21 Free Things to Do in Brooklyn with Kids
Are you looking for something free to do with kids in Brooklyn?
Kids aren’t cheap, and neither is New York City, but thankfully, there are plenty of free things to do in Brooklyn with kids.
Whether you want to spend the day inside or outside, no matter if your kids are toddlers or teenagers, there are plenty of fun options for free things to do in Brooklyn with the kids.
Brooklyn is a large borough, made up of many neighborhoods. If Brooklyn were a city, it would be the 4th largest city in the United States by population. This list includes activities in more than 10 of Brooklyn’s unique neighborhoods.
I lived in Brooklyn for more than a decade, and my oldest was born there. We love going back to visit and exploring the neighborhoods, and we especially like finding free things to do.
Things change, so make sure to check each venue’s website for accurate up-to-date information.
Keep reading to find the best free things to do in Brooklyn with kids.
Free Things to Do Indoors in Brooklyn with Kids
Go to a Museum During Its Free Hours
Some of the museums in Brooklyn have a block of time each week where entry is free. Their days and times may change, so check the museum website for up-to-date information on their free entry day and time.
The Brooklyn Children’s Museum has free hours from 2 pm to 5 pm on Thursdays. Tickets can be reserved in advance online.
In addition to the free entry for everyone, there are groups of people who get free or discounted entry year-round. Find out if you are eligible for free or discounted tickets to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum.
See What is Happening at Industry City
Located in Sunset Park, Industry City includes shops, restaurants, and activities both indoors and outdoors.
Industry City hosts many free events, including concerts for kids and story hour.
Explore the Brooklyn Navy Yard
Some of the buildings at the Brooklyn Navy Yard are free and open to the public. Building 92 has a small museum inside that tells the story of the Navy Yard.
Listen to Live Music at Bargemusic
Bargemusic presents concerts near the Brooklyn Bridge year-round.
Sometimes there are admission-free concerts at Bargemusic. There is no assigned seating or tickets for the admission-free concerts.
Attend a Workshop Just for Kids
Home Depot offers workshops where kids can build a kit using a hammer, nails, and other tools. Currently, kids’ workshops at Home Depot are offered on the first Saturday of each month. Check the specific store for more details.
Each month has a specific theme, and all materials, including paints, are available to use for free in the store.
Apple stores offer free tech classes for kids. Classes are interactive, and kids have access to all of the needed supplies at the Apple Store. Workshops include design, music, and movie-making.
See what is happening at the Library
Brooklyn has the main library branch located by Grand Army Plaza at the north end of Prospect Park and more than 60 other branches located throughout the borough.
The Brooklyn Public Library offers story hours, game days, crafts, workshops, movies, and all kinds of incredible experiences for free.
Kids can pick up a free grab-and-go art pack at various Brooklyn library locations. Check here for locations, age groups, and themes.
Visit the Old Stone House
Located in Washington Park, next to a playground and plenty of room for kids to play, is the Old Stone House.
The Old Stone House is a replica, using some of the original material, of a Dutch farmhouse that played an important part in a battle during the Revolutionary War.
Free concerts for kids and performances for and by kids are performed for free at the Old Stone House.
Find more fun things to do with kids in Park Slope, Brooklyn and Prospect Park.
Free Things to Do Outside in Brooklyn with Kids
Explore Nature through the Audubon Center
Prospect Park is great for wandering on your own, but for those who want to learn more about their surroundings, the Audubon Center at Prospect Park offers workshops and kids’ packs that include free items for kids to borrow to explore the wildlife at the park.
Kids can check out a free play-and-go kit that includes binoculars, a bird-watching checklist, games, and activities.
Play-and-go kits for kids are also available at Lefferts House.
Go to the Beach
Heading to a beach isn’t what most people think about when they think about Brooklyn, but there are beaches in Brooklyn.
Brooklyn’s most famous beach is Coney Island, which is within walking distance of Brighton Beach. Brighton Beach has a large Russian population, which can be seen by the shop and restaurant signs.
Coney Island has a boardwalk with amusement park rides and the famous Nathan’s hot dog stand.
Lifeguards are on duty on both beaches, and the beach is closed for swimming outside of the lifeguard’s hours.
Though Manhattan is in the name, Manhattan Beach is in Brooklyn. It is a little harder to get to by public transportation and requires a bit of walking. Manhattan Beach is small, but it has BBQ and picnic areas as well as a playground.
See the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
The neighborhood of Dyker Heights is known for its incredible Christmas light displays.
Of course, you can take a bus tour or a walking tour around the neighborhood, but it is also a kid-friendly, free activity in Brooklyn.
Bundle up, head to Dyker Heights at dusk, and view the incredible decorations.
Play at Brooklyn Bridge Park
The free options for things to do with kids are endless at Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Brooklyn Bridge Park has multiple playgrounds, splash pads, and lots of space to run around. Pebble Beach is a favorite, and the views are incredible.
The Environmental Center at Brooklyn Bridge Park has free hours for the public. All of the games, crafts, activities, and exhibits are included for free during opening hours.
For family-friendly things to do and playground locations at Brooklyn Bridge Park, head here for updated information.
Go Kayaking at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Kayak for free from Brooklyn Bridge Park on select days throughout the summer.
Free public kayaking, thanks to Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservatory and Brooklyn Bridge Park Boat House, is open for general kayaking throughout the week and family kayaking on Sundays.
Listen to Music at Celebrate Brooklyn
Celebrate Brooklyn is a long-running free outdoor music festival. The BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn Festival doesn’t take place in one day or even over a weekend. This unique music festival takes place throughout the summer in Prospect Park.
From June to August each year, Celebrate Brooklyn celebrates music, dance, and performing arts with free shows at the Bandshell in Prospect Park.
While there is a charge for benefit concerts, all other shows at Celebrate Brooklyn are free.
Explore an Old Cemetery
I know this one sounds weird, but I promise that Greenwood Cemetery is worth visiting. Set up like a park, Greenwood Cemetery has incredible city views, gorgeous monuments and tombs, rolling hills, and lots of trees and flowers.
Both public and private tours are offered through Greenwood Cemetery, or you can wander around on your own for free. Greenwood Cemetery has a free app that visitors can download to tour the cemetery on their own.
Watch a Movie Outside
Free summer movies, including kids’ movies, are shown at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Prospect Park, Coney Island, and Sunset Park.
Visit a 19th-Century Fort
Located in Fort Hamilton is the Harbor Defense Museum, the only military museum in New York City. Entry to the Harbor Defense Museum is always free.
Go Swimming
Beat the summer heat with a dip in any of the free pools in Brooklyn. There are both free pools in Brooklyn and free swimming programs. Learn more about both here.
“Pay as you Wish.”
Walk around the Gardens in Winter
Winter weekdays at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens are always free, or “pay as you wish.”
Kids under 12 are always free at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, but on weekdays from December to February, everyone can enter free of charge.
Brooklyn Botanic Gardens also offers “Community Tickets” daily. Community Tickets are free of charge for those who need them. A certain number of community tickets are available daily.
“Pay as you Wish” at a Museum
Located in Red Hook, the Waterfront Museum is on a refurbished barge from the early 1900s, which is now a home. The museum is small but filled with memorabilia.
Be sure to check out the schedule of events at Waterfront Museum for performances, special events, and exhibits.
Go on a “Pay as You Wish” Walking Tour
Free Tours by Foot has pay-what-you-wish walking tours all over New York City. For those interested in learning more about Brooklyn’s neighborhoods, Free Tours by Foot offers a Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Heights, and DUMBO tour both during the day and at twilight.
For those who don’t want to take a guided walk but still want to see the sights and learn about the area, they have self-guided walks as well.
Tours must be booked in advance.
Pay What You Wish at the Aquarium
Wednesday afternoons are pay-what-you-wish at the New York Aquarium in Coney Island, but tickets must be reserved in advance. Tickets open up on Mondays at 3 for that week’s tickets.
Everyone 3+ needs a ticket, and there is a max of 4 tickets reserved at once.
The 4D theatre is not included with the Wednesday pay-what-you-wish special.
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Free Things to Do in Brooklyn with Kids Wrap-Up
As you can see, there are plenty of free things to do in Brooklyn with kids of all ages.
Besides playing at any of the playgrounds in the borough, kids can go kayaking, go swimming, and attend concerts for free in Brooklyn.
Families can take a free tour, visit a museum for free, or sign up for a variety of free workshops.
This list includes more than 20 different things kids can do for free in Brooklyn, so hopefully, you were able to find something to suit your family.
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