30 Fun Things to Do in Park Slope, Brooklyn, and Prospect Park with Kids (2024) |

Are you looking for something fun to do with kids in Park Slope?

Park Slope is a family-friendly neighborhood in North West Brooklyn, near Prospect Park. In addition to the park, there are lots of fun things to do with kids in Park Slope in 2024.

Officially, the area that is considered Park Slope runs north to south from Flatbush Avenue to the Prospect Park Expressway and east to west from Prospect Park West to 4th Avenue.

The majority of the shops and restaurants in Park Slope are located on 5th Avenue and 7th Avenue.

I lived in Park Slope for over a decade and while I am no longer there, I visit every chance I get. I have found that Park Slope is a great neighborhood for families and therefore has lots to do with kids.

Keep reading to find the best things to do in Park Slope and Prospect Park with kids.

Things to do Outside in Park Slope with Kids

#1 Walk Down the Avenue During a Street Fair

New York City is known for its street festivals when entire streets are shut down to traffic and stalls are set up in the streets. Many of the same vendors show up at each event, but the Park Slope Street Fairs have a lot of local vendors set up as well. Live music takes place up and down the streets, and there are usually rides and games for kids.

The Fabulous 5th Avenue Street Fair takes place in May and runs from 12th Street to Sterling.

The 7th Heaven Street Fair runs down 7th Avenue between 15th and Flatbush in June.

#2 Play at the Playground

In addition to the playgrounds in Prospect Park, there are playgrounds throughout Park Slope.

The largest playground in Park Slope is J.J. Byrne Playground in Washington Park.

#3 Watch a Parade

There are a few parades each year in Park Slope, and the Halloween Parade is specifically for children.

Find free things to do in Brooklyn with kids.

#4 Explore Prospect Park

fall in Prospect Park — Walking down a path in Prospect Park in autumn.

There are so many things to do in Prospect Park, many of which are listed below.

The park is large, beautiful, and perfect for picnics. There are multiple playgrounds plus a zoo, gardens, and museum. Many sports are played in Prospect Park, and markets are held there as well.

Looking for a hotel in Brooklyn?  Here are the best Brooklyn hotels for families.

Things to do Inside in Park Slope with kids

#5 Play Inside

Indoor playgrounds are popular in Park Slope.

Kids Town offers 90-minute play sessions in addition to classes for infants to age 8.

Good Day Play Cafe is set up for kids 0-6, and their caregivers. There is an indoor play area with 2-hour sessions and a cafe serving food and drinks.

#6 Head to the Bookstore

Park Slope has both a Barnes and Noble and an independent bookstore.

Community Bookstore has a good variety of children’s books, puzzles, and games.

Barnes and Noble has a large children’s area and occasionally hosts classes and workshops.

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#7 Watch a Puppet Show

Puppetworks has puppet shows for kids on the weekends and for school groups during the week.

Each show runs for a few months. Check their calendar to see what shows are playing now.

#8 Learn About Revolutionary War History

old stone house brooklyn — The Old Stone House in Park Slope, Brooklyn

The Old Stone House is a replica house of a house that was important during the Battle of Long Island during the Revolutionary War.

The Old Stone House has a small museum inside and is open for small groups of visitors on the weekends. They host many events throughout the year and after-school programs for kids.

A farmer’s market is held outside of the Old Stone House on Sundays.

#9 See a Show at the Old Stone House

Piper Theatre offers a summer camp for kids which culminates in a show that takes place in front of The Old Stone House in Washington Park.

#10 Learn About Science

The Tiny Scientist offers weekend workshops, holiday classes, and after-school classes for kids ages 5+

#11 Take a Gelato Workshop

L’Albero Dei Gelati offers workshops for kids where they can learn how to make gelato or cookies. Even if you don’t sign up for a workshop, come in and try some of their unique flavors like green bean and mint, organic arugula, or yellow bell pepper gelato. What a fun way for kids to eat their veggies.

Find more unique things to do in Brooklyn.

#12 Enjoy Music, Art, Dance, and Other Classes

Hootenanny Art House offers music, art, and other classes for young children. Some classes take place outside.

Brooklyn Arts Exchange (BAX) offers drama, tumbling, dance, and other classes and workshops.

Newly opened in Park Slope, Playday offers grown-up and me sensory and art classes for ages 1-4, and lots of creative experiences for kids 5+. Kids 5+ can be dropped off for a class and while walk-ins are welcome, bookings are available to guarantee your spot. For those who just keep wanting to go back to Playday, 3-month and 12-month unlimited options are available.

#13 Play Games

At Brooklyn Game Lab kids learn social skills, and game skills, and have fun playing games. Workshops are offered after school, on weekends, and during the summer. Some of their workshops take place outside.

Writing workshops also take place at Brooklyn Game Lab, specializing in fantasy themes.

#14 Learn to Build with STEAM classes

Kids as young as 2 can take classes at Brooklyn Robot Foundry. After-school classes, one-time workshops, and summer classes are available for kids, and parents join in the fun with Mini Makers and Family Club.

#15 Paint Pottery

Painted Pot has walk-in painting available for painting your own pottery, clay building, and paint your own item with acrylic paint for those who can’t come back for their item and need same-day pick up.

Kids’ clay and art classes are available

#16 Learn to Sew

Kids can learn to sew and create during afterschool classes, camps, and private lessons with Make It! They also offer craft kits to create at home.

#17 Learn and Play at the Library

Brooklyn Library has a branch in Park Slope, and the main Brooklyn Library is just outside of the Park Slope border.

Besides reading a book, the branches offer kids storytime, music, and art classes.

Want to take a tour?  This full day walking tour includes Park Slope and Prospect Park in addition to other Brooklyn neighborhoods.

Kids of all ages can join in on a bike tour of Brooklyn, though they must be at least 12 for a public tour.  Private tours can be arranged for families with younger kids.

Things to do in Prospect Park with Kids

While Prospect Park is not considered to be in Park Slope, it is nearby and walkable from Park Slope. There is plenty to do in Prospect Park with kids in all seasons.

#18 Play at the Playground, Splash at the Splash Pad

One of the playgrounds in Prospect Park — Playing at one of the many playgrounds in Prospect Park

There are 7 playgrounds inside Prospect Park, some of which have water features.

Three of the 7 playgrounds are close to Park Slope: Harmony Playground, 3rd Street Playground, and Garfield Tot Lot.

Further into the park is Zucker Natural Exploration Playground.

In addition to the water features at the playgrounds, there is a large splash pad at Lefrak Center at Lakeside that is open from May to September.

#19 Ice Skate or Roller Skate

The LeFrak Center at Lakeside has ice skating in the cold months and roller skating in the warmer months.

Classes are available, as is free skating, and there are skating aids available for kids who need assistance.

#20 Ride an Antique Carousel

The carousel is in an enclosed building near the Prospect Park Zoo.

The carousel is only open Thursdays-Sundays from April until October.

#21 Explore the Zoo

Prospect Park Zoo is small and perfect for younger kids.

Animals include sea lions, red pandas, baboons, and alpacas.

There is a nature play area inside the zoo as well.

Family programs are available including a 1-day class.

#22 Wander the Gardens

Open year-round, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden has a wide variety of plants and flowers, activities for kids, and a children’s garden.

Kids ages 2-13 can plant seeds and learn to garden at the Children’s Garden, and lots of workshops are available for kids and families.

#23 Tour the Brooklyn Museum

There are tours and art classes for kids as young as stroller age at the Brooklyn Museum. Some exhibits are there long-term while others change. Check their site for what will be available during your visit.

#24 Spend a Few Hours on the Lake

Rent a paddleboat or kayak from Lefrak Center at Lakeside during the warm months.

For those who plan to boat often, annual passes are offering half-off rentals.

#25 Play Tennis Year-Round

A large bubble is placed over the tennis courts in the winter making Prospect Park Tennis Center accessible year-round.

Lessons are available for kids 5+ and courts are bookable by the hour.

#26 Spot Birds with Prospect Park Audubon Center

Of course, you can spot birds on your own, but the Audubon Center has free Discovery Pack rentals for kids. The packs include binoculars, nature journals, and games.

The Audubon Center has programs that run from April to October.

#27 Sled Down the Hills

Prospect Park snow day — Snow day in Prospect Park

Prospect Park is full of kids after the snow falls. The small hills are perfect for sledding down. You will probably see some cross-country skiers throughout the park as well.

#28 Celebrate Brooklyn

Celebrate Brooklyn takes place in the summer with lots of free concerts held in the Prospect Park Bandshell.

#29 Try Food From Around the World

Smorgasbord is held on Sundays from April to October.

35 food and drink vendors offer a large range of items.

On the other side of the park, Greenmarket is held at Grand Army Plaza on Saturdays year-round and Bartel-Pritchard Square on Wednesdays year-round and on Sundays from May to December.

Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Park Slope

Many of the restaurants in Park Slope are casual, and you might see kids eating in just about all of them. Park Slope parents tend to bring their kids out to eat with them, and most restaurants are good about accommodating kids.

Here are a few of our top choices on where to eat in Park Slope with kids.

#30 Sip and Play Boardgame Cafe

Sip and Play has over 300 board games that you can borrow during a 3-hour time slot. They also offer after-school classes for kids.

The menu at Sip and Play includes coffee, bubble tea, unique drinks, snacks, sandwiches, and salads.

Bogota Latin Bistro

One of the larger restaurants in Park Slope, Bogota Latin Bistro has high chairs, space for strollers, and amazing food.

La Villa

Pizza is always a hit with kids and La Villa is a Park Slope staple. They will store your stroller, high chairs are available, and there are lots of options besides pizza.

Delicious bread is brought to the table before the meal, which is always helpful in keeping kids happy.

Culture

Fresh and frozen yogurt with the most delicious toppings is available at Culture.

They make all of their yogurts in-house and you can choose between skim, reduced-fat, and organic whole milk.

Check out a family Mystery Picnic near Park Slope.  AmazingCo's Mystery Picnic in Brooklyn is in the nearby neighborhood of Carroll Gardens.

Kid-Friendly Shops in Park Slope

Lullaby Baby

For all things baby, Lullaby Baby is a one-stop shop. From strollers, car seats, and cribs to diaper bags, pacifiers, and clothes, Lullaby Baby has it all.

We can speak from experience. They are very helpful when you don’t have any idea what type of item you need. They let us try out the strollers and even delivered the one we chose to our door for free.

Brooklyn Superhero Supply Shop

A Superhero Supply Shop in the front with a secret door leading to a writing space for kids, the shop is a not-for-profit offering a space for kids, help with writing and workshops. Even if you don’t head through the secret door, the store itself is worth checking out for superhero fans.

Toy Stores

Kids Clothing Stores

Meshimar consignment shop in South Slope
Brooklyn Industries

NYC with Kids

Click each link for more ideas on things to do with kids in New York City.