Please Touch the Art stretches from the lawn near Jane's Carousel just south of the Manhattan Bridge, all the way down to Pier 6. The installation consists of three distinct works. "Modified Social Benches" is a series of 16 brightly colored benches that are intentionally challenging to sit on due to their bent, twisted and curved shapes. My kids got a kick out of these, especially the ones that operated more like slides than benches. Each time they spotted the electric orange-red of a new one in the distance, they screamed, "More art!" and ran to figure it out.

Fun with the "Mirror Labyrinth NY"

Located just south of Pier 2, "Mirror Labyrinth NY" is a circular maze of vertical, polished, stainless steel planks of different heights arranged to represent and reflect the New York City skyline. But without a doubt, the most popular work is Pier 1's "Appearing Rooms," a raised platform with vertical jets that shoot out seven-foot walls of water to create "rooms." If you're careful, you can move from room to room without getting wet (but leave your phone with a friend anyway). Needless to say, my kids had no intention of staying dry and had a blast straddling the rooms.

My kids had a blast with "Appearing Rooms!"

For a fun way to explore the exhibit, download the scavenger hunt map provided by the Public Art Fund, the event's sponsor, and start just north of the Brooklyn Bridge or at the southern end of the park at Pier 6. Either way, you'll begin and end at a great playground (Main Street Playground or Pier 6). Afterward, grab a bite at Shake Shack or Grimaldi's to the north, or Smorgasburg to the south (it's only open on Sundays, though). Try the fried anchovies at Bon Chovie—they're amazing! Even my kids ate them.

As you walk through the park, be sure to stop at Pier 2 and check out the slew of kid-friendly fun available. From the basketball, handball, shuffleboard and bocce courts to the playground, roller rink, grown-up fitness equipment, hopscotch and four square area, there's entertainment for all ages. There are also picnic benches and, most importantly, bathrooms and drinking fountains. Trust me, you'll appreciate the shade and cool breezes.

Please Touch the Art is open daily from 6am to 1am through Sunday, April 17, 2016. During your visit, if you snap a photo of each work and Instagram or Tweet @PublicArtFund using the hashtag #PleaseTouchTheArt, you'll receive a prize. To get there, take the A or C to High Street, the F to York Street, or the 2 or 3 to Clark Street, then walk (a lot). While parking isn't easy, we managed to find a spot on Columbia Heights near the Promenade. Be advised that the Squibb Park Bridge, which previously offered easy access between the Promenade and Brooklyn Bridge Park, is currently closed for repairs. The East River Ferry, New York Water Taxi and Governors Island Ferry all stop at Brooklyn Bridge Park, too .

For more family-friendly public art installations, check out our Museum Guide.