Brooklyn can't be beat for indoor play spaces. While Manhattan and Queens have about a dozen drop-in indoor playgrounds apiece, Brooklyn boasts nearly twice that number, from the Brooklyn Children's Museum's Spark, to Busy Bodies in Clinton Hill and Fairytale Island in Bay Ridge.
While we've included a couple of the more mellow tot spots with crafts or storytelling, this best-of-Brooklyn list is focused on active play spaces, where toddlers, preschoolers, and even bigger kids can conquer multilevel mazes, swoosh down slides, climb up rock walls, or just turn around in circles until they fall down exhausted, ready for a nap.
Read on for the best drop-in indoor romper rooms for kids in Brooklyn. Find more play spots in our Indoor Family Fun Guide to Play Spaces.
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Note: Be sure to call ahead to confirm hours and prices, as both change frequently. Also, many smaller spaces reach capacity quickly on bad-weather days, so go early or make a reservation in advance.
232 Playroom—Cobble Hill
232 Warren Street, between Court and Clinton Streets
Drop-in play offered daily; visit the website for current hours.
Ages 0–3
This innovative Cobble Hill playspace is geared toward the younger set. Featuring books, a train table, slides, a playhouse, and some ride-on toys, there's plenty to keep toddlers engaged and occupied. Siblings play free!
It's a bounce party at BounceU!
BounceU — Dyker Heights
6722 Fort Hamilton Parkway, at 68th Street
Hours vary. See the website for details.
Ages 2–adult
Let your kids bounce off the walls, literally, at this inflatable fun spot. There are plenty of open-bounce hours, when kids of all ages can jump around. There are also family nights and preschool sessions for the under-8 set in case you're worried about your little ones getting trampled. Advance reservations required.
Brooklyn Arts Exchange — Park Slope
421 Fifth Avenue, between Seventh and Eighth Streets
Drop-in play Mondays and Friday mornings, October through early May; visit the website for current hours.
Ages 1–4
Known as the BAX Playspace, this under-the-radar gem is a favorite of local families. Toddlers and preschoolers navigate hoops and tunnels, color, play with balls, and read books.
RELATED: Drop-in Play Spaces in NYC That Cost Less Than $15
Busy Bodies is a neighborhood play space with indoor and outdoor play options.
Busy Bodies — Clinton Hill
1004 Fulton Street
Drop-in play daily; visit the website for current schedule.
Ages 0–4 years
This bright, airy space in the Clinton Hill neighborhood has two indoor romping spots, plus a seasonal backyard for play. We loved it when we visited. The spot hosts play groups, music classes, and more.
Congregation Beth Elohim — Park Slope
274 Garfield Place, near Eighth Avenue
Drop-in play Tuesday–Friday mornings; visit the website for current hours.
Ages 0–2
This is another popular Park Slope tot spot, where the littlest ones (note the age range, above) can tumble and play with educational toys in the social hall (large indoor space).
Kids can dive into the ball pit or climb aboard the train at Fairytale Island.
Fairytale Island — Bay Ridge
7110 3rd Ave. between 71st and 72nd Streets
10am–8pm every day, except when closed for private parties—check Facebook page for updates.
No age limit, but best for kids 7 and under
This epic play zone offers a giant ball pit, two-level train, trampolines, swings, rock climbing wall, and plenty more to keep kids occupied for hours. You can even get food here—light lunch fare such as pizza and popcorn chicken is available, as well as smoothies and a full ice cream bar.
Giocare Play Spot — South Slope
655 Sixth Avenue, at 18th Street
Drop-in play daily; visit the website for current hours.
Ages 0–5
This toddler- and preschooler-focused drop-in playroom offers loads of art activities, but also toys, musical instruments, blocks, and a play kitchen. It's the perfect quiet spot to spend a rainy or chilly afternoon. Kids can play with anything on hand, and Giocare hosts storytimes, music and art classes, and other structured activities during open play. This spot also offers a work-and-play option for parents who want to get some work done while their kids play and socialize in the next room. Additional paid classes such as Toddler Time are available.
Good Day Play Cafe — South Slope
591 5th Avenue, between 16th Street and Prospect Avenue
Drop-in play daily, Monday through Saturday; visit the website for current hours.
Ages 0–6
With Stumptown coffee and cold brew, a cypress wood cube sensory pit, and a clear view of the entire play area from the minimalist-chic cafe, this play cafe is a favorite of both parents and kids. There is plenty to do for kids that like to get physical—including a ball pit, slide, and climbing structures—as well as options for those who prefer quieter games and imaginative play, from Legos to costumes to a pretend kitchen and grocery store.
Kids 'N Action — Borough Park
1149 McDonald Avenue, near Avenue I
Drop-in play daily; visit the website for current hours.
Ages 0–12
An indoor amusement center a la Chuck E Cheese's, this activity zone has attractions for all ages, from soft play tunnels, mazes, and a ball pit for preschoolers to a roller coaster, train ride, go-karts, and video games for older children. The upside: If you have kids of varying ages you can satisfy them all here. The downside? The more activities you try, the more you pay. Party packages are offered.
Little Lola and Tots—Bed-Stuy
503 Dekalb Avenue, between Franklin Ave and Skillman Street
Drop-in play offered daily; visit the website for current hours.
Ages 0–4
Along with their "parent and me" classes, there is open play for kids to slide, read, climb and explore during daily drop-in sessions. Beautifully curated and mindfully constructed, the space offers plenty of play opportunities for kids to get physical and use their imaginations.
RELATED: Play Cafes: Shops in Brooklyn and Queens with Kids' Play Spaces
Climb, slide and run or play at Greenpoint's indoor playground PLAY.
PLAY — Greenpoint
33 Nassau Avenue, between Guernsey and Dobbin Streets
Drop-in hours daily; visit the website for current hours.
Ages 0–5
This play space has undergone a lot of changes but is still uber popular and offering open-play sessions. Preschoolers can hit the play sets and activity stations, including a food market and laundry set, and romp around the tumbling gym. There's also a separate baby area, where infants can safely crawl and explore.
Play Days & Parties — Bay Ridge
6632 Third Avenue, between 67th Street and Wakeman Place
Drop-in hours Tuesdays through Fridays; visit the website for current hours.
Ages 0–5
This family-run spot resembles a cozy rec room full of toddler and baby toys, from soft blocks to shape sorters. In addition, there is plastic play equipment, including a slide, seesaw, and rock-climbing wall. Classes, play groups, and party packages are offered. For more info, check out our full review.
Powerplay — Gowanus
432 Third Avenue between 7th and 8th Streets
Drop-in hours: Monday–Friday, 9am–5:30pm, Saturday and Sunday, 10am–4pm.
Ages 1–14
The brightly colored indoor playground at this gymnastics center includes slides, a sandbox, a tree house, a playhouse with ladders and slides, and self-propelled plastic cars perfect for toddlers and up. Roll your stroller indoors and then head up to the second floor to pay and play. This space also offers all-ages gymnastics classes, rock climbing (a main wall and a "junior wall"), and two unique open-play type of sessions that give kids access to inflatables, trampolines, the climbing wall, obstacle course, and more energy busters. One is for ages 1-6, the other for ages 7-14. Call 718-369-9880 to register. (Although the website is out of date, we confirmed that this play space continues to offer open play.)
RELATED: Top 30 Things to Do in Brooklyn with Preschool-Age Kids
Little adventurers will delight in the custom-made equipment at Recess d.u.m.b.o.
Recess d.u.m.b.o. — Dumbo
81 Washington Street, between Front and York Streets
Drop-in hours offered daily; visit the website for current schedule.
Ages 6 months–6 years
Opened by a pair of neighborhood moms in June 2015, this play space features gorgeous, custom-made equipment, including a wooden climbing wall, hidden ladders, and tunnels made from rope netting. Drop-in play is offered seven days a week. Read our full review for more info and pics.
Spark — Dumbo
1 John Street
Drop-in hours offered Wednesday-Sunday afternoons; visit the website for current schedule.
Ages 6 months–6 years
This offshoot of the Brooklyn Children's Museum boasts plenty of programming and entertainment during open-play hours. The real star of the show is the Imagination Playground blocks, but there are plenty of art and sensory activities for toddlers and preschoolers to enjoy. Its proximity to Brooklyn Bridge Park is icing on the kid-friendly cake.
Sundays@Senesh — Carroll Gardens
342 Smith Street, at Second Street
Sunday mornings November through March; visit the website for current schedule.
Ages 0–5
Jewish day school Hannah Senesh opens its spacious, sunny gym to neighborhood kids for playtime on Sunday mornings all winter long. Kids race around the gym with pals while parents chat over coffee and bagels. Ride-on toys and mini climbing structures keep everyone busy, but there's also a music session and art-making station.
Superstar Family Fun Center — Sunset Park
736 61st Street, between Seventh and Eighth Avenues
Drop-in play offered daily; visit the website for current hours.
$12 per child.
Ages 2–12
Bounce the day away at this indoor space, featuring inflatable slides, bouncy houses, a large maze, and other equipment. On weekends, call ahead in case the spot is closed for a private party. No shoes or bare feet are allowed, so don't forget socks.
The Ability Center offers a unique sensory play experience.
The Ability Center NYC — Marine Park
3514 Avenue S, at 35th Street
Open play hours Sunday–Friday; visit website for current schedule.
Crawlers and older
The Ability Center has been around for years as a physical-therapy spot, but its indoor "practice and play" gym lets kids get their play on. Expect to find a clean, well-maintained play area, where kids can safely challenge their growing bodies in an age-appropriate way. Birthday parties are offered, as well as an area for school groups to play.
Totally Tots at the Brooklyn Children's Museum — Crown Heights
145 Brooklyn Avenue, between St. Marks Avenue and Prospect Place
Drop-in play offered daily; visit the website for current hours.
Ages 0–5
If you've got a preschooler who needs to get the sillies out, Totally Tots is for you. The Baby Hub features colorful padded structures where infants can crawl, cruise, stand, or just sit. Children ages 18 months to 5 years can romp at a variety of stations, including a water play area, a multilevel climbing structure with instruments to pound and play, a building zone, and a theater.
Tot Town — Crown Heights
636 Classon Avenue
Drop-in hours offered daily; visit the website for current schedule.
Ages 0–5 years
This little-kid haven is bright, airy, and has plenty of toys, art supplies, and dress-up gear to keep kids entertained. There are separate areas for babies and bigger kids, and parents appreciate the comfy seating and free Wi-Fi. Read our full review here.
The sizable Twinkle Playspace in Williamsburg offers water play and more innovation stations. Photo courtesy of Twinkle Playspace
Twinkle Playspace — Williamsburg
144 Frost Street, between Graham and Manhattan Avenues
Drop-in play offered daily; visit the website for current hours.
Ages 0–6
Owned and operated by a longtime local family, this 4,500-square-foot tot spot features creative, custom-designed hands-on activity stations, including a water table, firehouse, salon, general store, and a barnyard. It's a great option for preschoolers who love to pretend. Party packages are offered.
Photos courtesy of the spaces
A previous version of this post was published in January 2017, but it is regularly updated.
