Looking for ways to keep kids entertained indoors in New York City? I’ve been researching some fantastic options, and it turns out Brooklyn is packed with fun places. From art studios to ninja courses, there’s a wide variety of activities for different ages and interests. Many places focus on hands-on experiences, making them great for learning and playing.
Indoor Adventures in Brooklyn
Creative Play and Art Studios
If your children love to get creative, there are several art studios that welcome young artists. Le Meraviglie Art in Brooklyn Heights offers art and cooking classes starting at $40 per class. They have a special Sensory Play Atelier where little ones can explore different textures and materials like clay, sand, and natural elements. It sounds like a great way for them to experiment freely.
Another excellent art spot is Private Picassos in Clinton Hill. They offer drop-in art making sessions starting around $20, or you can get a day pass for $50 for unlimited projects. They also have weekly free storytimes every Tuesday at 11 am. For younger kids, Little Makers Art Studio in Prospect Heights offers programs for children as young as 18 months, with open studio time available for $45 per session.
For a different kind of hands-on experience, Loop of the Loom in DUMBO offers Kids Fiber Arts Club classes for ages 8-14, focusing on weaving projects like belts, hats, and bags. They also have private group sessions for ages 6 and up.
Active Play and Obstacle Courses
For kids who love to move, Brooklyn offers a variety of active indoor spaces. Ferox Ninja Playground in DUMBO is a huge indoor ninja park, perfect for ages 2-12. Drop-in play costs around $23.92 for an hour or $38.28 for two hours. It features trampolines, a ninja warrior course, and a zipline, which sounds like a lot of fun for active kids.
In Williamsburg, Area 53 Adventure Park offers a ropes course, rock climbing, a zipline, and slides, with admission ranging from $42 on weekdays to $48 on weekends. For younger children, House of Wonder in Clinton Hill is a Scandi-inspired family cafe with an open play area recommended for ages 0-6. The drop-in rate is about $15.99 per hour per child.
For toddlers and younger children, The Kids Town in Park Slope provides open play, an after-school program, and art classes for ages up to 8. Admission is around $25 for 90 minutes. Another option for younger ones is Twinkle Playspace in Williamsburg, which requires reservations and offers 2-hour day passes for about $23 per child.
Games and Entertainment Centers
If gaming is more your family’s speed, DUMBO has a few interesting spots. 3rd Place from the Sun is a board game and Dungeons & Dragons spot with private rooms, best for ages 7 and up. Drop-in play is $15 per person for up to two hours. Randolph Beer in DUMBO offers vintage arcade games and pinball, with tokens at $1. Kids can play weekdays before 6 pm, Saturdays before 2 pm, and all day on Sundays.
Area 53 Laser Tag & Mini-Bowling in DUMBO is suitable for ages 8 and up, costing around $39.99 during the week for laser tag. For a classic experience, Chuck E. Cheese in Downtown Brooklyn offers arcade games, trampolines, and live shows. You can buy a Play Pass for $7.99 or an “All You Can Play” pass for 60 minutes for $19.99.
Dave & Buster’s in Downtown Brooklyn also has a wide array of arcade games, and they offer Eat & Play Combos starting at $19.99 on weekdays. For a unique gaming experience, Shipwrecked in Red Hook offers indoor miniature golf and arcade games, with Sensory Nights for a more comfortable experience. Their mini golf is priced around $16.99-$21.99 depending on age.
What are some places for younger children?
For very young children, House of Wonder in Clinton Hill is a great choice for ages 0-6, offering open play and a cafe. Another option is Shine Smiles in Clinton Hill, geared towards toddlers and younger kids with various play structures, with open play for $25 for 90 minutes.
The Kids Town in Park Slope is suitable for toddlers up to 8 years old. Twinkle Playspace in Williamsburg is specifically for children 6 and under, but reservations are a must. Even Jane’s Carousel in DUMBO is a classic and simple joy for little ones, with rides costing $3.
Educational and Engaging Experiences
The New York Transit Museum in Boerum Hill is a fascinating place located in a decommissioned subway station. Here, kids can explore vintage subway cars and buses. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children (ages 2-17). It’s a unique way to learn about the city’s history.
For nature lovers, the Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Environmental Education Center in DUMBO offers free nature and science-based activities for kids on Thursdays, Fridays, and weekends. They have a mini-estuarium and host Nature Storytime monthly.
The Brooklyn Children’s Museum in Crown Heights is designed for little ones with areas like Totally Tots, a sensory play space, and World Brooklyn, a kid-sized neighborhood. Admission is $15, with free community access hours on Thursday afternoons. They also have a temporary rooftop roller skating rink, Empire Skate of Mind, running from November 15, 2025, to April 12, 2026.
The Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD) in DUMBO is best for ages 7 and up, offering a look into food history and culture. It’s open Thursday through Sunday, with tickets around $18 for adults and $10 for children up to 13.
Places for Teens and Older Kids
Teens might enjoy the Brooklyn Public Library’s Teen Tech Center in DUMBO, offering access to technology, homework help, and creative tools like 3D printers and musical instruments. It’s open during specific events and classes.
For older kids (13 and up), The Escape Game Brooklyn at City Point offers immersive escape rooms. While designed for older players due to reading and math, all ages are welcome, with younger children playing for free. Games start at about $46.81 per person for a 60-minute experience.
Randolph Beer in DUMBO is also suitable for kids 7 and older, offering pinball and arcade games, but with specific hours for children. For a more active challenge, Brooklyn Bouldering Project in Gowanus offers youth programs and day passes for bouldering, with youth passes around $22-$27.
Can families play video games together?
Yes, several places offer arcade games that families can enjoy together. Dave & Buster’s in Downtown Brooklyn has hundreds of arcade games. Chuck E. Cheese also provides a variety of driving and arcade games. Randolph Beer in DUMBO features vintage arcade games and pinball, and there are arcade games available at places like Area 53 Laser Tag & Mini-Bowling and Shipwrecked in Red Hook.
Activities for Little Ones
For the youngest family members, there are many dedicated play spaces. In Clinton Hill, Shining Smiles is an indoor play space geared towards toddlers with a slide, jungle gym, and more, with open play costing $25 for 90 minutes. Brooklearn in Carroll Gardens is another option for ages 6 and under, offering an hourly rate of $30.
Laugh N Play in Marine Park is great for children aged 0-10, featuring a jungle gym, ball pit, and soft play areas. Little Explorers Play House in Midwood is a Montessori-inspired playspace for ages 0-6, with 75-minute open play sessions for $30.
Peekaboo in Bay Ridge is a kid’s bounce and bubble café. Children under 1 cost $15 for two hours, and those over 2 cost $25 for two hours. Fairytale Island Playground in Bay Ridge offers an indoor playground with a ball pit, trampoline, and climbing wall for $22 per child for two hours.
Multi-Location Fun
Several organizations offer programming across multiple Brooklyn locations. The Brooklyn Public Library has branches throughout the borough, offering free programming such as story times, playgroups, and teen events. It’s always a good idea to check your local branch for specific schedules.
NY Preschool & Kids Club operates in Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, DUMBO, and Park Slope/Gowanus, offering open play time for ages 6 months to 4 years in their gym spaces. They also have various drop-in enrichment classes.
For art lovers, PLAYDAY has studios in Cobble Hill and Park Slope, offering art classes for various ages, including Grown Up & Me activities for 1-4 year olds. Treasure Trunk Theatre also has locations in Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, and Prospect Heights, with a variety of drop-in classes like Musical Art Adventure and Sing-Along Adventure.
Space Club has sensory play spaces in Vinegar Hill, Fort Greene, and Greenpoint, each with different features like playgrounds, ball pits, and creative studios. Two-hour passes are around $39 for one child and one adult.
When should we find out more details about visits?
I always recommend checking the official websites or social media pages of these venues before you visit. This is especially important for checking their most current operating hours, prices, and any special events happening in 2026. Sometimes, opening hours can change, and confirming ahead of time can save a lot of hassle, especially when traveling with children like my own daughters, Emma and Sofia. It helps ensure a smoother, more enjoyable experience for everyone.
Bowling and Athletic Centers
If bowling is on your agenda, Melody Lanes in Sunset Park offers 26 lanes, arcade games, and food. Bowling starts at $60 per hour on weekdays. Ft. Hamilton Bowling Center in Bay Ridge also provides bowling and arcade games, but it’s located on an army base, so be sure to check their access and hours.
For the sport of pickleball, Red Hook Pickleball Club and Goodland Pickleball in Greenpoint offer courts for rent. Red Hook Pickleball Club has open play sessions starting at $26 per player during off-peak hours, and Goodland Pickleball is open 24/7.
If climbing is an interest, Brooklyn Bouldering Project in Gowanus and Movement Gowanus offer extensive climbing facilities. Day passes at Movement Gowanus are $25 for children and $35 for adults. Hapik Climbing Gym in Sunset Park features over 50 climbing walls with passes starting at $34.90. For younger children, they have a soft play area for $19.90.
Unique Entertainment Options
For a truly unique experience, the Red Hook Pinball Museum offers free play on vintage pinball machines every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It’s a step back in time with machines dating from 1871 to 1971.
Xanadu Roller Arts in Bushwick offers all-ages skating on Fridays from 4-7 pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 12-6 pm, with a great sound system and live music. In Coney Island, the New York Aquarium is open seven days a week, with admission starting at $26 for children ages 3 and up. Don’t miss their free tickets on Wednesday afternoons.
For those interested in crafts and jewelry making, Haricot Vert in Williamsburg allows older kids (8 and up) to design their own wearable art with various charms and beads. Brooklyn Charm in Greenpoint also offers a wide selection of chains and charms for custom jewelry creation.
If you’re looking for something educational but also fun, the Brooklyn Game Knight in Industry City offers a tabletop lounge with a vast selection of board games, card games, and RPGs for $12 to access their library for up to 4 hours. CREA Interactivity in Industry City offers tech-based play experiences for kids ages 5-12 in interactive zones, with sessions around $35.
For young children who enjoy music, Ume Ume in Park Slope offers drop-in music classes for babies and toddlers, including Baby Rhythm-Makers and Sing-alongs for $25 per child.
When planning your family’s next indoor adventure in Brooklyn, it’s always helpful to have a variety of options. Whether your child prefers art, sports, or imaginative play, there are places to suit almost every interest. Remember to verify details like hours and pricing directly with the venues before you head out for the best experience.
