Playtime In Ditmas Park: Upcoming Children’s Events
Looking for something to do with the whole family this week? From a baseball game benefiting our local nonprofit CAMBA to a free Harper Lee documentary at the Cortelyou Library and exploring Prospect Park’s nighttime critters, there are a lot of great kid-friendly events coming up in our area. See the full details below!
For more things to do around Brooklyn, and to add your own upcoming event, check out our calendar.
Sing-Along With Debbie Deane
When: Wednesday, July 15, 11am
Where: Lark Cafe, 1007 Church Avenue
What: Belt out some family favorites with local mom and recording artist Debbie Deane.
How much: $5 per family
KIDtivity Wednesday with Puppetsburg
When: Wednesday, July 15, 1pm
Where: LeFrak Center at Lakeside, Prospect Park
What: Come to Lakeside for dancing, music, bubble time, and a puppet story from Puppetsburg.
How much: Free, but space is limited so reserve your spot in advance.
Kiddie Science Workshop
When: Wednesday, July 15, 1:30pm
Where: Cortelyou Library, 1305 Cortelyou Road
What: Come explore science with Kiddie Science! Take part in simple, hands-on chemistry experiments and learn not just what happens when two items are mixed, but why. For children ages 3-6 with adult supervision.
How much: Free!
Jam With The Dad Beats
When: Thursday, July 16, 11am
Where: Lark Cafe, 1007 Church Avenue
What: Made up of three real-live Brooklyn dads (and neighbors), The Dad Beats traverse surf, rock and country grooves to deliver playful reimaginings of your childhood favorites.
How much: $10 per family
Nature Exploration
When: Thursdays & Fridays, 12-4pm
Where: Audubon Center, Prospect Park
What: Families can enjoy a variety of activities, from games for bird nerds to Citizen Science projects to a chance to meet a resident snake.
How much: Free!
Kids Create At Cortelyou Library
When: Thursday, July 16, 2pm
Where: Cortelyou Library, 1305 Cortelyou Road
What: Children are invited to meet new friends at this arts and crafts program at the library.
How much: Free!
Cheer On The Cyclones
When: Thursday, July 16, 7pm
Where: MCU Park in Coney Island
What: Everyone’s invited to CAMBA’s annual Night at the Ballpark, which pits the Brooklyn Cyclones against the Staten Island Yankees in a game that raises money for our local nonprofit.
How much: $30 per ticket (if you buy three, you can get a fourth one free)
Creatures of the Night: Family Edition
When: Thursday, July 16, 7pm
Where: Audubon Center, Prospect Park
What: Explore Prospect Park after dark with expert Naturalist Paul Keim. Share snacks and beverages with Paul as he speaks about the ecological role that bats and nocturnal insects play in our environment, followed by a walking tour to spot and identify the Park’s various species of resident bats in flight.
How much: $10 per person or $30 for a family of four, register online.
Sing-Along With Lucy Kalantari
When: Friday, July 17, 10am
Where: Lark Cafe, 1007 Church Avenue
What: Bring the kids and have a blast at this music extravaganza with neighbor Lucy Kalantari, who not long ago released her “Pockets Full of Joy” album, a collection of ukulele ditties with a 1920s flair about the wonders of love, being a mom, and babies.
How much: $5 per child
Free Screening Of Harper Lee Documentary
When: Friday, July 17, 2-4pm
Where: Cortelyou Library, 1305 Cortelyou Road
What: Children and their caretakers are invited to celebrate the arrival of Harper Lee’s new novel with the documentary “Hey Boo: Harper Lee & ‘To Kill A Mockingbird.'”
How much: Free!
Lola Star’s Dreamland Roller Disco
When: Friday, July 17, 7:30-10pm
Where: LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park
What: Get out your best 80s workout gear for neighbor Lola Star’s “Let’s Get Physical” roller skating party, which will include dazzling performers, kitschy contests, giveaways, and more.
How much: $18 per person, which includes event admission and skate rentals (buy tickets here).
Lavender Blues Sing-Along
When: Saturday, July 18, 9:30 & 10:30
Where: Lark Cafe, 1007 Church Avenue
What: Bring your babies and toddlers to the Lavender Blues sing-along, when the kids will have a blast singing, playing instruments, dancing, and playing with a ginormous parachute!
How much: $8 per family
Nature Exploration
When: Saturdays & Sundays, 10am-1pm
Where: Audubon Center, Prospect Park
What: Much like on the weekdays, families can enjoy a variety of activities, including bird watching, nature-based projects, and more.
How much: Free!
Luau at Lakeside
When: Saturday, July 18, 12pm
Where: LeFrak Center at Lakeside, Prospect Park
What: Enjoy sunshine, splash pad, roller-skating, silent auction, hula dancers and a full luncheon at this fundraiser for Jonah’s Just Begun.
How much: $35-40
Pop-Up Audubon: Macy’s Fishing Clinics
When: Saturdays & Sundays, 12-6pm
Where: Peninsula, Prospect Park
What: This month, from 1-4pm kids under the age of 15 can learn to fish. From 4:30-6pm, learn how to use binoculars and go bird watching.
How much: Free!
Pop-Up Audubon II: Fishing Fun
When: Saturdays & Sundays, 12-6pm
Where: North End of Esplanade, Prospect Park
What: This month, from 1-4pm kids under the age of 15 can learn to fish. From 4:30-6pm, learn how to use binoculars and go bird watching.
How much: Free!
Free Public Rowing
When: Saturday, July 18, 12-4pm
Where: Prospect Park’s Wellhouse Boat Ramp
What: Check out Prospect Park Lake by rowboat, thanks to the Prospect Park Alliance and Village Community Boathouse — which have again teamed up to offer the free public rowing every saturday.
How much: Free!
Fun On The Farm
When: Saturday & Sunday, July 18-19, 2-5pm
Where: Lefferts Historic House, Prospect Park
What: Visitors of all ages can come help the Lefferts staff take care of the potato plot, herb gardens, and berry patches by pulling weeds and helping to water. Bring a hat and a bottle of water and we will provide the tools and gloves.
How much: $3 suggested donation.
Free Outdoor Screening Of E.T.
When: Saturday, July 18, 8:30pm
Where: Cortelyou Road & E. 17th Street
What: The Flatbush Development Corporation is sponsoring a showing of “E.T.” Free popcorn will be provided by the Flatbush Food Co-op. Neighbors are asked to bring their own chairs and blankets for the flick.
How much: Free!
Figure 8 Playdate With Clifford
When: Sunday, July 19, 10am
Where: LeFrak Center at Lakeside, Prospect Park
What: Lace up your skates and join your neighbors for a morning filled with activities and excitement, including a meet & greet with Clifford the Big Red Dog, story time, arts and crafts, and breakfast.
How much: $25 per person (spots are limited; get tickets here)
Toddler Tuesdays
When: Tuesday, July 21, 9:30am
Where: LeFrak Center at Lakeside, Prospect Park
What: Enjoy some toddler-only dedicated skate time on the rink, as kids ages 2-5 and their caregivers will skate to instructor-led games, music, play-based activities — plus there are snacks and beverages.
How much: $15 for one child and accompanying adult; adult skate rentals are $5 (kid skate and helmet rentals are included). Tickets available in advance.
Sing-Along With Miss Katie
When: Tuesday, July 21, 11am
Where: Lark Cafe, 1007 Church Avenue
What: Singing a mix of classic kid favorites and rare folk gems, Miss Katie is known for bringing the sing-along fun to Brooklyn families! As one parent put it, “Miss Katie knows how to connect with caregivers, parents and children to bring out the rhythm in all of us.”
How much: $10 per family
Toddler Tuesday At Studio 1203
When: Tuesday, July 21, 4pm
Where: Studio 1203, 1203 Church Avenue
What: Children are invited to this sing- and dance-along with the fabulous pianist and teacher Maxine Feldman, who will perform Disney classics, theater favorites, standards,and event the Beatles on a baby grand piano. The program is designed for children from age 0 to 4 and their caregivers, but siblings are welcome as well. Every program finishes with a chance for each child to take their own turn at the piano.
How much: $10 per family