Ninja Warrior ball pit, human size hamster spinning wheels, a vertical playground, glow-in-the-dark drawing room, music room, LEGO room, 2 additional party rooms, and an additional bathroom and family, room.
Space Club is also opening a new location in Fort Greene on December 1, which will be 36,000 square feet with three levels and two rooftops. The rooftops will have giant sand pits, raised garden beds with herbs and vegetables, and a bounce mountain. Stay posted for more updates on Instagram!
The Nonbinarian Bookstore | Crown Heights | NOW OPEN
The Nonbinarian Bookstore is a trans+ owned queer bookstore at 1130 President Street selling exclusively queer new and used books, gifts, and more. Prior to opening the bookstore, the organization operated the traveling Nonbinarian Book Bike, distributing free queer books for all ages across NYC. At the new bookstore, you can either shop for yourself, or you can purchase for free distribution on the book bike. When you purchase any item, an affiliate fee goes toward the book bike fund. Learn about upcoming events here, including story times for young readers. The shop will be open 11am-7pm daily.
Terrace Bookstore | Windsor Terrace | NOW OPEN
Terrace Bookstore, an outpost of Park Slope’s beloved Community Bookstore, has moved to a new location at 1624 10th Avenue. They are open 11am-7pm daily, closing at 6pm on Sundays.
Ms. Jenn’s Little Achievers Day Care Center | Bay Ridge | NOW OPEN
Ms. Jenn’s Little Achievers Day Care at 8315-17 5th Avenue opened its doors on November 16. Ms. Jenn is herself a Bay Ridge native, and the school will serve the community with programs for children 12 months to 6 years old. The school follows the philosophy of Reggio Emilia. There are four classrooms as well as a large outdoor play area. The center is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5:30pm. Learn more here!
HAPIK Climbing Gym at Industry City | Sunset Park | Opening November 23
HAPIK climbing gym’s first NYC location is opening in Industry City. Located in Building 6, the gym is 15,000 square, with 2 ropes courses and more than 150 routes across 50 climbing walls, going up to 24 feet in height. Best for ages 4 and up! Hapik will offer climbing passes, mostly memberships, after-school classes, and birthday parties. They will also have an on-site snack bar and seating area. Hapik is offering a discounted $25 climbing pass for their Grand Opening on November 23. Regular climbing passes are $34.90. They also have an interactive digital treasure hunt available at $39.90, or as a birthday party upgrade. For toddlers, there is a soft play area, with passes for $23.90.
Construction Site Play Space at Brooklyn Children’s Museum | Crown Heights | Opening November 23
A new interactive play space at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum is inspired by New York’s scaffolding structures. “In the Works” is a colorful two-story play space designed by NYC artists Yeju Choi and Chat Travieso where children 2 and up can explore, climb, slide, and interact with their city in new ways. The artists will be at the museum on opening day (Saturday, November 23) and will host a scavenger hunt in the play space. The museum will host exhibition programs, including a poster-making workshop and a structural building workshop. Check back here for more information! The play space is included with museum admission: $15 general admission, $14 for grandparents, and free for children under one.
New Designated Sports Areas at Cadman Park | Brooklyn Heights | Coming November 23
Cadman Park has announced that they will debut new signs on their athletic field that define passive and active sports areas during soccer games. This park hopes to address concerns about children’s play being disrupted by adult leagues. The park supervisor will also be on hand the weekend of November 23 & 24 to ensure that the field remains welcoming for all.
Roebling Rink | Brooklyn Bridge Park | Opening November 25
Roebling Rink, an ice skating rink located in Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, will be open November 25 through February 2, with $10 tickets for all ages at all times. The ice rink showcases spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline and is positioned alongside the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. $7 skate rentals, $3 helmets, and $5 skate buddies. They will offer two free sessions for Brooklyn residents on Sundays from 10-11am and Mondays from 5-6pm. Tickets for the free sessions are first-come, first-served and must be booked in person with a valid Brooklyn address on your ID. Opening hours will be Monday to Thursday from 2-9 pm and Friday to Sunday from 10am-10pm.
Anthropologie | Brooklyn Heights | Opening November 27
Brooklyn’s first Anthropologie store is opening at 166 Atlantic Avenue in late November. The women’s clothing and accessories store also sells home goods and gifts. Anthropologie will take over Urban Outfitters’ former storefront. (Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, and Free People are all owned by the same parent company.)
Domino Park Ice Rink | Williamsburg | Opening mid-November
Williamsburg’s new plaza Domino Square will be the home of a 7,000-square-foot ice skating rink opening in mid-November, and tickets will be on sale soon. The rink will be open Monday–Friday from 12-9pm and weekends and holidays from 9am-9pm. Advanced booking is recommended, and skating sessions will be 75 minutes long. On Wednesdays, the rink will have Family Days with half-priced admission and skate rentals. Skates will be available to rent, and guests can also bring their own skates. The rink will also offer skate aids for an additional fee. Skaters will also be able to enjoy Stretch Pizza rink-side, as well as Cuban street food from Frita Batidos.
Industry City Ice Rink | Sunset Park | Opening November 29
The IC Ice Rink returns this year and welcomes all to come for an iconic winter experience. The rink is open Thursdays and Fridays 4-8pm and Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 11am-8pm. The rink is uncovered and outside, so dress appropriately for an enjoyable and comfortable skate. All tickets are available for single entry at any time on the day of your choice and will grant you access to the rink for one hour. If the rink is at its maximum capacity when you arrive, warm up with a hot chocolate from the Wheelhouse and enjoy the holiday décor on campus while you wait to enter the rink. The rink will have its soft launch on November 27, and the grand opening will be November 29. Tickets are $10 on Thursdays, and $16 on Fridays and weekends. Buy tickets here.
Tutu School | New location in DUMBO | Coming Winter 2024
New Pier 5 Playground | Brooklyn Bridge Park | Coming Winter 2024
Brooklyn Bridge Park is renovating the playground at Pier 5. The new play area will include a canopy for shade and sun protection, and there will be new play equipment for children ages 2 to 12 years old.
Treasure Trunk Theatre | New location in Prospect Heights | Coming Winter 2024
Treasure Trunk Theater is opening a new studio for kids classes, camps, birthday parties and more at 700 Washington Avenue. Classes will begin the first week of February, and registration will open in late 2024 here. This location is the third permanent home of the theatrical arts program for ages 0-8, with studios at 141 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn Heights and 179 4th Avenue in Park Slope. Classes and camps encourage students to explore drama through imagination, and incorporate movement, music, theatre games, and visual art. Learn more about their programming here.
Lindamood-Bell Learning Center | New location in DUMBO | Opening date TBA
Lindamood-Bell has signed a lease for a 3,252 square foot location, just south of DUMBO Heights at 203 Jay Street. The nationwide learning center offers tutoring in reading, math, and more, and specializes in working with students diagnosed with dyslexia, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorder. The center will be relocating from its Brooklyn Heights location on 185 Montague Street.
Launch Trampoline Park | New location in Bay Ridge | Opening date TBA
The nationwide chain Launch Entertainment is opening a new center in Brooklyn, which will include a trampoline park, rock climbing, ninja warrior courses, and an arcade. The facility will be located at 531 86th Street in Bay Ridge. The center will also have a restaurant, and will host birthday parties for kids. Stay tuned here for updates on the opening and more details.
Proposal for a Café Kiosk at Pierrepont Playground | Brooklyn Heights | Give your input here
A proposal has been made to install a kiosk on the western edge of Pierrepont Playground, next to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. The kiosk could have bistro tables and chairs, serve coffee and pastries, with proceeds supporting the Promenade Gardens Conservancy. The neighborhood has been asked to provide feedback; share your input here!
Proposal for a new Public Plaza at Temple Square | Downtown Brooklyn | Give your input here
The public is being asked to provide input on the future of Temple Square, located at 372 Schermerhorn Street and Flatbush Avenue in Downtown Brooklyn. In 2021, a colorful art installation by Taller KEN was completed in the 12,000 square foot car-free space. Alloy Development is now beginning a public engagement process as the future of the plaza is reimagined. Take the survey here to give your input! Possibilities include a cafe, game tables, plant beds, public art, or pop-up markets.
Updated: November 22, 2024. Main Image: HAPIK Climbing Gym at Industry City.
