Free kid-friendly events this week in Brooklyn (9/7-9/13)

It is back-to-school week for Brooklyn families and the weekend is looking busy: a free dance class for toddlers at City Point, BRIC’s back-to-school family day, the African Film Festival on Governors Island, and our own Back to School Party in Brooklyn Heights on Sunday. Plus, Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Friday, September 11, for all kid-friendly Jewish High Holiday events, click here.

All WEEK

Last week of the free outdoor pools | Borough-wide

Daily through Sunday, September 13 | 11am-7pm, with a 3-4pm cleaning break | Olympic- and intermediate-sized NYC Parks pools | Free | All ages

It is the last week of the outdoor pool season: the Olympic- and intermediate-sized pools stay open through Sunday, September 13, while the mini pools closed after Labor Day. One last swim at Red Hook, McCarren or Sunset Park before the covers go on — suits required, and bring a sturdy lock.

Molière in the Park: Don Juan | Prospect Park

Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, September 7, 8, 11 and 12 at 7pm; Sunday, September 13 at 3pm and 7pm | LeFrak Center at Lakeside | Free, RSVP requested | Skews older — best for teens and theater-curious big kids

Free open-air classical theater at Lakeside: Molière in the Park stages Don Juan with the rink as its amphitheater. Every performance is free with an RSVP on the Prospect Park Alliance calendar; the evening curtains make it one for older kids.

Free stroller walks | All week, borough-wide

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 Audubon Center (through October), and the free 5K parkrun Saturdays at 8am in Brooklyn Bridge Park, where kids seven and up can join the run. Dads have their own stroll and run clubs too — the full roundup lives in our stroller groups guide.

Free week at Domino Park | Williamsburg

Wednesday, September 9, salsa lesson 6:15pm and live music 7:15pm; Saturday, September 12, fitness class 10am and afternoon croquet | Domino Park, 300 Kent Avenue | Free | All ages — playground and fountain on site

Domino Park’s free season is still going: Salsa by the Water returns to Domino Square on Wednesday evening with a beginner lesson before the live band, and Saturday brings the 10am Summer Fitness Series and pop-up croquet on the Flex Field. The full calendar is on the park’s events page.

Family week at Greenpoint Library | Greenpoint

Wednesday–Friday, September 9–11 | mornings and afternoons | Greenpoint Library, 107 Norman Avenue at Leonard Street | Free | Toddlers through teens

The Environmental Education Center branch packs its week: Toddler Time on Wednesday at 10:30 and 11:15am, a back-to-school Polaroid craft for teens Wednesday at 4pm, Read and Play Thursday at 1pm, Teen Tech Time Thursday at 3pm, and Sensory Garden Hour Friday at 10:30am, with a garden educator in the rooftop demonstration garden Friday at 3pm. All free; the branch calendar has the details.

MONDAY

West Indian American Day Parade | Crown Heights

Monday, September 7 (Labor Day) | steps off mid-morning | Eastern Parkway, from Utica Avenue to Grand Army Plaza | Free | All ages along the route; the crowds are heavy and the sound systems are loud, so the western end near Grand Army Plaza is easier with little ones

The parade closes out Carnival with costume bands, steel pan and food stalls the length of Eastern Parkway. Bring ear protection for small children. Note that every Brooklyn Public Library branch is closed for the holiday, and schools are closed too.

Back to School Bash at Habana Outpost | Fort Greene

Monday, September 7 | 10am-2pm | Habana Outpost, 757 Fulton Street | Free | All ages

The solar-powered restaurant threw its annual back-to-school bash in the courtyard: free school supplies and eco-friendly recycled arts and crafts with the nonprofit Habana Works.

TUESDAY

Soccer Shots Free Fun Day | Brooklyn Heights

Tuesday, September 8 | 3:30-5:30pm | Cadman Plaza Park, Cadman Plaza East | Free | Best for toddlers and preschoolers through about age 8

A free drop-in session of the introductory soccer programme on the grass at Cadman Plaza, aimed at the youngest end of the age range. No registration listed, so turn up in trainers.

DUPLO Lego Time at Macon Library | Bedford-Stuyvesant

Tuesday, September 8 | 1-2:30pm | Macon Library, 361 Lewis Avenue at Macon Street | Free | Ages 5 and under with a caregiver

The branch sets out its DUPLO collection for an open build session, for children five and under with a participating caregiver.

WEDNESDAY

Cadman Park Library Storytime | Brooklyn Heights

Wednesday, September 9 | 10:30am | Brooklyn Heights Library, 286 Cadman Plaza West | Free | Babies and toddlers with caregivers

The Brooklyn Heights branch is back to its weekly midweek storytime after the Labor Day closure — songs, picture books and play for the youngest listeners.

Library Storytime in Fort Greene Park | Fort Greene

Wednesday, September 9 | 11am-12pm | Fort Greene Park, bottom of the monument stairs, northwest corner | Free | Birth to five with caregivers

Librarians from the Walt Whitman branch sing, read and play under the trees — great picture books read aloud, then playtime with the other kids. If the weather turns, the event page updates the day before.

Sounds of the Americas at The Plaza at 300 Ashland | Fort Greene

Wednesday, September 9 | 6-8pm | The Plaza at 300 Ashland, Flatbush and Lafayette Avenues | Free | All ages — an open plaza, easy with strollers

An open-air evening of music from across the Americas on the plaza, free and open to all. The series runs Wednesday evenings through September 30.

THURSDAY

Table Tennis Thursdays | Downtown Brooklyn

Thursdays, September 10, 17 and 24 | 12-2pm | Willoughby Plaza, Downtown Brooklyn | Free | All ages, paddles provided; easiest with school-age kids who can reach the table

Downtown Brooklyn Partnership sets up outdoor tables on the plaza for a two-hour lunchtime drop-in. It is the first day of school on the 10th, so this one is really an after-3pm-crowd sort of listing for the later dates.

Tween and Teen Create Space at Adams Street Library | Dumbo

Thursday, September 10 | 4:30-5:30pm | Adams Street Library, 9 Adams Street | Free | Tweens and teens

An after-school creative hour reserved for the big kids at the Dumbo branch. It runs Thursdays through the fall — September 17 is already on the calendar.

Nature Exploration: Tree Appreciation Month | Prospect Park

Thursday and Friday, September 10-11, 10am-3pm; Saturday and Sunday, September 12-13, 10am-1pm | Prospect Park Audubon Center | Free | Kids

Drop-in nature play at the Audubon Center, with September given over to trees — hands-on activities and guided looks at the forest, pitched at kid height.

FRIDAY

Day of Refuge, Remembrance and Community | Park Slope

Friday, September 11 | from 8am, continuing to 8pm Saturday | 267 Douglass Street, 4th floor | Free | Teens and grown-ups rather than young children

An open day of quiet space, community programming and remembrance marking the anniversary. It runs overnight into Saturday evening; the audience is teenagers and adults, so this is one for older kids.

SATURDAY

We Dance at City Point BKLYN | Downtown Brooklyn

Saturday, September 12 | 10-10:45am | City Point, main floor studio across from Joybird, 445 Albee Square West | Free with RSVP | Ages 18 months to 4 years with a caregiver

Mark Morris Dance Center brings its early-childhood class into the mall for a pop-up: movement, live music and early-childhood educators leading. RSVP in advance, it is a small room.

Dog-Friendly Storytime at Books Are Magic | Brooklyn Heights

Saturday, September 12 | 11am-12pm | Books Are Magic, 122 Montague Street | Free, RSVP encouraged | Picture-book age, roughly 2 to 6

Dan Yaccarino reads from I Am Murphy and I Am Waiting. Books Are Magic runs an author-led storytime most Saturdays and Sundays at the Montague store, and the book changes every week.

Free Kids Drama Class with The Drama Club NY | DUMBO

Saturday, September 12 | 10:30am-1pm | The RAT NYC, 68 Jay Street | Free | Ages 5 to 12

A free taster theatre class for school-age kids, games and scene work rather than a performance. Two and a half hours, so it suits a child who is happy to be dropped into a group.

BRIC Family Day: Back to School | Downtown Brooklyn

Saturday, September 12 | 12-4pm | BRIC House, 647 Fulton Street | Free | Toddlers through tweens

BRIC opens its building for an afternoon of hands-on art making, performances and giveaways timed to the start of term. Drop in any time in the four-hour window.

African Film Festival Family Day | Governors Island

Saturday, September 12 | 12-5pm | Nolan Park lawn, Governors Island | Free | All ages; rain date Sunday, September 13

The nineteenth annual Family Day: Sabar and Guinean dance workshops, Afro-Brazilian drumming, storytelling and double dutch through the afternoon, short films running 1-5pm and a textile workshop. The ferry from Brooklyn Bridge Park makes it a straightforward outing.

Free Kayaking at the Boathouse | Brooklyn Bridge Park

Saturday, September 12 | 10am-3pm | Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse | Free | Kids and family paddles by appointment

The volunteer-run Boathouse supplies the kayaks, paddles and life vests for a 20-minute paddle around the park’s protected embayment, skyline views included. September sessions run Saturdays only, and reservations open two weeks ahead.

Green Team Volunteer Gardening | Brooklyn Bridge Park

Saturday, September 12 | 10am-12pm | Brooklyn Bridge Park | Free, advance registration required | Families welcome by email

Weed, mulch and plant alongside the park’s horticulture team. Spaces are limited, the exact meeting spot is emailed a few days ahead, and families sign up by writing to volunteer@bbp.nyc.

Catch-and-Release Fishing in Brooklyn Bridge Park | Brooklyn Bridge Park

Saturday, September 12 | 10am-12pm | Pier 5 fishing stations | Free | Kids and up

Park staff run a free catch-and-release fishing lesson at the Pier 5 stations — gear provided, East River ecology included, and every fish goes straight back in.

Environmental Education Center Open Hours | Dumbo

Saturday and Sunday, September 12-13 | 1-5pm | 99 Plymouth Street, Brooklyn Bridge Park | Free | All ages

Drop in for tanks of local river life and hands-on exhibits — an easy free hour, rain or shine. Weekend open hours run 1-5pm.

Free Chamber Music on the Barge | Dumbo

Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13 | 2-3pm | Bargemusic, Fulton Ferry Landing | Free | Best for kids who can sit through an hour of music

Bargemusic’s admission-free weekend hour of chamber music, performed on a floating barge under the Brooklyn Bridge. Check the day’s program on the Bargemusic site before you go.

Brooklyn Americana Music Festival free family day | Dumbo

Saturday, September 12 | 2-10pm, kids show at 2pm | Dumbo Archway, 155 Water Street | Free | All ages early on — the evening sets skew grown-up and there is a bar on site

Ten acts of Americana, country, folk and blues under the Manhattan Bridge, opening at 2pm with an all-new half-hour kids show from Neha Jiwrajka. Seating is first come, first served.

Kids and Volunteers Fest at Commodore Barry Park | Fort Greene

Saturday, September 12 | 2-5pm | Commodore Barry Park, N Elliott Place between Flushing and Park Avenues | Free | All ages

Friends of Commodore Barry Park and Partnerships for Parks throw an afternoon fest on the lawn: snacks, prizes, giveaways, arts and crafts, and a promised surprise guest.

The People’s Runway at Borough Hall | Downtown Brooklyn

Saturday, September 12 | 6-9:30pm | Brooklyn Borough Hall Plaza, 209 Joralemon Street | Free | Standing room only — better with big kids and teens

Borough Hall Plaza turns into an outdoor catwalk for New York Fashion Week: five rising Brooklyn designers show their work at Borough President Antonio Reynoso and KidSuper designer Colm Dillane’s free community fashion show. First come, first served — registration is encouraged on the Borough President’s site.

President Street Block Party | Gowanus

Saturday, September 12 | 2-6pm | President Street between 3rd Avenue and Nevins Street, Gowanus | Free | All ages — the splash pad, chalk and temporary tattoos skew little-kid

President Street closes to cars for its first block party in more than two decades: a street splash pad, sidewalk chalk zones, temporary tattoo stations, herb planting, a bring-one-take-one book and puzzle swap, and an ice cream truck, from the Neighbors of Dolly’s Park. No website — just show up.

Park Slope Open Streets | Park Slope

Saturday, September 12 | 2-10pm | 5th Avenue between Union Street and 4th Street | Free | All ages

Fifth Avenue goes car-free with free kids’ activities, three live bands and dining al fresco along the avenue — and it happens every Saturday through the fall.

Clixo Builds & Brews at TALEA | Williamsburg

Saturday, September 12 | afternoon — no set time posted | TALEA Beer Co. Taproom, 87 Richardson Street | Free | Kids build, grown-ups can have a beer
The magnetic building toy takes over the taproom’s BYOBaby afternoon: hands-on Clixo stations for families while parents enjoy a cold one. Drop in and check the announcement above for timing updates.

SUNDAY

Waterfront Walks History Tour | Brooklyn Bridge Park

Sunday, September 13 | 10:30am-12pm | Meets at the Pier 1 entrance | Free, advance registration required | Better with big kids (60-90 minutes on foot)

Park docents lead a free walking tour from Pier 1 to Pier 3, covering the working waterfront’s history, the park’s design and its ecology.

Storytime at Books Are Magic | Brooklyn Heights

Sunday, September 13 | 11am-12pm | Books Are Magic, 122 Montague Street | Free, RSVP encouraged | Picture-book age, roughly 2 to 6

Susan Straub and Anait Semirdzhyan read Ring Ring. Same room and same hour as Saturday, so if you miss one you can take the other.

Our Back to School Party in Brooklyn Heights | Brooklyn Heights

Sunday, September 13 | 1-4pm | Montague Street | Free | All ages, babies through tweens

Join Brooklyn Bridge Parents for our annual Back to School Party during Open Streets on Montague with dozens of free kids’ activities! We will have an obstacle course, arts & crafts, games, building activities, and much more. Enjoy car-free blocks on Montague Street from Clinton – Henry & Henry – Hicks. Best for ages 0 – 12. Rain or shine — free RSVP here.

Teen Service Series: Green Prospect Park | Prospect Park

Sunday, September 13 | 10am-12pm | Prospect Park | Free, registration required | Teens and tweens

Two hours of hands-on park stewardship with the Alliance crews — a good outdoor volunteer slot for a teen; register on the event page.

Smorgasburg Matsuri: Japan Meets Brooklyn | Prospect Park

Sunday, September 13 | 11am-6pm | Breeze Hill, Prospect Park | Free entry, food for sale | All ages

The Sunday food market runs a Japan-meets-Brooklyn matsuri edition alongside its regular vendors. Entry is free — bring picnic money.

Black Sandwich and Lemonade Showdown at Lefferts Historic House | Prospect Park

Sunday, September 13 | 12-6pm | Lefferts Historic House | Free, RSVP requested | All ages

A sandwich and lemonade showdown on the lawn of the historic house, free with an RSVP on the Prospect Park Alliance calendar.

Sandcastle Competition at Rockaway Beach | The Rockaways

Sunday, September 13 | 1-4pm | Rockaway Beach at Beach 108th Street | Free, RSVP requested | All ages

Creative Time’s artist sandcastle competition returns to the shoreline for the first time since 2013. Seven artist teams sculpt the sand through the afternoon before guest judges — comedian Julio Torres among them — crown a winner. RSVP on the event page.

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