We love kids as much as everyone else, but man are they expensive. That’s why you’re lucky, if you’re a parent, to live in Brooklyn, where you can find free after-school art, dance, workout, and literacy classes all over the place. We set out to come up with a list of free, educational (even fun) programs around Brooklyn that will keep yours from being that child left behind. Did we miss anything? Please add them in the comments…Brooklyn Ice, 143 Sixth Ave.
Free figure skating for kids ages six to 10, 2 times a week, November to March.
Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., 718-735-4400
Grades 2-12; younger children learn and play about natural history, science and arts, using the collections. Older students can become stipended interns.
Brooklyn Public Library (various branches)
Regular (monthly or weekly) story times, arts and crafts hours and programs for children with special needs.
Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation, 625 Jamaica Ave., 718-647-2800
Fun activities for school-aged children in a half-dozen public schools; as well as college-prep, GED tutoring and employment placement services for older students.
Lava Love, 524 Bergen St., 718-399-3161
Free, open workout hour for kids and teens on Wednesday afternoons.
Mark Morris Dance Group, 3 Lafayette Ave., 718-624-8400
Weekly dance class for children ages nine to 12.
NYC Department of Youth and Community Development
Has hundreds of programs with trained staff across the city: Offers free and healthy snacks, homework help, much more—meets in community centers, churches, etc.
Starting Artists, 211 Smith St., 718-701-5483
Free art education and preparation for art business administration, focusing on hands-on empowerment.
The After School Corporation (TASC)
This is a group that organizes thousands of after-school activities, and has a program-finder on their web site.
Turn 2 After School Programs, 1251 Prospect Place, 718-771-2787
A range of activities sponsored in part by Derek Jeter—meets every weekday at St. John’s Recreation Center (by St. John’s Park in Crown Heights/Brownsville). Kids can use the weight room, swimming pool and music studio; take field trips; do activities galore. Older students are paired with younger students.
826NYC, 372 Fifth Ave., 718-499-9884
Free tutoring and writing training for students ages six to 18.
View Comments (7)
Brooklyn Children's Museum costs $7.50 per person (including children over 1 year) to enter.
i love dancing and i think this company is very good.I will like to join the company as well i want to learn more dancing for my highschool.please email me back
Please email me all the family and children activities available. Thank you
just looking for reading and math program for my son and activities for him to be doing
Just looking for reading and math programs for my daughter and some activities for her to do.Please email me back. Thank you.
My son is moving out here from CA and I need to get him in an after school ASAP let me know what kind of availability theee is and if I can enroll him
Brooklyn Acts is a free performing arts program, creating original plays by and for teens aged 13-19. Located in Bushwick, (176 St. Nicholas Ave, 3rd Floor) the program meets Mondays from 6-8 pm. Brooklynacts@gmail.com for more info.