19 Things To Do with Kids in Industry City

Located within a former industrial storage complex along the waterfront in Sunset Park, Industry City has evolved into a cultural and foodie hub. The eight formerly derelict, city-block-sized buildings, running from 33rd to 37th Streets between Second and Third Avenues, are now home to artist studios, workspaces, great shopping, art exhibitions, a chocolate factory, an international food hall, and even one of our favorite ice skating rinks. Recent additions also include a kid-friendly climbing gym and a tech-powered play space.

Industry City is the perfect spot for shoppers, food lovers, and families, offering a unique mix of tastes, sights, art, and family programming. Read on for 20 ways to make the most of a trip to Industry City with kids.

2. CREA Interactivity

Opened in May 2024, this tech-inspired indoor play space lets kids explore and play using interactive games. Each experience revolves around a themed quest, including Save the Ocean, Protect the Rain Forest, and Mission Hero Space Exploration. With activities geared toward kids ages 3-12, it’s the perfect spot if you have mixed-aged siblings to entertain.

RELATED: 24 Best Indoor Play Spaces in NYC

There are endless obstacles to scale at HAPIK, the brand-new climbing gym in Industry City.

3. HAPIK

With more than 15,000-square-feet of climbing space, HAPIK offers a variety of themed climbing walls that cater to comfort levels from beginners to seasoned climbers. Choose from climbing structures that have easy, medium, or hard routes. After tackling the themed climbing walls and ropes courses, try out the free-standing vertical structures.

4. Live Music

Spend a warm weekend afternoon listening to a live concert in the open courtyard. From jazz to rock and kids concerts, there’s something for every age and interest. Check out the online schedule for upcoming performances.

5. Court Tree Collective

Discover the work of emerging, contemporary artists at the Court Tree Collective gallery space established in 2013 by a group of artists and creatives with the primary purpose of representing and supporting the work of emerging and established contemporary artists.

RELATED: 50 Best Things To Do in Brooklyn with Kids

Powerhouse@IC offers a curated selection of fiction, nonfiction, art, and design books. Photo by Diana Kim

6. Powerhouse@IC

Browse stacks of expertly curated literary titles at the IC outpost of this Brooklyn mini-chain. This critically acclaimed publisher and retailer specializes in fine art, documentary, pop culture, fashion, and celebrity books, but you can also snag the latest romance novel or kids picture book.

7. Art Elevators

Venture into the ever-changing old-school freight elevators to check out whimsical, immersive murals that change with the seasons. Elevator art is created by Brooklyn artists who add their artistic touch to each elevator car.

8. Outdoor Rink

Take a spin on the alfresco ice skating rink in the courtyard of Buildings 5-6. Open seasonally, the rink offers kids skate hours with Santa during the holidays, discounted skating on certain days, and private and group lessons.

Joy Gymnastics was founded to create a community where kids can be themselves.

9. Joy Gymnastics

Dedicated to fostering a community that celebrates individuality, this gymnastics center offers classes, birthday parties, and a monthly date night drop-off where kids can tumble to their heart’s content while the adults explore Industry City.

10. Ongoing Events

Bookmark the Industry City calendar for an ongoing roster of kid-friendly special events and exhibitions, which have included the M.C. Escher exhibit, BRIC arts for kids, and a Brooklyn Children’s Museum block-building lab in the past.

11. Brooklyn Escape Room

The largest of Brooklyn’s escape rooms, this immersive space offers escape experiences with diverse themes and story lines such as spooky dungeons, haunted houses, and apocalyptic shelters. Games are appropriate for older kids and all rooms are private. The space is also available for birthday parties.

12. Brooklyn Game Knight

This gamer’s paradise offers a wide selection of board, card, and tabletop games for players of all ages to enjoy. Grab a table in the lounge or borrow a game from the “take away” library to play outdoors or in another location in Industry City.

 Think Talk Create is a learning studio that is dedicated to nurturing and empowering learners of all ages.

13. Think Talk Create

Featuring a variety of services that include tutoring services, workshops, pop-up events, and custom birthday party experiences, this creative learning studio creates a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere that sparks creativity for kids of all ages.

14. Mini Golf

Putt around on this FREE course in Courtyard 1-2, open during the warmer months only. Swing by the Burger Joint to borrow gear.

15. Wild Captives

This sleek archery studio offers empowering, fun, hour-long introduction to archery classes and workshops, including a beginner class for ages 12 and up. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Have a blast looking at all the candy and other fun Asian goodies at Sunrise Mart.

Family-Friendly Restaurants at Industry City

16. Japan Village

This gem is NYC’s first Japanese food hall. Slurp noodles, munch on Tokyo-style street food like Taiyaki (fish-shaped sweet buns), and savor sweet treats and teas. Browse Sunrise Mart downstairs for everything from fresh Japanese ingredients to imported snacks and meals. Head upstairs for anime finds at Book Off and just about everything you need at the wallet-friendly Daiso.

17. Li-Lac Chocolates

Founded in 1923, Li-Lac Chocolates is an artisan chocolate company specializing in small-batch, hand-made chocolate and gifts. Peek through the windows of this real chocolate factory and watch chocolates being made in real-time. Stop by around Valentine’s Day or Easter to snag the perfect sweet gift.

18. Sahadi’s

Stock up on nuts, dried fruits, Mediterranean-style deli and prepared foods, and taste local beer and wine at this outpost of the popular Brooklyn Heights grocery store. There’s also an indoor dining area and outdoor seating, complete with overhead heat lamps for chillier days.

19. Outdoor Dining

Eat your way around the world without ever leaving the city. Choose from more than 40 global food vendors and dine in the covered outdoor dining areas—the self-proclaimed largest outdoor dining area in NYC—with heaters to keep you warm and cozy. Most restaurants at IC offer takeout options. You can find a full list here.

Find more new-to-you Brooklyn hotspots to explore in our neighborhood guides to Gowanus, Bed-Stuy, Red Hook, and more.

Unless noted, photos courtesy of the venues.

Originally published in 2019. Rosalind Muggeridge contributed additional reporting.