This week, families can head to Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Harvest Festival, a Halloween dog parade on Smith Street, fall festivals in Domino Park and at Prospect Farm, free movies under the stars in Sunset Park and story times at libraries from Greenpoint to Bay Ridge. Be sure not to miss Brooklyn Bridge Parents’ Neighbors & Makers Kids Zone with free kids’ activities, magic shows and kids dance party on car-free Smith Street in Carroll Gardens on Saturday.
ALL WEEK
Every week | Mornings, days vary | Prospect Park, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn Bridge Park and more | Free | Babies and toddlers in strollers
Brooklyn’s free stroller groups walk every week of the year: Mommy & Me walks Sundays at 10am in Prospect Park, Stroller Mami Walk Mondays at 10am in a rotating neighborhood, the Cobble Hill Walking Club on weekday mornings at Cobble Hill Park, Prospect Park Stroller Walks Thursdays at 10am from the Boathouse (this week’s is Thursday, October 15, RSVP requested), and parkrun Saturdays at 8am in Brooklyn Bridge Park. There are dads’ stroll and run clubs too.
Tuesday, October 13 to Friday, October 16 | 10am–6pm | St. John’s Park, Crown Heights, and Nostrand Playground, Flatbush | Free | No registration
An NYC Parks staff member leads free active outdoor play in the playground. No registration needed.
Thursday, October 15 and Friday, October 16, 3–5pm; Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18, 1–5pm | 99 Plymouth Street | Free | Drop-in, all ages
Brooklyn Bridge Park’s nature center is open for free drop-in hours.
Thursday, October 15 and Friday, October 16, 10am–3pm; Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18, 10am–1pm | Prospect Park Audubon Center at the Boathouse | Free
Prospect Park Alliance runs free nature programs at the Audubon Center: Leaf Art, where kids craft art inspired by the shapes of fall leaves, and Nature Detective.
Friday, October 16 to Sunday, October 18 | 12–4pm | Old Stone House, Washington Park, 336 3rd Street | Suggested $3 donation, no one turned away | Families
The Old Stone House in Washington Park is open Friday to Sunday afternoons. This weekend it also hosts a Halloween crafting workshop on Saturday and a puppet pop-up on Sunday (both below).
Friday, October 16 to Sunday, October 18 | Hours vary by site | Free at the family-friendly drop-in sites | Families
More than 30 sites across the city flag kid-friendly features and programs for OHNY Weekend, and almost all are drop-in, no tickets needed. In Brooklyn that includes the 1914 Lehigh Valley Railroad Barge in Red Hook (Saturday); the Brooklyn Navy Yard holds its own open house that weekend (below). Our guide has every Brooklyn family site.
MONDAY
Monday, October 12 | 10am–3pm | Prospect Park Audubon Center at the Boathouse | Free | Kids and families
Prospect Park Alliance runs free nature programs through the Indigenous Peoples’ Day school holiday, including Leaf Litter, a look at what hides beneath the leaves on the forest floor. Our guide to day camps for when public schools are closed has the drop-in options.
Monday, October 12 | 10am–12pm | Hannah Senesh Community Day School | Free | Prospective students for grades 6–8 and their families
Prospective middle schoolers join classes while school is in session and try activities, while families meet middle school leadership and current Senesh families.
TUESDAY
Tuesday, October 13 | 10–11:30am | The Green-House at Green-Wood, 750 Fifth Avenue at 25th Street | Free, registration required | Ages 1 to 4
Tuesday mornings are toddler time at Green-Wood’s Green-House, with play and activities sized for the littlest visitors.
Tuesday, October 13 | 1:15pm and 2pm | Greenpoint Library, 107 Norman Avenue | Library program | Infants not yet walking
Baby storytime with books, songs, bounces and tickles. Tickets are handed out first come, first served at the information desk.
Tuesday, October 13 | 1–8pm | Williamsburgh Library, 240 Division Avenue | Library program | Ages 5 and up
Pick up a craft kit to take home and make your own creation, while supplies last.
Tuesday, October 13 | 2:30–5:30pm | Pacific Library, 25 Fourth Avenue | Library program | Ages 0–5 with a caregiver
An afternoon of open play for little ones and their grown-ups.
Tuesday, October 13 to Friday, October 16 | 3–4pm | Bay Ridge Library, 7223 Ridge Boulevard | Library program | Ages 0–5, with a table for older kids
Open play for the under-fives every weekday afternoon this week, with a play and craft table set up for older siblings. Space is limited.
Tuesday, October 13 | 3–3:45pm | Park Slope Library, 431 Sixth Avenue | Library program | Ages 5–12, younger kids with an adult
Make a take-home craft with the children’s librarians.
Tuesday, October 13 | 3:30–4:30pm | Leonard Library, 81 Devoe Street | Library program | Ages 4 to 12
For kids who find the busy children’s area overwhelming, the downstairs auditorium opens as a calm space with sensory stations.
Tuesday, October 13 | 3:30–4pm | Brooklyn Heights Library, 286 Cadman Plaza West | Library program | Pre-K
Kids vote for their favorite activities and learn about elections, and parents and caregivers can register to vote and pick up non-partisan election information.
Tuesday, October 13 | 4–4:30pm | Adams Street Library, 9 Adams Street | Library program, registration opens 48 hours ahead | Ages 3–6
A voting-themed storytime with a free book giveaway, and grown-ups can register to vote for the upcoming election.
Tuesday, October 13 | 4–4:30pm | Sunset Park Library, 5108 Fourth Avenue | Library program | Ages 0–8
Come in pajamas for a storytime at the end of the day.
Tuesday, October 13 | 6:30–7pm | Leonard Library, 81 Devoe Street | Library program, no registration | Ages 0–5 and older
Quiet stories and gentle songs to wind down for bed. Pajamas, stuffed animals and blankets welcome.
WEDNESDAY
Wednesday, October 14 | 11–11:45am | Bottom of the monument stairs, northwest corner of Fort Greene Park | Library program | All ages
Librarians from Brooklyn Public Library sing, read and play under the trees with kids and their caregivers.
Wednesday, October 14 | 10:30am and 11:15am | Brooklyn Heights Library, 286 Cadman Plaza West | Library program, registration required | 18 months to 3 years
Books, music and movement, and a chance to meet other families.
Wednesday, October 14 | 10:30am Toddler Time, 11:15am Babies & Books | Adams Street Library, 9 Adams Street | Library program, registration required | Crawling and walking toddlers at 10:30, lap babies at 11:15
Two back-to-back storytimes, split by stage: babies who are not yet crawling or walking go to Babies & Books.
Wednesday, October 14 | 10:30am and 11:15am | Greenpoint Library, 107 Norman Avenue | Library program, tickets first come, first served | Walking toddlers
Songs, rhymes and books for walking toddlers. Caregiver and child both need to be there to get a ticket.
Wednesday, October 14 | 10:30–11am, doors open 10am | Williamsburgh Library, 240 Division Avenue | Library program | Ages 5 and under
Books, rhymes, songs and movement. Come early to play with toys and make friends.
Wednesday, October 14 | 10:30am Babies & Books, 11:15am Toddler Time, 1pm Read and Play | Sunset Park Library, 5108 Fourth Avenue | Library program | Birth to 3 years
Stories, songs and rhymes for babies up to 18 months, then for toddlers 18 months to 3 years, with Read and Play in the afternoon.
Wednesday, October 14 | 10:30am and 11:15am | Park Slope Library, 431 Sixth Avenue | Library program, online registration opens 24 hours ahead | Birth to 3 years
Stories, songs and rhymes for babies at 10:30 and toddlers at 11:15. Only families who registered online are admitted.
Wednesday, October 14 | 10:30am Toddler Time, 11:15am Babies & Books | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, enter through the gate on Carroll Street | Library program | Walkers at 10:30, babies not yet walking at 11:15
Off-site storytimes while the Carroll Gardens Library is renovated, with a stroller valet at the gate.
Wednesday, October 14 | 10:15am and 11:15am | Macon Library, 361 Lewis Avenue | Library program, online registration opens 24 hours ahead | Birth to 5
Stories, songs and rhymes for babies, toddlers and their caregivers. One registration covers a family group.
Wednesday, October 14 | 11–11:30am | Bay Ridge Library, 7223 Ridge Boulevard | Library program | Birth to 5
Reading and songs for the first half, playtime for the second.
Wednesday, October 14 | 11am–12pm | Clinton Hill Library, 380 Washington Avenue | Library program | Birth to 5
A new art project every week for the littlest artists.
Wednesday, October 14 | 3:30–4:15pm | Leonard Library, 81 Devoe Street | Library program | Ages 5 and up, younger kids with an adult
This week’s afternoon craft is a fall leaf collage made from scrap paper.
Wednesday, October 14 | 6–7pm | Greenlight Bookstore, 686 Fulton Street | Free, RSVP | Ages 9 to 12
This month’s pick is Tiffany D. Jackson’s Blood in the Water. Pizza provided.
Starting Wednesday, October 14 | 4–5pm | Brooklyn | Free | Ages 6–9
Precious Moments is a professionally facilitated bereavement group offered through Calvary Hospital for children who have lost a parent, sibling, grandparent or other important person. Exact dates are set with families during intake.
THURSDAY
Thursday, October 15 | 10–11am | JJ Byrne Playground at Old Stone House & Washington Park, 336 Third Street | Free | Ages 0–5
Children’s performer Suzi Shelton’s interactive concerts with giant bubbles, music and dancing, presented by Park Slope Parents and the Old Stone House. The Halloween costume party is October 29.
Thursday, October 15 | 10–11am | Blue Park House, 90 Kent Avenue | Free | Ages 5 and younger
A different nature theme each week, with a craft and a guided storytime.
Thursday, October 15 | 10:30–11:30am | Sunset Park Library, 5108 Fourth Avenue | Library program | Birth to 5
A bilingual storytime with stories and songs.
Thursday, October 15 | 10:30am and 11:15am | Brooklyn Heights Library, 286 Cadman Plaza West | Library program, registration opens 48 hours ahead | Ages 0–18 months
Stories and songs for babies. Doors close ten minutes after the start.
Thursday, October 15 | 11–11:30am | Clinton Hill Library, 380 Washington Avenue | Library program | Birth to 5
Songs, stories and rhymes that get little ones’ brains and bodies moving.
Thursday, October 15 | 2–5pm | Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Avenue | Free during Community Access Thursday hours, RSVP requested | Families
The sixth annual Antiracist Family Day, with Brooklyn Public Library, brings bilingual music and storytimes, local author book signings and protest art workshops to the museum rooftop.
Thursday, October 15 | 3–3:30pm | Environmental Education Center, 99 Plymouth Street | Free | Preschoolers and caregivers
Librarians from the Adams Street Library lead a nature storytime with songs and rhymes in Brooklyn Bridge Park’s nature center.
Thursday, October 15 | 3–5:30pm | The Adam Space at BAMcafé, Peter Jay Sharp Building, 30 Lafayette Avenue | Free | Teens only, ages 13–18
The Halloween and Day of the Dead edition of BAM’s free after-school series, with arts experiences curated by teens, free pizza and a raffle. First-timers RSVP ahead.
Thursday, October 15 | 3:30–5pm | Brooklyn Heights Library, 286 Cadman Plaza West | Library program, no registration | Ages 5 and up
This week’s film is Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005, rated G).
Thursday, October 15 | 3:30–4:15pm | Central Library Youth Wing, 10 Grand Army Plaza | Library program | Kids
A story by author and illustrator Ezra Jack Keats, a related craft, and a free book to keep.
Thursday, October 15, 4–8pm and Saturday, October 17, 1–5pm | Waterfront Museum, 290 Conover Street | Free | Families
Free tours for families aboard the Waterfront Museum’s barge.
Thursday, October 15 | 6–6:30pm | Greenpoint Library, 107 Norman Avenue | Library program | All ages
An evening storytime in the rooftop garden, weather permitting, or on the rug in the children’s area.
Thursday, October 15 | 7pm, film at dusk | Central Lawn, Sunset Park | Free | Rated PG
NYC Parks screens the 2002 live-action Scooby-Doo on the lawn. Bring a blanket.
Thursday, October 15 | 6:30–8:30pm | Brooklyn Stitch Studio | Free | For grown-ups
An evening for parents to bring kids’ clothes that need mending.
FRIDAY
Friday, October 16 | 10:15–10:45am | Jane’s Carousel, 1 Old Dock Street, Brooklyn Bridge Park | Free | Birth to 5
The Adams Street children’s librarian leads songs, rhymes and books at the carousel before it opens for the day. It returns October 23, October 30 (a Halloween edition) and November 6.
Friday, October 16 | 10:30–11:30am | Greenpoint Library, 107 Norman Avenue | Library program, no registration | Ages 0–5
A short garden-themed storytime, then time together in the library’s rooftop garden.
Friday, October 16 | 10:30–11:30am | Williamsburgh Library, 240 Division Avenue | Library program | Birth to 5
Rhymes, songs and stories in Spanish.
Friday, October 16 | 11–11:30am | The Amazing Garden, 58 Carroll Street | Library program | All ages
An all-ages autumn storytime outdoors with the Carroll Gardens Library. Weather permitting; not a drop-off program.
Friday, October 16 | 11–11:45am | Bedford Library, 496 Franklin Avenue | Library program | Babies and toddlers
Gentle movement, belly breaths, soothing music and sensory play.
Friday, October 16 | 11–11:45am | Red Hook interim library, 362 Van Brunt Street | Library program, no registration | Ages 0–5
Stories, songs, puppets and playtime at the branch’s interim location.
Friday, October 16 | 2–4pm | The Green-House at Green-Wood, 750 Fifth Avenue | Free | Ages 2 to 5
Brooklyn Public Library’s Bookmobile parks at Green-Wood from 2 to 3pm, then stories and crafts run from 3 to 4pm.
Friday, October 16 | Seating 5pm, runway 6pm | Dumbo Archway Plaza | Free, no tickets needed
Six Brooklyn designers bring the runway to the Dumbo Archway Plaza, the Dumbo Improvement District says.
SATURDAY
Saturday, October 17 | Kids Zone 11am–2pm, fair 10am–6pm | Smith Street, Kids Zone between Degraw and Union Streets | Free | All ages
Brooklyn Bridge Parents and the Merchants of Smith Street fill car-free Smith Street with dozens of free kids’ activities: games, building, STEM and hands-on crafts, plus magic shows at 11:30am and 1pm and a Hype Dance party at 12:30pm. Thank you to our sponsor BASIS Independent Brooklyn.
Saturday, October 17 | 11am–3pm | Pier 6, Atlantic Avenue at Furman Street | Free | All ages
The park’s annual fall celebration brings live music (Hopalong Andrew at noon, Doll Parts at 2pm), arts and crafts, a stiltwalker, face painting and a mini pumpkin patch where each child picks and decorates a pumpkin.
Saturday, October 17 | 3–5pm | Smith Street at Union Street | Free, registration encouraged | All ages
The Merchants of Smith Street and Exit9 Gift Emporium roll out a red carpet for dogs and owners in Halloween costumes. The first 30 dogs signed up get a gift bag.
Saturday, October 17 | 11am–12pm | Old Stone House, 336 Third Street | Free ticket | Families
Families design and build light-up tree banners to carry in the Park Slope Civic Council Children’s Halloween Parade on October 31.
Saturday, October 17 | 10am–12pm | Check in at the Green-House, 750 Fifth Avenue | Free, tickets required for everyone 2 and up | Ages 5 and older with families
Green-Wood and History UnErased introduce families to LGBTQ+ historical figures buried at the cemetery, then kids make clay art inspired by them.
Saturday, October 17 | 11am | Books Are Magic, 122 Montague Street | Free, RSVP encouraged | Kids
The author reads Mia’s Cheetah, about a girl who discovers the magic waiting outside her car window on a long drive to Nana’s house.
Saturday, October 17 | Library programs | Brooklyn Heights, Adams Street, Bedford, Central and Windsor Terrace libraries
Family Storytime for all ages at Brooklyn Heights Library (11am, no registration); a mindful movement storytime with meditation and light yoga for ages 3–8 at Adams Street (11am); Saturday Storytime at Bedford (11am); Japanese Storytime (10am) and Saturday Storytime (11am) at Central Library; and Read to a Therapy Dog at Windsor Terrace for ages 5–12 (10:30am, sign up at the desk from 10am).
Saturday, October 17 | 2pm | Sunset Park Library, 5108 Fourth Avenue | Library program | Ages 4–8 with families
Teaching artist Cynthia Reynolds leads hands-on art activities exploring contemporary art and cultural expression.
Saturday, October 17 | 11am–12pm | Bay Ridge Library, 7223 Ridge Boulevard | Library program, no registration | Kids
Learn the game with Chess Master William Del Castillo.
Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18 | 12–4pm | Concert Grove Pavilion, Prospect Park | Free | Families
Prospect Park Alliance naturalists help kids design autumn leaf window clings that keep migrating birds from hitting glass, and explore life in the leaf litter. Stay + Play games and puzzles run 12–3pm. Cancelled in rain.
Saturday, October 17 | 11am–4pm | Hart to Hart Community Garden, 108 Hart Street | Free | All ages
Pumpkin and plant pot painting, face painting, Día de los Muertos crafts and herb harvesting in the community garden.
Saturday, October 17 | 11am–1pm | Herbert Von King Cultural Arts Center, 670 Lafayette Avenue | Free, registration required | Kids
NYC Parks leads a hands-on workshop to decorate a traditional sugar skull.
Saturday, October 17 | 10am–2pm | 378 Throop Avenue | Free | All ages
A weekly Saturday space for kids to explore movement and build confidence through dance, with games, music and food.
Saturday, October 17 | 12–5pm | Enter at Building 77 | Free, RSVP | All ages
The Yard opens its 300-acre campus as part of Open House New York Weekend. Our guide to free, family-friendly Open House New York sites in Brooklyn has the rest of the weekend.
Saturday, October 17 | 1–4pm | Coney Island Boardwalk, West 10th Street to Stillwell Avenue | Free
Trick-or-treat Boo Stops along the Boardwalk, with face painting, pumpkin painting, crafts, a children’s show and costume contests for kids and pets.
Saturday, October 17 | Hours vary by block | Free
Three blocks go car-free for NYC DOT’s Trick-or-Streets: Chauncey Street, Howard to Saratoga Avenue (2–5:30pm); Newkirk Avenue, Coney Island Avenue to East 17th Street (12:30–8:30pm); and Sharon Street, Morgan Avenue to Olive Street, for Friends of Cooper Park’s block party (1–4pm).
Saturday, October 17 | Family drop-in workshop 3–5pm | Six Coasts by Smorgasburg, near Soissons Landing | Free, RSVP | Children and families
An art project drawing on the Latin American piñata tradition, with a drop-in workshop for kids and families.
Saturday, October 17 | 2–8pm | Six Coasts by Smorgasburg, 146 Carder Road, first right off the ferry | Free, RSVP
A free outdoor dance party closes the 2026 Governors Island Arts season. Brooklyn-based DJ Mickey Pérez and DJ L3Ni of Soul in the Horn blend Black American dance music with rhythms from Africa, the Caribbean and South America, on Karlala Soundsystem’s hot-pink speakers.
Saturday, October 17 | 3–5:30pm | Slope Comics, 151 Seventh Avenue | Free ticket | Kids
An afternoon of card trading for kids only.
Saturday, October 17 | 7pm, film at dusk | Bush Terminal Park, 43rd Street and First Avenue | Free | Rated PG
NYC Parks screens Toy Story 5 in the waterfront park. Bring a blanket.
Saturdays and Sundays through December | Manhattan Bridge Archway, 80 Pearl Street | Free entry
The vintage and makers market runs under the Manhattan Bridge arch every weekend.
Saturday, October 17 | 9:30–10:30am | Fontainhas Dukaan, 28 Jay Street | Free with RSVP | Kids and their grown-ups
Meera Venkatesan, an award-winning performance storyteller from Bangalore who is visiting New York for October, tells Indian folk tales in an interactive hour of stories, voices and audience participation at Fontainhas, the Indian kitchen and wine bar on Jay Street.
SUNDAY
Sunday, October 18 | 10am–1pm | Old Stone House, Washington Park, 336 Third Street | Free, RSVP | All ages
White Bird and families build Halloween puppets that will march in the Park Slope Children’s Halloween Parade. Drop by any time.
Sunday, October 18 | 11am | The BookMark Shoppe, 8415 Third Avenue | Bookstore event | Kids
The author reads Monster’s Day at School and Sheba the Alley Cat, with crafts and swag.
Sunday, October 18 | 10am–7pm | Montague Street, Clinton to Hicks | Free | All ages
Montague goes car-free with Art for Kids with Miss Piera and Le Meraviglie at 108 Montague (12–5pm, free art activities for children), giant chess and lawn games, and pickleball from noon.
Sunday, October 18 | 11am–6pm | Smorgasburg’s Prospect Park site at Breeze Hill, off Lincoln Road | Free entry, food for sale | All ages
Smorgasburg and Prospect Park Alliance turn the Sunday market into a Diwali celebration with South Asian restaurants and chefs, Diwali-inspired specials, and cultural performances and activities.
Sunday, October 18 | 12:30–5:30pm | Powers Street Community Garden, 276 Powers Street | Free | Kids
The garden group hosts an afternoon of treats and tricks among the beds.
Sunday, October 18 | 12–4pm | Prospect Farm, 1194 Prospect Avenue | Free | All ages
Music, a bake sale, arts and crafts for all ages and a compost giveaway at the community farm.
Sunday, October 18 | 1–4pm | Domino Square, Domino Park | Free, RSVP | All ages
Fall crafts, face painting, contra dancing and more on the waterfront. Bring gently used baby and kids’ items to donate to North Brooklyn Angels.
Sunday, October 18 | 10am–2pm | Fort Greene Park Visitor Center | Free, register through Open House New York
Urban Park Rangers share the history of the Fort Greene Park monument to the 11,000 people who died on British prison ships during the Revolutionary War.
Sunday, October 18 | 2pm | Bedford Library, 496 Franklin Avenue | Library program | Kids
Actress Grace Byers and illustrators Keturah A. Bobo and Lisbeth Checo celebrate their new picture book, a joyful ode to the body.
Sunday, October 18 | 3–5pm | Hannah Senesh Community Day School | Free | Prospective lower school families
Families rotate through classrooms, meet teachers and try hands-on activities.
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