Summer is in full swing and we’ve compiled a list of all the best activities for kids and families in Brooklyn and beyond this season! Catch an outdoor movie, spend the day on Governors Island or at Coney Island, celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, go to a street fair or Open Streets, take a dip in a pool or cool off at a splash pad, go to the library, and much more!
Catch an outdoor movie
There are free outdoor movie screenings all over Brooklyn this summer. Grab a blanket and bring the whole family to watch a film under the stars! Check out our overview on free outdoor movies to see what programs are happening near you.
Take the ferry to Governors Island
There is so much to do on Governors Island! Picnic on the lawn, rent a bike, go down the longest slide in NYC, lay in a hammock, sample from all the food and beverage vendors, or grill your own meal! Check out our Family-Friendly Guide to Governors Island with information on the ferries and all the best activities and events for kids and families.
Plan a day trip to Coney Island
Summer is the best time to visit Coney Island. See our guide to planning a day trip to Coney Island, with tips on visiting the boardwalk and beach, Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park and Luna Park, the Brooklyn Cyclones, the New York Aquarium, and Coney Island’s latest attraction – a brand new escape room!
Check out a neighborhood festival or street fair
From an Italian-American celebration in Williamsburg to a Caribbean street fair in Flatbush to Brooklyn’s oldest and largest street festival along Atlantic Avenue, there are so many family-friendly festivals happening this summer! Follow our guide to all the outdoor festivals and street fairs in Brooklyn this summer.
Enjoy Open Streets in our neighborhoods
Summer means it’s Open Streets season! See our list of all this year’s Open Streets in Brooklyn.
Swim in a public pool
Cool off with a day at the pool! Public pools open for the season on Saturday, June 27th. Families can also find information on free swimming lessons at NYC pools here.
Play in water sprinklers
Another way to cool off on a hot day is to visit your local park’s splash pad! Our list of water sprinklers covers all of the best water areas in our neighborhoods. Don’t forget to pack your water toys!
Stay cool with an indoor activity
On days when it’s too hot to play outside, find a kid-friendly activity indoors! Our overview of drop-in indoor activities in Brooklyn highlights play spaces, story times, arts and crafts, adventure parks, rock climbing, mini golf, bowling, laser tag, and more for all ages, from babies to teens! Also check out our Where to Play Series, that include articles on spots for board games, arcades, mini-golf & bowling, and arts & crafts! For babies and toddlers, check out our guide to Baby & Me classes for new parents and their little ones.
Go to the library
It’s Summer at the Library! Come visit your local library for booklists, a beautiful Reading Tracker to stay on top of your reading this summer, and more giveaways. They also have storytimes, events, and activities all summer long for all ages and interests. Also check out Inclusive Services at BPL, which provides unique programs for children and teens with and without disabilities.
Watch a World Cup game
World Cup frenzy is upon us! Brooklyn has plenty of opportunities for families to watch a match, whether at Home of Soccer in Brooklyn Bridge Park or at restaurants/bars and watch parties. Also look out for our weekly where to watch for free with kids article!
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday
Plan how your family will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary across the five boroughs with our helpful guide.
Take a pizza tour of Brooklyn
Feeling hungry? Take the family on a pizza tour to sample Brooklyn’s best slices!
Visit Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood at the Bronx Zoo
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, the beloved PBS KIDS series from Fred Rogers Productions, comes to the Bronx Zoo through September 7th! With the world premiere of this all-new experience, you and your family can spend a day at the zoo with your favorite characters! There will be trolley rides, fun photo ops, live performances, and more!
Go back in time at Flower Power at NYBG
Channel the spirit of the ’60s at Flower Power, a joyous celebration of the enduring symbolism of flowers as icons of peace and love. Immerse yourself in a groovy and colorful flower show spotlighting the ways in which hippie culture advanced closer relationships with the natural world, and explore vibrant botanical displays. NYBG’s galleries will showcase photography and visual art from the 1960s, while installations on grounds invite all of us to “come together” and be empowered to embrace flowers as symbols in our own lives. Also check out Summer of Moomin as well!
South Street Seaport Museum – 2026 Summer Sailing Season
Set sail on an unforgettable family adventure aboard the historic 1885 Schooner Pioneer! This summer through October, the Seaport Museum offers daytime and sunset sails that provide panoramic views of the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Lower Manhattan skyline. Kids and adults alike can get hands-on and help the crew raise a sail, or simply sit back and relax on the deck. Bring along a picnic, your family’s favorite snacks, and your beverages of choice. Departs from the Seaport, an easy NYC Ferry ride away from Brooklyn. Pricing: Daytime Sails: $5–$50 and Sunset Sails: $15–$70. Learn more and book your tickets here.
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Updated: June 23, 2026.
