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For the purposes of this post, we're defining Bay Ridge, Brooklyn's geographical boundaries as 65th Street to the north, Seventh Avenue and Grimes Road to the east, and the water to the west and south.

Best Things To Do in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn with Kids

1. Bay Ridge Library

Enjoy story time and a well-stocked children's section at this Brooklyn Public Library branch.

2. Alpine Cinemas

Catch a flick at this neighborhood theater.

3. Bay Ridge Aquatics Institute

Enroll your kids in swimming lessons at BRAINS, the Bay Ridge Aquatics Institute.

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Ball pits, climbers, and fun galore await at Bay Ridge play space Fairytale Island. Photo courtesy of the venue

4. Fairytale Island

This huge indoor play space has tons of activities to keep your child engaged and busy. Enjoy coffee and treats at the adjacent cafe.

5. Bay Ridge St. Patrick's Parade

Don your best green livery and partake in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade.

6. Outdoor Festivals

Check out a wide variety of FREE outdoor fests every summer, including the concert series at 79th Street and Shore Road, Summer Stroll, and the Greater Bay Ridge 4th of July Picnic.

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March in the annual Bay Ridge Ragamuffin Parade, which kicks off the Halloween season with an early October procession.

7. Ragamuffin Parade

Put on your best costumes and hit Third Avenue for the annual Ragamuffin Parade in the early fall, a neighborhood tradition since 1967.

8. BookMark Shoppe

Peruse the children's section, or check the calendar for kids' readings and activities at the indie bookshop BookMark Shoppe.

9. Harbor Defense Museum

Learn how our armed forces defended our waterways at NYC's only military museum.

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Take a dip at the Fort Hamilton Community Club pool. Photo by Janice Kim

10. Fort Hamilton Community Club

Join the Fort Hamilton Community Club and enjoy the outdoor pool, fitness room, bowling, and community events.

11. Beautiful Architecture

Gawk at the swanky mansions on Shore Road between 80th and 83rd Streets and the nearby Gingerbread House at 8200 Narrows Avenue.

12. Holiday Lights

Although not as over-the-top as neighboring Dyker Heights, Bay Ridge residents put up some pretty extravagant holiday displays.

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Bay Ridge's parks have epic sledding hills, and the backdrop can't be beat on a snow-covered day.

Best Parks and Playgrounds in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn

13. Owl's Head Park

Explore the 24-plus-acre Owl's Head Park, which includes two playgrounds, a popular skate park, great sledding hills, and gorgeous views of Lower Manhattan and New York Bay.

14. Russell Pedersen Playground

Check out this lesser-known neighborhood romping spot which was named after a local resident.

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Grab a scooter and explore the waterfront promenade at Shore Road Park. Photo by Diana Kim

15. Shore Road Park

Bike along the waterfront, play basketball, tennis, or baseball, or romp within view of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in the 58-acre Shore Road Park.

16. McKinley Park

Another neighborhood gem, McKinley Park is a great spot to play sports like softball and baseball. It features a high-quality synthetic turf ball field and there's an expansive lawn with large trees and rolling hills for kids to run around.

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The Narrows Botanical Garden is a charming spot to stop and smell the roses. Photo courtesy of the garden

17. Narrows Botanical Garden

Stop and smell the flowers at the volunteer-run Narrows Botanical Gardens, which offers various family-friendly programming and events.

18. 69th Street Pier

Bring your camera to the 69th Street Pier (officially named the American Veterans Memorial Pier), where you can fish, watch the boats go by, pose in front of the downtown Manhattan skyline, or hop aboard the NYC Ferry.

19. Bay Ridge Greenmarket

Go locavore at the Bay Ridge Greenmarket every Saturday from May through November—kids love the free apple and tomato tastings.

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Fresh, flavorful food is on the menu at the authentic Yemen Cafe. Photo courtesy of the restaurant

Family-Friendly Restaurants in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn

20. Yemen Cafe

This local establishment serves authentic Yemeni food at excellent prices. The large portions are perfect for sharing, and the atmosphere is casual and jovial.

21. Skinflints

This Irish pub has a warm, welcoming atmosphere for families and serves delicious burgers. Kids also love the array of pies on the menu.

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Vesuvio offers the cure for Italian cravings whether you want pizza or pasta for take out, delivery, or sit-down service. Photo courtesy of the restaurant

22. Vesuvio

Families looking for pizza and old-school Italian have been heading to Vesuvio for nearly 70 years.

23. Leske's Bakery

Enjoy sweet treats at this Scandinavian bakery including Danishes, freshly-baked bread, cookies, and cakes.

24. Beet and Carrots

Kids are welcome at this cafe specializing in farm-to-table dishes. There's a small play area for kids while waiting for their French toast.

First published in 2013.