The Big Brooklyn Playdate
Creating a Sensory Crawl for the Explore on the Floor zone where babies can explore sensory materials.
At Brooklyn Public Library, we host sensory-learning events for children ages 0-3 and their caregivers, emphasizing the critical role of play in early brain and language development. Play helps babies and toddlers build essential cognitive skills like object permanence, spatial awareness, and problem-solving while fostering physical, emotional, and social growth. Language development is also a key focus of the Playdate. As caregivers engage with children during play—narrating actions, naming objects, and asking questions—they strengthen communication and vocabulary. These interactions help children connect words to their experiences, enhancing both understanding and self-expression.
Our annual Big Brooklyn Playdate transforms the Central Library’s lower level into a world of sensory play, gross and fine motor activities, art explorations, and more for up to 150 children and caregivers. Activities, or “Play Recipes,” are open-ended, allowing children to engage at their developmental level. Using everyday materials, we encourage families to recreate these activities at home, supported by conversation starters that extend both play and language development.
Each year, we also train children’s librarians to bring Playdates to branches across Brooklyn, ensuring more families can experience the joy and benefits of play. These events highlight how simple, engaging activities can stimulate a young child’s brain, nurture their curiosity, and build the critical language skills that are foundational for future learning and literacy development.
Check out the #BigBrooklynPlaydate on Instagram