The Brooklyn Life

Home to more than 2 million people, Brooklyn is the most populous borough in New York City. While Brooklyn has a reputation for being home to the young and single, it's also a great place for families with children to play and explore. The following are kid-friendly activities the entire family can enjoy in Brooklyn.

1) Prospect Park

Image via Flickr by edwardhblake

When you stay with Brooklyn Suites, you'll have the opportunity to stay near some of the best parks in Brooklyn like Prospect Park. Located south of the Fort Greene neighborhood, Prospect Park is a 585-acre public park with almost as many activities as the famous Central Park. Children love the park's most popular attraction, which is the Carousel that Charles Carmel carved in 1912. It features 53 horses, a giraffe, a deer, a lion, and two dragons pulling chariots.

• Check out the Historic Boathouse
• Home to the Audubon Center
• Play on baseball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, and soccer fields

2) Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Image via Flickr by See-ming Lee

No matter the season, children can learn about plants and animals at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. In the winter, they can attend hands-on workshops about gardening in a greenhouse and in the summer they can participate in nature walks and scavenger hunts. Another highlight of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is the Children's Garden, which is the oldest of its kind in the world, and the Discovery Garden, where young children can learn about the flora around them.

• Participate in arts and crafts programs
• View over 200 cherry trees
• Go to the Children's Garden and Discovery Garden

3) Coney Island

Image via Flickr by MTAPhotos

While the iconic amusement park on Coney Island is an obvious draw for children of any age, there are many other activities to enjoy here. The 2.5-mile sandy beach is a nice escape from the city that's completely free to use. Coney Island is also home to the New York Aquarium, which is the oldest aquarium in the country.

• Explore rides, games, and sideshows at the amusement park
• Enjoy the large beach for swimming
• Don't miss the parades and film festivals

4) Brooklyn Museum of Art

Image via Flickr by Kent Wang

Situated near plenty of extended stay Brooklyn locations, the Brooklyn Museum of Art has one of the most extensive collections in the city and is perfect for children who love to explore history. The museum is best-known for its Egyptian antiquities that span over 3,000 years. The museum offers hands-on art classes, dance and music performances, and workshops for all ages.

• Take drawing, painting, and sculpting classes
• Watch storytelling and films
• Experience free after-hours programs

5) New York Transit Museum

Image via Flickr by MTAPhotos

Whether it's exploring artifacts from the subway system or learning more about the tunnels and bridges that connect the city, the New York Transit Museum offers every child a glimpse into the massive public transportation system that keeps the city moving. At hands-on learning areas, kids can create a bridge or make a transit sculpture from candy. There are even fully operable subway cars that are used for special excursions throughout the city.

• Explore old subway cars
• Ride vintage railways
• Hands-on learning experiences

From carousel rides to subway rides, these five attractions in Brooklyn are must-sees for families and kids that want to learn more about this amazing borough and the one-of-a-kind city that surrounds it.