Brooklyn is where many New York City families with children actually live, which means the borough’s family-oriented infrastructure has been built and maintained by people who use it every day. The parks are excellent because families advocate for them. The playgrounds are well-maintained because parents notice when they’re not. The cultural institutions have family programming because the audience is large and consistent.
Brooklyn Bridge Park: The Waterfront Family Destination
Brooklyn Bridge Park is the best family destination in northern Brooklyn — 85 acres of free waterfront park with playgrounds at Pier 1, Pier 2, and the exceptional playground complex at Pier 6. Jane’s Carousel inside the park ($2 per ride) is genuinely magical for young children. The water views, the bridges, and the open space make it excellent for children of all ages. The bike and roller skating rink at Pier 2 (small fee, seasonal) adds activity infrastructure. Getting there: F/G train to York Street in DUMBO, or walk across the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan.
Prospect Park: The Great Family Park
Prospect Park’s Long Meadow (90 continuous acres) provides the most space for children to run freely of any park in Brooklyn. The free kayaking and canoeing program at the Boathouse on summer weekend mornings is one of the best activities available for families — no reservation, no cost, equipment provided. The Prospect Park Zoo (separate admission) is well-suited for younger children. The Carousel inside the park ($2 per ride) has been operating since 1952 and is one of the borough’s family traditions.
New York Aquarium (Coney Island): The Trip Worth Taking
The New York Aquarium at 602 Surf Avenue in Coney Island is one of the few major aquariums in the New York region. The Ocean Wonders: Sharks! exhibit — a purpose-built ocean-view shark tank — is the anchor. Sea lion shows, jellyfish tanks, and tide pool touch areas provide the range of experiences that make an aquarium worth a full visit with children. The bonus: the Coney Island boardwalk and beach are immediately adjacent. A complete family day can combine the aquarium with a beach visit and boardwalk food for a price that’s competitive with most NYC day trips.
Coney Island: The Boardwalk Experience
The Coney Island boardwalk from Stillwell Avenue to Brighton Beach is a 2.5-mile stretch of classic American beach boardwalk — Nathan’s Famous hot dogs (open since 1916), the Cyclone wooden roller coaster (1927, still operating), the Wonder Wheel Ferris wheel (1920, still operating), the beach, and the food vendors that have made Coney Island a cultural institution for over a century. The subway (D/F/N/Q to Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue) makes it about 45 minutes from Midtown Manhattan. Free to walk the boardwalk and beach; individual rides and attractions are ticketed.
Brooklyn Museum First Saturdays
The Brooklyn Museum’s First Saturday events (first Saturday of each month, free from 5-11pm) include programming specifically designed for families alongside the adult events. The Egyptian collection is particularly engaging for older children. The museum’s overall collection is more manageable in scale for children than the Metropolitan Museum — large enough to provide a full afternoon but not overwhelming.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best family activities in Brooklyn?
Brooklyn Bridge Park (free, playgrounds at every pier, Jane’s Carousel), Prospect Park (free, Long Meadow, Boathouse free kayaking), the Brooklyn Museum (free First Saturdays), the New York Aquarium in Coney Island, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and the Coney Island boardwalk.
Is Brooklyn good for kids?
Yes — Brooklyn has some of the best family-oriented public infrastructure in New York City. The borough’s parks are excellent for children, the New York Aquarium is one of the better aquariums in the region, and the Coney Island experience (boardwalk, beach, the Cyclone roller coaster) is specifically suited to families.
What is the best neighborhood in Brooklyn for families with kids?
Park Slope for the combination of Prospect Park access, excellent schools, and safe residential streets. Carroll Gardens for the Italian-American community character and strong public school options. Bay Ridge for the large family-oriented homes and quiet residential streets. DUMBO for Brooklyn Bridge Park access and the visual drama of the neighborhood.
Is the New York Aquarium worth visiting with kids?
Yes — the New York Aquarium at Coney Island has shark tanks, sea lion shows, and the bonus of the Coney Island boardwalk and beach immediately adjacent. The aquarium admission includes access to most exhibits. The combination of aquarium and beach makes for a complete family day.
Also see: our free Brooklyn things to do guide
Also see: our Brooklyn transportation guide
