No Reservations Required: Brooklyn Baby & Toddler Drop-In Spots

Hopalong Andrew

Brooklyn favorite Hopalong Andrew hops all over the borough for playful western singalongs. His weekday “Cowpoke Roundups” for spuds (kids ages five and under) happen in City Point’s Dekalb Music Hall, at Whole Foods in Gowanus and Williamsburg, and in parks in Fort Greene, Cobble Hill, and Clinton Hill. (He’s at Busy Bodies in Clinton Hill on Thursdays, too.) Check his Facebook and Instagram accounts for the latest info and any schedule changes. Rates are $10 to $20 per child.

Online: hopalongandrew.com

Lavender Blues

Alex Branson AKA, Lady B or “Miss Alex”, has been bringing the musical fun for babies and toddlers all over Brooklyn for seven years. A former nanny, she knows the “grownup & me” class scene well, and works to make her classes as fun for the grownups as they are for the kids. Expect fun and funky original songs, bubbles, and lots of positive vibes. She holds babies-only classes at Brooklyn Heights’ Treasure Trunk Theater on Tuesdays and Thursdays, ($25 drop-in). The rest of the week, on Wednesdays find her in Bay Ridge or Bed-Stuy/Clinton Hill; Fridays she’s in Lefferts Gardens and Crown Heights, and Saturdays you’ll find her in Kensington. Drop-in costs range from $10 to $25. Click here for class times and locations. Can’t make it to a class? Check out Lady B’s original videos on Lavender Blues TV! 

929-400-1436
Online: lavenderbluesmusic.com

Toc Toc Spanish for Kids

This Spanish immersion playtime can be found all over the borough, and currently makes stops in Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Prospect Heights, Cobble Hill, and Carroll Gardens. Expect storytime, singalong, games, dancing, and puppets. Designed for kids six months to three years old, Toc Toc is $10 in most locations, with a $5 fee for siblings. Get latest days and time here. 

Online: toctocspanish.com

PSU Clubhouse

There's a few options at this Bed-Stuy space, which is a hot spot for soccer for kids and adults alike. (Hence, the astroturf.) Drop in on Fridays for a Rolie Polie Guacamole singalong from 9:30-10 a.m. for $15. Or, come in for open play from 10-noon or noon-2p.m. for $15. (A "full-day", three hours, is $20.) You can even do drop-OFF for kids one year and older, although space is tight—six kids per session. Diversions for kids include ride-on toys, a bounce house, balls, a slide, and more. There's also a cafe and free wifi! Note: This is a CARD ONLY establishment—no cash. Register in advance online or show up and some one can help you. Questions? E-mail Coach Kayla at Specialevents@parkslopeunited.com. 

2600 Jefferson Ave. 
2nd Fl.
Bedford-Stuyvesant
Online: psuclubhouse.com

Cumbe

Cumbe offers multiple classes for kids ranging from one to four years old. Travel through the African diaspora with dance and games, learn capoeira, or conga drumming, and more. Drop in to these ongoing classes for $17.

1368 Fulton St.
Bedford Stuyvesant
718-935-9700
Online: cumbedance.org

Treasure Trunk Studio

Drop in to the lovely new Treasure Trunk Studio on Friday mornings for storytime ($10/child; $5/siblings), or open play later in the day from 3 -6p.m. ($15/child/$10/siblings). Afternoon fun includes a mini ball pit, coloring station, puzzles, stories, and more.

Treasure Trunk Studio
141 Atlantic Ave.
Brooklyn Heights
Online: treasuretrunktheatre.com

Gumbo

Gumbo in Boerum Hill offers two music classes open for drop-ins. A singalong with Frank Gallo of popular kindie rock band Rolie Polie Guacamole on Thursdays for kids three months to two years, and an all-Spanish class for kids four and younger, CantaEspañol with Ana Campos Stephens. Stephens’ class has kids singing, playing, using puppets, and developing social skills as they also learn the language. Both classes are $25 for drop-in.

495 Atlantic Ave.
Boerum Hill
718-855-7808
Online: gumbobrooklyn.blogspot.com

The Great Room

This relatively new space for families hosts several drop-ins throughout the week. There’s a Sunday singalong at 10 a.m., all ages drop-in from 10 a.m. to noon on Monday and Thursday, and a precrawler drop-in from noon to 1:45 on Tuesday and Thursday. It’s $15 at the door, or you can buy a multi-pack to save.

The Great Room
194 Columbia St. 
Online: thegreatroom.org

Spark

For $15, Spark offers drop-in play Wednesday through Sunday, and kids can build in the Block Lab, get creative with art activities, or explore in the Discovery Den, where they can also get cozy for storytime. Bonus: Thursdays are free from 1 - 6 p.m.

1 John St.
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Dumbo
718-852-2470
Online: brooklynkids.org

Jill Lindsey

Stop by eclectic boutique, cafe, and gathering space Jill Lindsey for Tunes for Tykes (six months to one year) with Brian Stearns every Tuesday at 11 a.m for $15 and $5 for siblings. Miss Cotten holds a spirited singalong hootenanny on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. for the same price. Fridays brings Kid’s Yoga with Little Feet Yoga from 10:30-11:15 a.m. for $25. When the weather’s nice, head out to the backyard for al fresco fun!

370 Myrtle Ave. 
Fort Greene
347-987-4538
Online: jilllindsey.com

Monkey Do! Yoga

Most classes at this Gowanus studio are drop-in and take place several times throughout the week. Drop-in open play is $12, "Sing and Move" class is $15, and the Parent and baby yoga class is $25. There's also a new mom meetup group for $18, where the babes are of course welcome. Bulk passes are available as well.

Monkey Do! Yoga
279 Third Ave. 
347-987-3797
Gowanus
Online: monkeydoyoga.com

Flying Squirrel

This popular Greenpoint toy store/consignment shop/neighborhood hub hosts three music get-togethers throughout the week. Monday (10:30 a.m.) and Thursday (11:15 a.m.) brings Tunes for Tykes with Brian Stearns and a giant drum. It’s $10 to drop in, and best for kids two and under. Lily Pad Music is on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. ($15), and music industry vet Willie Devargas brings his “super giant creatures” fun on Tuesday (10:30 a.m.) and Friday (1:30 p.m.); $15 gets you in.

Flying Squirrel
87 Oak St.
Greenpoint
718-218-7775
Online: flyingsquirrelbaby.com

Lark Cafe

Lark is a hotbed of indie music for kids, with musicians dropping in all week long for singalongs, most of which will run you $10. Check the weekly calendar for the latest info, but acts regularly rocking out in the small event space include Amy Miles, Miss Katie, The Buttons, Debbie Deane, Lloyd Miller, and Lavender Blues. You can also catch the 2019 Best Children's Album Grammy-award winner Lucy Kalantari, (pictured) who hosts a bi-lingual Spanish/English singalong here. 

1007 Church Ave. 
Kensington
718-469-0140
Online: larkcafe.com

Prospect Gymnastics

Got a tot that likes to tumble? Prospect Gymnastics holds drop-in open play for kids four and younger seven days a week! (Slots are about two hours and times vary with sessions in the mornings and afternoon; check registration page for specific time info.) Winter pricing is $15 per drop-in, or $100 for a 10-pack. 

Prospect Gymanstics
1023 Church Ave. 
Kensington 
718-484-0911
Online: prospectgymnastics.com

BAX, Brooklyn Arts Exchange

Drop in to the Brooklyn Arts Exchange, where for $10 kids four and younger can explore the open studio filled with hoops, tunnels, balls, books and more. Sessions take place on Mondays and Fridays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. 

BAX
421 Fifth Ave. 
Park Slope
718-832-0018
Online: bax.org

Edamama Cute Cuts and More

There is a lot happening at Edamama—and we’re not even including the haircuts! Most drop-ins (cash only) will run you $15. Happenings throughout the week include puppet fun with Puppetsburg (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m. and Noon); Singalong with Willie DeVargas (Thursday, 10:30 a.m. and Noon), Ari Band SIngalong (Wednesdays, 3:45); Thunder and Sunshine Singalong on Fridays,  and Open Play daily at 1 and 3:30 p.m. Plus: Movement and Music for Toddlers (Mondays, 9:30 a.m., 10: 30 a.m., and noon, and Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. and noon). 

Edamama
568 Union Ave.
Williamsburg
718-388-3663
Online: edamama.com

ELK Cafe
Greg Weiss, "Greg the Egg" has a standing date at Windsor Terrace spot Elk Cafe. Find him there for singalongs on Mondays at 1 p.m. Grab a snack and a drink and head out to the lovely backyard when the weather warms up! $10 per family. 

154 Prospect Park Southwest
718-853-5500
Windsor Terrace
Online: elkcoffee.com