Searching for new fun indoor activities? If your kid loves music, singing and dancing, yet you don’t want to pay top dollar for a 12-week session of classes, head to one of our favorite drop-in sing alongs happening in Brooklyn. We found a sing along to fill any holes in your schedule each day of the week, Monday through Friday – some are even free! Depending on which one you choose, there may even be a cappuccino in it for you.
Monday
Sing Along (in Spanish) with Ale at Juguemos a Cantar
Jugemos a Cantar is a Spanish language immersion program designed specifically for little ones. Check out their South Slope location for drop-in sing alongs on Monday, Thursday and Friday afternoons. Monday’s class is bilingual – beginners and fluent Spanish speakers alike will love singing, dancing and shaking along to the music. Admission also includes access to the play space before and after class.
When: 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm, Mondays
Cost: $10/child (includes play space access)
Go: Juguemos a Cantar
463 6th Avenue at 10th Street, South Slope
917-453-1187
Rolie Polie Guacamole Sing Along with Frank at Lark Cafe
The Flatbush coffee shop hosts a late-afternoon jam session with Frank Gallo of Rolie Polie Guacamole, one of Brooklyn’s favorite kindie bands. Rock out as he sings from classic kid books like Brown Bear, Brown Bear, and performs some of the band’s original songs about healthy living. Who couldn’t use a reminder to Always Brush Your Teeth?
Note: If you can’t catch Frank at Lark, he also does a regular drop-in on Wednesdays at Two Moon Café (315 4th Avenue) in Park Slope at 2:30 pm and 3:30 pm.
When: 4:15 pm, Mondays
Cost: $5/family
Go: Lark Cafe
1007 Church Avenue, Ditmas Park
718-469-0140
Tuesday
Drum-a-Long with Ivan at Play Kids
Catch the beat with Ivan and his Djembe drum at this locally owned toy store in Prospect Park Lefferts Gardens. He remixes favorite kiddie tunes, and gives them a funky island vibe.
Note: Ivan also makes his musical rounds, doing weekly drop-ins at Two Moon Café (315 4th Avenue) on Thursday mornings at 10:00 am.
Cost: $5/family
Go: Play Kids
676 Flatbush Avenue, Prospect Park Lefferts Gardens
347-715-9347
Rocking Chair Music at Caribou Baby
The sunny family area of this eco-friendly baby and maternity store fills up quickly for this weekly sing along. A rotating group of musicians take to the beautiful rocking chair to get the group grooving.
Note: Classes often sell out, so be sure to buy your tickets in advance online or at the store.
When: 11:30 am & 12:30 pm, Tuesdays
Cost: $5/family
Go: Caribou Baby
272 Driggs Avenue, Williamsburg
347-460-2229
Toddler Time with Mary Jo at Two Moon Cafe
It may be called “Toddler Time,” but actor, comedian and musician Mary Jo Poppins will make sure everyone in the audience is entertained. Her one-woman variety show is a 5-D experience, complete with props and costume changes. Sing along as she belts out children’s favorites with a sprinkling of pop classics that will be a treat for you as well as your kids.
Note: The space can get tight, so leave the strollers at home, if possible. Also, if you miss Mary Jo at Two Moon, you can catch her at 10:00 am on Sunday mornings at Lark Cafe (1007 Church Avenue).
315 4th Ave, Park Slope
631-559-2852
Wednesday
Yellow Sneaker Sing Along at Tea Lounge
You never know which characters will show up at this colorful weekly party. The Yellow Sneaker puppets (and their human companions) will get your babes to boogie along to their original songs about eating healthy. Don’t be surprised if your little one asks for a rutabaga for dinner when you get home.
837 Union Street, Park Slope
718-789-2762
Hopalong Andrew Sing Along at Five Spot Soul Food
Do-si-do on over to this Clinton Hill soul food spot for an old-fashioned good time. Hopalong Andrew plays a mix of folk favorites and cool Western-style remixes of popular kiddie tunes. Be sure to come hungry to this sing along. Admission includes a complimentary buffet. Yum!
When: 11:30 am, Wednesdays
Cost: $10/family
Go: Five Spot Soul Food
459 Myrtle Avenue, Clinton Hill
718-852-0202
Disco Time with Yoni and Gilad at the Windsor Terrace Library
Yoni, the puppet, travels all the way from Israel for this disco dance party that will have everyone doing the Hebrew Pokie. While you can catch this singalong at the library, it’s put on in conjunction with the Kings Bay Y of Windsor Terrace.
160 East 5th Street, Windsor Terrace
Thursday
Sing Along with Lloyd of the Deedle Deedle Dees at Dean Street
Lloyd Miller of the Brooklyn-based educational band, The Deedle Deedle Dees, leads this interactive, folksy, rock-n-roll history lesson complete with kid classics and original songs. Kids will have so much fun that they’ll forget they’re actually learning something.
755 Dean Street, Prospect Heights
718-783-3326
Friday
Miss Nina Sing Along at Two Moon Cafe
315 4th Ave, Park Slope
631-559-2852
Sing Along with Suzanna at Play Greenpoint
Former contestant on NBC’s The Voice, Suzanna Choffel, leads this interactive dance party. Drum along as she puts her unique spin on everything from Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star to the Beatles and Bob Marley.
Note: Suzanna also has a Tuesday morning sing along session at Play Greenpoint.
When: 1:30 pm, Fridays
Cost: $33/family
Go: Play Greenpoint
33 Nassau Avenue, Greenpoint
718-387-2071
Singalong with Jarrod at Greenlight Bookstore
Head over to this Fort Greene favorite for a free sing along for babies and toddlers. Jarrod strums his guitar, putting music to popular children’s books.
When: 2:30 pm, Fridays
Cost: Free
Go: Greenlight Bookstore
686 Fulton Street, Fort Greene
718-246-0200
Did we miss your favorite drop-in sing along? Tell us about it in the comments.
–Angela Johnson-Archer
Photo Credits: Lark Cafe, Caribou Baby, Hopalong Andrew, Angela Johnson-Archer
