Family Indoor Activity Guide | Brooklyn Indoor Playgrounds by Neighborhood
The winter months are the least glamorous time to be a Brooklyn parent. We’re schlepping extra layers and trying to stay warm while having some semblance of life. An affordable, deserted indoor playground is the holy grail, but that’s unlikely, given our proximity to 700,000 other children in the borough. An indoor activity can be more than a playground near you: sometimes you don’t want to spend money. Sometimes, you need a place to waste an hour, meet up with a friend, or leave the house. This list is intentionally comprehensive for those various circumstances and geared towards ideas for families for weekend activities.
If it’s a place I’ve personally visited, I put an 🍎 before the name and description.
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Bedford-Stuyvesant Indoor Activities
🍎 Flying Apple NY: Indoor play area on the border of Bed-Stuy and Bushwick. Flying Apple is more affordable and, in my opinion, geared towards ages 5+. My four-year-old enjoyed it when we went, but there were a lot of bigger kids running around; it’s harder for parents to climb in the upper areas- at least if you’re tall like me (humble brag).
🍎 Lil J’s Creative Canvas: Lil J’s has drop-in open play for $25 and drop-in classes like Slime Play. All of these options are on mid-day Saturday and Sunday. My kids have both done camp here, and this is a great open space with various activity tables- there is a dedicated toddler time as well.
Prospect Gymnastics: Drop-in toddler play time on Sundays at 8:45 am. They also have an open gym on Friday evenings for ages 5+.
Brooklyn Heights Family-Friendly Meet-Up Spots
🍎 Books are Magic: Local book store with a cute reading section for kids to relax.
Brooklyn Cat Cafe: For the animal-loving children in your life, make a reservation to enjoy some kitten time. They also have family-friendly movie nights and parents' night out events for kids.
Brooklyn Library- Brooklyn Heights Branch: This newly renovated library has beautiful sections for children of all ages- babies through teens!
Carroll Gardens Places for Kids
Jalopy Theatre of School and Music: Lots of kid-friendly shows and performances. The schedule varies, so keep checking back or sign up for their newsletter.
Brooklearn: Weekday Open Play sessions for children under 6 years old. On Weekends, they have parent night-out options.
Brooklyn Farmacy: While ice cream might not be on your cold weather list, this is a loud place where children are welcome at the tables!
Clinton Hill Indoor Play Areas
🍎 Private Picassos: Private Picassos does drop-in art making on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am-5 pm. This is currently my children's favorite. The space is so comfortable, and children can select from various crafts. There is no time limit, and it's a great way to meet up with friends on a cold day.
🍎 Brooklyn Navy Yard: Brooklyn Navy Yard is a big space on a cold day that doesn’t get too crowded. I love a tuna salad at Russ & Daughters. Transmitter Brewing is pretty comfortable place and older kids love a pinball machine.
Clinton Hill Library: Another easy option for a Saturday.
Cobble Hill Family Activities
Brooklyn Strategist: Walk-in play available on the weekends for 4 hours at only $15. Pick from their library of games (board games geared towards school-aged children and above)!
NY Kids Club: Open Play is currently scheduled for 9 am on Sunday mornings for children under 4 (as of writing this post in January 2024).
Cobble Hill Cinemas: A no-frills old-school theater.
Barnes & Noble: Visit the chain store so you don’t feel quite as bad for lingering. Also, every time I visit a Barnes & Noble, I’m impressed with their book selection!
The Senesh School: Sunday Toddler programming is tailored to all Jewish families and open to all regardless if a child attends the school. These are held around once a month in the winter!
The Craft Studio: Drop-in crafting sessions are available on Saturdays & Sundays from 11 am-to 4 pm, depending on parties.
🍎 My Gym: Weekend “Pay N Play” events and Parent’s Night Out.
Books are Magic: A great local bookstore with a cute kid is for children to peruse.
Crown Heights Things to Do with Kids
🍎 Major Owens Center: Major Owens has family swim at Imagine Swimming from 5-7 pm on Saturday and Sunday (free if you’re currently enrolled in lessons). There is also drop-in tumbling on Sundays for children ages 3-5.
🍎 Brooklyn Children’s Museum: Open play every Saturday and Sunday; I’ve also been very impressed with their events recently.
Downtown Brooklyn
🍎 Target: I love to give my children $20 and let them pick out what they want to buy at Target on a lazy Saturday. It’s more affordable than a play area, and it takes at least an hour for them to decide (plus there is the math skill involved). Warning: The Citypoint location has an inferior selection of toys relative to Atlantic Terminal.
🍎 McNally Jackson Booksellers: The hidden reading room in the kids' section is adorable. They also have rotating reading events for children.
🍎 Escape Room: With dedicated kids' rooms, this is an excellent activity for children ages 6+. My daughter went with some friends in first grade and had a fantastic time.
Golfzon: I haven’t been here, but I had friends take their 2nd grader, and it seemed to be a pretty fun activity for those interested in or curious about golf. Its simulator charges by the hour and has various courses available.
🍎 My Gym: No weekend open play events that I can see at this location, but they do host a parent’s night out once a month!
🍎 NY Transit Museum: This is my favorite to do with any visiting friends or family. It’s a crowd-pleaser for all ages, and on cold days, kids could run around those old trains forever. (Well, I will try to tell them to walk, not run.)
🍎 Citypoint/Dekalb Market: Citypoint hosts kids activities every Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 am. These are often seasonal and have great themes. If you need a table, the food at Sixpoint Brewery and Han Dynasty is delicious and kid-friendly!
Dumbo Family Spots
🍎 Time Out Marketplace: This place gets loud and busy, BUT that means patrons can’t hear your children. It opens early, though; grab some crafts and claim an early table to try to meet up with friends.
Creatively Wild Art Studio: Drop-in art classes for kids on Saturday mornings!
Loop of the Loom: Drop off weaving classes for children ages 6+ on Saturdays and Sundays.
Randolph Beer: Kids are allowed from 11 am-2 pm. The game area here is pretty phenomenal for all ages.
🍎 Area53 Laser Tag: Area53 is geared toward slightly older children (my daughter first attended a 7-year-old birthday party). It’s a great space with a group as you can reserve a couch area for the adult, and the kids (and parents) can go wild downstairs.
🍎 Carnaby Club: Carnaby Club has drop-in open play on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am - 6 pm. The space is limited for children under 6 years of age.
Fort Greene Indoor Playgrounds
🍎 Space Club: Space Club is the newest indoor playground, and my kids love it. It has something for kids of all ages and is truly beautifully designed.
Black Forest Brooklyn: With casual vibes and long picnic tables, this is a great spot to put a lot of kids on a bench with friends- my kids love pretzels, too!
🍎 Chuck E Cheese: To be the first family at Chuck E Cheese on Saturday, before the birthday parties start, is a delight. The unlimited play passes are easy and the space is secure with younger children. The afternoons tend to get a bit crazier,r but it’s still a fun, easy place- this is a good one for rainy days bc it’s so close to transport, and it minimizes walking outside.
🍎 Dave & Busters: Dave & Busters is for the kids when they age out of Chuck E Cheese. My daughter, at seven, can’t quite do many of the games, but I think she feels a bit more mature heading there. It’s a nice spot, but it requires pretty active parenting.
🍎 Target: I love to give my children $20 and let them pick out what they want to buy at Target on a lazy Saturday. It’s more affordable than a play area, and it takes at least an hour for them to decide (plus there is the math skill involved)
Gowanus Drop-In Activities for Kids
🍎 Brooklyn Bouldering Experience: Once a month, Brooklyn Bouldering hosts parents' night out. I’ve seen weekend drop-off activities in the past, but none are currently scheduled.
🍎 Gotham Gymnastics: Open Gym held the first Saturday of every month for ages 4-14.
🍎 Brooklyn Ninja: Weekend drop-in classes available. For ages 4-5, drop-ins are always Sunday morning for mini ninja. For ages 6-13, the schedule varies during the day.
Brooklyn Public Library- Pacific Branch: This library was always our nanny's favorite on cold days. She found it was a bit of a secret spot and wouldn’t be as busy as other locations!
Playwell: Open play is available on Saturday mornings and Sunday most of the day. These sessions book up fast!
🍎 Insa: Book a private room for karaoke and you will have a good time! This was one of the most fun things I’ve done with a few other family friends in the area.
Greenpoint Indoor Activities for Kids
🍎 Ferox Athletics: Part trampoline park and part ninja area, the two-hour open play sessions here will leave everyone tired and sweaty!
🍎 Space Club: I’ve only been to the sister location in Fort Greene, but I’ve heard this space is even better. Lots of sensory play areas for all ages.
Twinkle Playspace: Open Play from 8:30-10:30 am on Saturdays and Sundays; the location is for children 6 years and under.
Play Kids: Montessori-inspired play area with drop-ins available from 8 am- 6 pm; geared towards children under seven.
🍎 Brooklyn Zoo: Parkour gym with kids open play from 2-6 pm every Saturday and Sunday.
Puppetsburg @ The Wild: Pop-up performances every third Sunday at 10:45 at The Wild in Greenpoint.
Park Slope Things to Do with Kids
🍎 Nitehawk Cinema: Movie theater with family-friendly showings and a delicious food and drink menu!
Good Day Play Cafe: Super cute indoor play area and cafe. They are open all weekend outside of private events. There is no age limit, but it is geared towards five years and under.
Park Slope Library: A bit of a smaller branch, but still a great space when you need it!
Paper Playground: Toddler Art & Sensory Play Drop-ins are on Saturday mornings from 9:30 am to 10:15 am.
🍎 Kids Town Play Space: My children love all the pretend play in this space. Open Play sessions are available most Sundays (make sure to book ahead as they are quite busy with birthday parties!)
Private Picassos: Drop-in art making is available from 10 am to 5 pm at the Park Slope location.
Painted Pot: The website is currently down; I’ll come back to this one!
🍎 My Gym: Parent’s Night Out is available at this location.
Parklife: Family-friendly restaurant with kids' crafts activities every Saturday afternoon in the winter!
Puppetsburg @ Rider Gifts: Sunday pop-up shows the first Sunday of the month at 9:30 and 10:30 am.
Prospect Heights Family Activities
🍎 Ample Hills Washington Ave aka The Social: My children love this play area and game room at The Social. They also sell beer & wine- it's a very easy place to meet up with friends!
Little Makers Studio: Open Studio from 1-4 pm for ages 2 - 12. They have other drop-in classes over the weekend and a parent's night out. This one is next on my list!
🍎 Chelsea Piers Field House: Navigating their website is a form of torture, but Chelsea Piers has drop-in classes for gymnastics on Saturdays and Sundays for ages 3-10 years ol,d depending on availability.
🍎 Central Library: Expect crowds on a cold day, but allowing your children to pick out a book or two is still a convenient activity. Whenever I provide a choice, my kids deliberate for hours.
Brooklyn Museum: Through the winter, there is a Saturday sketch club for kids and a Sunday art hang: the exhibits are more geared towards adults, but I like the direction of the programming recently. (Embarrassed, I still haven’t been, so this is definitely on my winter bucket list.)
Red Hook Things To Do
🍎 Ikea: Free childcare for an hour for all who are potty trained! On a cold day, this is also an easy place to wander for an hour or two with the whole family. If you have a car, take advantage of free parking and look at each section for storage inspo (something I always need).
🍎 Shipwrecked- Mini Golf: If you visit Shipwrecked make sure you visit the arcade. This is probably my favorite claw machine because it’s play until you win! No specific age guidance but I think this is best for ages 5+.
Brooklyn Dance Lessons: Drop-in classes are available for children on Saturdays.
Sunset Park Indoor Activities
🍎 Industry City: Industry City is a great option without a dedicated activity. There is a lot of space to be loud and explore. Carraeu Club is currently my favorite place to hang out with friends! Many of the activities below are also in Industry City- Hapik Climbing, Joy Gymnastics, Escape Room, CREA Interactivity.
🍎 Hapik Climbing: Hapik is a new climbing space, and I think it’s a must-visit for all families with kids four and above! Really innovative and a great activity with friends- book a session from 10 am - 8 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Joy Gymnastics: Open Joy is available at various times, depending on the weekend. They also do a parent’s night out monthly for only $40 (one of the most affordable I’ve seen!).
Escape Room: Dedicated rooms and themed for children and group rates are available if you want to sign up with friends!
CREA Interactivity: An interactive technology playspace, I’m intrigued by CREA because I don’t think I’ve been anywhere like it. You can book adventures for Saturday or Sunday afternoons. Parents drop off available Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights!
🍎Urban Air: This trampoline park is not an easy activity for parents. The crowds don’t seem to bother my children, though. If you haven’t been, prepare yourself!
🍎 Melody Lanes: I love the vibe at this old-school bowling alley. It’s no frills but they still have bumpers, and it's so much more affordable than the new spaces.
Williamsburg Indoor Play Areas
🍎 Brooklyn Bowl: Family Bowl every Saturday and Sunday starting at 11 am. The kids' concerts with Rock and Roll Playhouse every Sunday are phenomenal and something on every family's bucket list.
🍎 Nitehawk Cinema: Rotating selection of family-friendly movies; the theater is run, and the snacks are delicious.
Barcade: The first Sunday of every month is family day. Geared towards children at least 10 years old.
Area 53 Adventure Park: This is deep in East Williamsburg, but the space has it all zip line, rock climbing, indoor playground, roller skating, and an adjacent paintball area. When I have a pre-teen this looks like it will be a hot spot for boys birthdays.
Indoor Activities in Other Brooklyn Neighborhoods
Sensory Play Studio (Prospect-Leffert Gardens): Drop-in Play on Saturdays and drop-in music/art classes; focused on children 7 years and younger.
FairyTale Island Play Area (Bay Ridge): a play area with a ball pit, sand pit, and slides; bookings are available all day Saturday and Sunday.
Kids N Action: (Midwood/Ditmas Park) Large indoor play area with a dedicated toddler section, arcade, and bumper cars.
Aviator Sports Nation: Open Sessions for running/gymnastics/parkour for ages 13+ on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Learn-to-skate sessions are also available at an indoor ice skating rink.
Laugh N Play Kid Party Space (Marine Basin): Rotating schedule of kids' open play times on Saturdays and Sundays.
Brooklyn Click & Connect (Prospect Park South): Sunday drop-in open play for the Lego-loving children in your life.
I am a Brooklyn Mom. I help families with where to wake up on Saturday Mornings and how to spend them.
I love exploring everything the city has to offer with my children. (Now 4 & 7 years old.) I work full-time as a real estate agent at Corcoran, and if you’re exploring a move, curious about what your home could sell for, or intimidated as a first-time home buyer, let’s grab coffee!
Send me an email or a DM if you’ve got any feedback on what I missed or want to chat about making a move.