Looking for an activity while your kids are claiming boredom? Check out our top 10 picks for things to do with kids in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
As Brooklyn is climbing the charts of up-and-coming places to live in the city, Williamsburg is in the spotlight more than ever. Located just south of Greenpoint and north of Bedford-Stuyvesant lays the neighborhood that is home to many growing families, who are being served with an awesome set of kid-friendly activities. Whether it’s a rainy Saturday, a boring afternoon after school, or time for your child’s birthday, Williamsburg has everything to cater to your child’s needs! And, we’ve compiled a list to guide you:
NY Kids Club
2 Northside Piers
718-782-2622
If you’re looking for a place where you can do it all, you’ll find it at NY Kids Club. Whether you’re looking for a new class for your child, a fun play space away from home, an after-school or camp program, or birthday party arena, it’s here! Classes include tennis, chess, gymnastics, sports and fitness, music, Spanish, dance and theater, science, and art. It also offers drop-in classes, so you don’t have to commit to just one, or if it’s more of a last-minute decision. In the end, your child will never be bored here with all of the possibilities.
Smorgasburg
90 Kent Ave.
718-928-6603
If you live in the Big Apple and have not yet been to Smorgasburg, what have you been doing? It’s time to give in and go. You’ll witness 100 vendors, so be sure to bring your appetite! And with so many options, your children will surely find something to cure their hunger pangs as well, whether that’s pizza, a sandwich, or ice cream. Smorgasburg is held every Saturday from 11am-6pm, rain or shine, at East River State Park. This market is truly one-of-a-kind, and something all New Yorkers pride themselves on. Make yourself one of those people.
Leonard Library
81 Devoe St.
718-486-3365
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10am-6pm; Tuesday, 1-8pm; Thursday 10am-8pm; Saturday 10am-5pm
Finding an easily accessible library with a peaceful setting is vital to growing up, which is why we are making it easy for you. Leonard Library is part of Brooklyn Public Library’s Carnegie branches and has been around since 1908. Although not as big as the central library, some may say that makes it homier. So stop by and grab a few books for you and your kids to enjoy. And, if you’re up for something a little bit different, it hosts many events daily, including yoga, coloring, building with Legos, teen tech time, and Bubbles the Clown.
William Sheridan Playground
289 Berry St.
Named after and dedicated to the New York Police Officer killed during WWI, William Sheridan Playground is located blocks from the East River and has been around for quite some time now (though renovated). Although not huge, the park offers a lot of fun for kids of all ages. Attractions include the playground portion itself with a large climbing structure and slide, as well as basketball and handball courts, and a lot of room to run around (which we don’t see often here in the city). So change up your normal playground routine, and try out William Sheridan Playground next time.
Brooklyn Mac
173 Montrose Ave.
718-963-3646
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11am-11pm; Sunday, 11am-10pm
Believe me—once you try Brooklyn Mac, you will never, ever go back. Brooklyn Mac has a simple menu of vegetarian and meaty mac and cheese platters named after Brooklyn neighborhoods. Each are a decent price, no matter what size you choose. Any place with a motto that is “We don’t just love mac and cheese. We live and breathe it,” is a place we want to be. We’ve never heard of a child denying macaroni and cheese, so it’s time to give the kids what they want (even if you want it more). Plus, what’s better than an entire restaurant dedicated to one of our favorite comfort foods of all time?
Museum of Food and Drink
62 Bayard St.
718-387-2845
Hours: Wednesday-Thursday, 12-5pm; Friday, 12-8pm; Saturday-Sunday, 12-6pm
Cost: $10; $8 for students, low-income, and seniors; $5 for ages 6-17; free for children 5 and younger
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Visitors at MOFAD Lab use the Smell Synth, an exhibit that can create more than half a million different aromas at the press of a button. |
While the museum is still on its way to becoming a large-scale museum, the MOFAD Lab is now open to visitors. Here, exhibits will be on display until further openings. Currently, the museum is displaying Flavor: Making It and Faking It, where visitors can try out unique smell machines and taste tests. The exhibit’s purpose is to show that our favorite tastes from our favorite foods can be simulated without any food, but rather science. It also offers a variety of food-filled events, so be sure to check it out!
Brooklyn Bowl
61 Wythe Ave.
718-963-3369
Hours: Daily, 6pm to close (ages 21 and older); Family Bowl: Saturday, 12-5pm, and Sunday, 12-6pm
Cost: $4.95 shoe rentals; $25 per lane per half hour; up to eight people per lane
On a daily basis, Brooklyn Bowl might be a little too rock ‘n’ roll for families, especially with young children. The vibe simulates a concert-scene, the food mirrors any southern American restaurant, and of course, there’s the bowling too. But on the weekends, Brooklyn Bowl opens up some hours dedicated to family fun. Although bowling is often underrated these days, take the time to tie up your old bowling shoes this weekend and introduce your children to what it was like when you were growing up.
Sweethaus
135 Metropolitan Ave.
718-710-6627
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 8am-10pm; Friday-Saturday, 8am-12am
Originally opened in Charlottesville, VA, Sweethaus has been serving those with a sweet tooth since 2011. It describes itself as a mom n’ pop cupcake and candy shop, but it is so much more than that. The Williamsburg location is serving more than just its famous cupcakes; it’s serving food options such as avocado toast, mac and cheese, pistachio waffles, salads, and more. The cupcakes come in mini form, classic, and deluxe. Sweethaus also offers its dessert services for events such as weddings, parties, or whatever your needs may be.
Baked in Brooklyn
242 Wythe Ave.
718-384-2300
Hours: Sunday-Monday, 12-6pm; Wednesday-Friday, 12-10pm; Saturday 11am-10pm
If you’re down to get your creative side on, stop by Baked in Brooklyn. Here, you can pick a piece of pottery from hundreds of options, from mugs to piggy banks, and then paint away! No appointments are needed, unless you have a party larger than four. Since there is a flat fee, you are free to explore any colors and designs your artistic heart desires. Children may also choose to enroll in the kid’s clay class, a four-week program that will guide them to mold their own pieces. And, for parents, Baked in Brooklyn isn’t just for kids! Stop by a night with some girlfriends and don’t forget the wine!
Twinkle Playspace
144 Frost St.
718-349-1300
Hours: Monday-Friday, 10am-6pm; Saturday-Sunday 8-11:30am
Cost: $25 for first time pass; $35 for daily pass
Finally, a spot for the 6 and younger crowd! No too high height or age requirements here. Twinkle Playspace is every toddler’s dream—4,500 square feet of pure fun. The exhibits range from tree forts, to fire trucks, to a graffiti zone, and a barnyard. Children can truly let their imaginations soar for a few hours. Socks must be worn at all times, and children must be accompanied by a parent. This is also a great spot for birthday parties, but be sure to check it out early!
Main image: You can find hundreds of food options at Smorgasburg in Williamsburg.
Smorgasburg/John von Pamer
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