Best Things to Do in Red Hook with Kids

1. The Red Hood Arcade

This cozy arcade features both classic and current arcade games running on new, original, and retrofitted hardware. Hours are Saturdays and Sundays from 1-6pm. Check the website for occasional special events like "Monday Fun Days".

2. Shipwrecked Mini Golf

Rainy day? School vacation? The indoor Shipwrecked mini golf spot is the place to go to keep the kids busy, fed, and happily working on their putting game. In addition to the playful NYC theme (the last hole is in a faux subway car) and decor, Shipwrecked offers a kid-centric menu, plus alcoholic beverages for the grown-ups. There are mini escape rooms and a handful of old-school video games in the waiting area, including Pac-Man. Kids as young as three will likely enjoy a round of golf here. Sensory nights are also offered with sound effects off, lighting dimmed, and other sensory-friendly accommodations and amenities.

3. Brooklyn Sluggers

A warehouse that has been retrofitted into a baseball training center, this facility features indoor batting cages, plus baseball and softball clinics for kids. Birthday party packages offer lots of sports-themed activities as well as Zumba dance parties

4. Shopping

With vintage vinyl and used books at Record Shop, home goods and decor at Open Invite Boutique, and an impressive selection of plants and gardening supplies at Chelsea Garden Center, Red Hook is the perfect place to shop the day away.

Fun Free Things to Do in Red Hook with Kids

5. Red Hook Pool

One of our favorite public pools, this Olympic-size treasure is a lifesaver on scorching summer days. Open daily from late June through Labor Day, this massive WPA-era beauty brings the diverse community together for hours of splashing good fun. The separate toddler sprinkler area is a spacious tot spot.

6. Ikea Småland Play Area

Got some home shopping to do? Drop off your littles (37 to 54 inches; must be potty-trained) at Ikea's in-store play space. Customers' kids can enjoy up to an hour of supervised romping time in a "Swedish Forest." Afterward, hit the restaurant for the chain's famous Swedish meatballs.

7. Red Hook Boaters

Take a paddle with the whole family! Minors need a parent/guardian, and everyone needs a Coast Guard-approved life jacket to explore the waterways around Red Hook. Check the website for dates and opportunities to explore the neighborhood from the water.

8. Pioneer Works

There is so much to see and do at this local cultural center. Immerse your family in art with one of its inspiring exhibitions. Spend a few minutes studying the calendar to find the best day to bring your kids. The center aspires to bring art to all, and that includes little ones.

9. Kentler International Drawing Space

With an impressive roster of events, as well as youth and family programs, Kentler International Drawing Space makes for a great art-centric afternoon with the kids. Sign up for an after-school program, or bring the children (4 and up) to a family drawing workshop on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month (during exhibitions). Workshops run from 10-11am and are led by a professional teaching artist.

10. Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition

This waterfront gallery offers support and exposure to artists working to advance their careers. The sprawling Civil War-era warehouse is chock-full of interesting art, with Statue of Liberty views as a bonus backdrop.

11. Brooklyn Waterfront Museum

Get even closer to the water with a floating gallery. The Brooklyn Waterfront Museum is a family-focused outpost that is floating on the 1914 Lehigh Valley Barge #79. It has open hours several days a week, or you can schedule a tour. They also offer a full roster of fun, kid-friendly events throughout the year.

12. The Mary A. Whalen

This historic oil tanker is docked at Pier 11 near the Atlantic Basin, NYC Ferry stop, and the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. The tanker is home to the non-profit PortSide NewYork, which runs frequent free family programs on board.

Best Parks and Playgrounds in Red Hook

13. Harold Ickes Skatepark

This newly renovated skatepark features 11,800 square feet of concrete with designated areas for parkour and bouldering, plus a full-sized half pipe and a bike repair stand. Roller blades, scooters, and bikes are also welcome.

14. Red Hook Recreation Area

In addition to a standard playground, this nearly 60-acre green space boasts handball courts, a running track, picnic tables, and ball fields that are often completely empty on weekdays (but teeming with leagues on weekends). There's also an indoor rec center that's open to members.

15. Erie Basin Park

IKEA made and maintains this waterfront green space, which is a nice place to stroll, relax on the plentiful benches, or marvel at the view. Keep an eye out for artsy structures or picnic on the modest lawn. IKEA sponsors various family events here in the summer.

16. Louis Valentino Junior Park & Pier

Though there's no playground here, this sweet green patch on the water is a favorite for pups and crawlers. Have a picnic, go fishing, or just relax and enjoy the view. In summer, hit the pier for free kayaking with the Red Hook Boaters.

17. Coffey Park

This park remains a great spot for birthday parties with plenty of room for games, picnic tables, and trees for piñatas. Kids will like the playful crocodile-shaped benches, and parents will enjoy the safety surfacing that was added to the playground during renovations.

18. Brooklyn Greenway

Hit this bike path for an adventurous and scenic day out. Bring your own wheels or grab a Citi Bike. While the neighborhood's old railroad tracks and Belgian-block streets make for a bit of bumpy ride, the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway offers lovely paths along the East River from Dumbo, Brooklyn Heights, or even Williamsburg.

19. Urban Meadow Community Garden

This awesome outdoor space is actually in the Columbia Waterfront neighborhood, just north of Red Hook, but we couldn't resist including it as it's right on your way to the nabe. Organizers host events throughout the year, like the unmissable Jazz Festival in the summer and the Halloween parade in the fall. No need for a membership to explore this community green space from April through October, Wednesdays-Sundays from 10am-7pm. Supervised kids can explore, play in the sprinklers (seasonally), hunt for snails, and learn about the different varieties of plants and flowers. Check the events calendar for local happenings throughout the year.

Best Restaurants for Kids in Red Hook

20. Brooklyn Crab

In addition to delicious dishes, many featuring its namesake crustacean, Brooklyn Crab is home to a big backyard featuring an eight-hole miniature golf course, bean bag toss, and shuffleboard. The spot fills up quickly in the late afternoons and becomes a grown-ups-only hangout after dark.

21. Red Hook Lobster Pound

Seafood can be a tough one for kids. Luckily, Red Hook Lobster Pound makes a lobster roll that is impossible to turn down. This NYC destination is known for its fresh seafood and hip ambiance. Bring the kids for one of their special events (perhaps a Mother's Day Brunch?) and savor a buttery lobster roll surrounded by playful nautical decor and stellar service.

22. Red Hook Food Vendors Marketplace

This outdoor culinary destination of top-notch food trucks has been around for 43 years, and for good reason! This is the place to go if you have kids with many different food preferences. Tacos? No problem! BBQ? Sure! It does, in general, specialize in Latin American foods. Be warned, this is a definite bucket list item for many New Yorkers, so lines can get long. To avoid wrangling hungry children, try to go on the earlier side. It's seasonal only; opening in late April through October on weekends, from 10am-8pm. Get updates via the Facebook page.

23. Hometown BBQ

Pit-smoked BBQ, live music, and a family-friendly vibe are all readily available at this awesome Red Hook establishment. Sandwiched between Fairway and Brooklyn Crab, Hometown BBQ holds its own. True to southern BBQ tradition, they offer walk-up service at the counter. Let your kids pick their favorites from the menu and grab a table for some finger-lickin' family fun.

Best Sweet Treats for Kids in Red Hook

24. BonBon

The viral Swedish pick and mix candy store recently opened an outpost just off Columbia Street. Specializing in an extensive assortment of premium candies imported directly from Sweden, this teen fave offers a selection of goodies including gummies, licorice, marshmallows, and chocolates. If you're there on a Sunday, Swedish hot dogs are also served up.

25. Baked

If pie isn't your thing, Baked will have what you need. Whoopie pies, brownies, and cookies are all on the menu at this Brooklyn favorite. They also offer enticing limited-edition sweet treats. Lemon sprinkle white chocolate blondie? Yes, please!

26. La Newyorkina

This Latin-woman-owned ice cream and sweets company was founded in 2010 by Mexico City native and James Beard-nominated pastry Chef Fany Gerson. The sweet spot serves up delicious handmade natural Mexican ice cream and sweets.

27. Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pies

Grab a swingle (chocolate-dipped pie on a stick!) at Steve's in Red Hook. This neighborhood mainstay is the place to go for pie enthusiasts and appreciators alike. They take their mission seriously, which means fresh ingredients, stellar service, and a great place to dig into a slice of key lime pie. Stop by after a stroll along the adjacent Louis Valentino Junior Park & Pier. Check their social media for daily hours.

28. Raaka Chocolate

The factory of this delectable chocolate brand crafts its wares from bean to bar right in Red Hook. Stop by for a tour or to peruse the shop, which features a wide variety of chocolates. Chocolate-making and tasting classes are offered on Fridays, weekends, and weeknights.

A version of this article was first published in 2014, but it has since been revised and updated.