Subscribe to our newsletters to get stories like this delivered directly to your inbox.

Is Brooklyn’s Chinatown Worth Visiting with Kids?

Sunset Park's Chinatown is a vibrant neighborhood to visit with kids. It's a great place to take in the sights and sounds, as well as some unique smells (if you've never smelled stinky tofu before, it's quite an experience). This stretch of Chinatown in Brooklyn is a completely different experience from Manhattan's Chinatown.

Sunset Park is less touristy, more local, and surprisingly kid-friendly. You won't find any peddlers trying to sell you knockoffs or souvenir shops with "I survived NYC" T-shirts here. If you enjoy exploring the different cultures that make NYC the melting pot it is, and especially if you love trying new foods, Sunset Park's Chinatown is worth a visit.

Insider Tips for Visiting Sunset Park’s Chinatown with Kids

My personal favorite route through Chinatown with my daughter typically follows this path: We take the B9 to 8th Avenue and 60th Street and browse the fun snacks and collectibles at TESO. Then, we wander down 8th Avenue and get some buns at one of the assortment of bakeries (usually our favorite, Baker Wah). Then, we leave Chinatown for Sunset Park or peruse the fun goodies at Five Below on 53rd and 5th Avenue. Finally, we make our way down to Industry City and hang out there for the rest of the day—but take note, this is a long walk!

Local grocers pedal seafood streetside along 8th Avenue.

The streets along 8th Avenue are typically bustling with people nearly all day, every day. This vibrant community is part of the experience, but it can also get quite crowded. If you don't mind the foot traffic, I recommend walking along the eastern side of 8th Avenue to avoid stepping on fish and seafood runoff from the grocers on the west side. If you want to walk through an incredibly tranquil residential neighborhood instead, then you might want to walk along 9th Avenue. For something in between—much calmer and less crowded but still cute little stores to explore—7th Avenue is the better option. 

You can find restrooms at the Leif Ericson Playground, as well as in Sunset Park. Paris Baguette also has a restroom that you can use with any purchase (a bun can be purchased for less than $5). Although this is Chinatown, most menus and listings are available in English, and waitstaff and cashiers also speak English. That said, the best places to eat and drink are typically the ones where English use is minimal.

Best Things To Do in Brooklyn’s Chinatown with Kids

TESO

Why families love it: TESO offers mostly Japanese, plus Korean and Chinese, snacks and cosmetics. The biggest draw for families are the crane games lining the entrance, offering cute prizes in claw machines that are about $1-5 per try (free tokens are awarded for passing certain pricepoints). There's also a photo booth in the left corner when you walk in, and some adorable displays of collectible figures that are always a joy to browse through.
Best for ages: Toddlers and older.
Insider tip: If you're overwhelmed by the snack options, try one of my family's favorites: Jelly B Konjac jelly pouches (under 10 calories, no added sugar, and less than $2!)
Skip if: Your kids are going to want every snack in the store. Though the prices are reasonable, it's easy to get carried away and want to try everything!

You never know what will fall from the Gachapon machines at Ebisu, and that's part of the allure!

Ebisu

Why families love it: Ebisu is another Japanese store that has similar wares to TESO but is smaller and stocks slightly more high-value snacks, cosmetics, and cute household wares. The main attractions for kids are the Gachapon blind-bag machines at the front. For $4-10 per go, you get a capsule with a mystery toy or figurine from a beloved brand, like Pokémon, Sanrio, and many more.
Best for ages: 3 and up.
Insider tip: Ebisu is slightly more expensive, but it also has some options that aren't available at TESO. It also stocks my favorite Japanese shampoo brand, Lux, which is hard to come by anywhere else.

Max Funland

Why families love it: Max Funland is an indoor adventure playground and trampoline park with arcade, capsule and claw machines, giant ball and foam pits, and a huge, safe climbing structure.
Best for ages: Babies through tweens.
Insider tip: There's something to do for nearly any age at Max Funland. It's even a great spot for very young children, since there are small pre-toddler-sized trampolines. It also has extended hours on holidays and non-school days.

Sweety Shop

Why families love it: This store is a treasure trove of cute accessories and trinkets like keychains, hair clips, bracelets, trading cards, and more.
Best for ages: Elementary and middle school-aged kids who like to accessorize. 
Insider tip: This is a great place to get unique, cute gifts for the 7-12 age group.
Skip if: You have smaller kids. The aisles are narrow and full of small, grabbable items.

Best Food Experiences in Sunset Park's Chinatown for Kids

99 Favor Taste

Why families love it: Delicious and affordable all-you-can-eat hotpot and Korean barbecue is served in a friendly, well-lit atmosphere. Eat free on birthdays, enjoy a special treat, and receive a visit and a song from the birthday monkey.
Best for ages: 7 and up—unless your little ones are adventurous eaters who can be trusted to sit still around hot appliances.
Insider tip: My favorite sauce combination is sesame sauce, chili oil, and garlic. Keep little hands clear of the hotpot, since it stays hot the entire time!
Skip if: Your kids are picky eaters. There are a lot of very strong flavors here!

King’s Kitchen

Why families love it: This Cantonese restaurant offers a taste of real Chinese food, served with expertly roasted meats over imported rice. The meals are delicious, portions are large, and prices are very affordable.
Best for ages: All-ages
Insider tip: This spot's specialty is claypot dishes, which serves meals in thick clay pots that keep the food heated as you eat. Definitely give these a try, but keep little hands out of reach of the hot plates!

Mango Mango

Why families love it: You can't go wrong with the sweet treats at Mango Mango, a dessert and drinks spot specializing in mango (surprised?) treats. From parfaits and ice creams to cakes and waffles, there's something for everyone at this unique spot.
Best for ages: All-ages
Insider tip: This is a great way to get picky eaters to try something new (like pomelo, lychee, or durian) by combining it with the familiar flavor of mango.
Skip if: You don't like mango. It's in the name!

Baker Wah serves sweet and savory breads for very reasonable prices.

Baker Wah

Why families love it: There are several bakeries along 8th Avenue, and they're all great spots to find a cheap and delicious bun. My family's favorite, though, is Baker Wah between 52nd and 53rd Streets. It's brightly lit and clean, has some two-person tables, and serves delicious buns that are always fresh.
Best for ages: 3 and older
Insider tip: The prices here are unmatched, with buns priced at $2-5. Our favorites are garlic bread for a savory treat and the pineapple bun and lava bun for a sweet fix. Its pre-packaged sandwiches are surprisingly good, too.
Skip if: You have gluten intolerances in your family. This place is all about the buns!

Outdoor Activities near Brooklyn’s Chinatown for Families

Leif Ericson Playground And Park

Why families love it: This playground's name is a throwback to when the area was predominantly Scandinavian. The playground has several climbing structures and simple fitness equipment for adults and older kids. Its flower-shaped sprinklers make it a great spot to stop by in the summer.
Best for ages: All-ages
Insider tip: This is where you can find one of the only public restrooms in the Sunset Park Chinatown area.

Quaker Parrot Park at the Dust Bowl

Why families love it: Once simply called the Dust Bowl, this soccer and baseball field is a spot where kids can run around on the turf or catch a local game. The park is named after the wild quaker parrots who once made their homes in the lights, though we couldn't spot any nests when we visited.
Best for ages: All-ages
Parent insider tip: You can check the upcoming game schedule and sign up for soccer programs on the 06 United Instagram page. 
Skip if: It's cold out. When we visited in the winter, the field was desolate and empty. The field is much more fun to visit when there are people in it and games to watch or participate in!

Sunset Park

Why families love it: This sprawling park is technically just past the unofficial Chinatown area, but I can't talk about the neighborhood without mentioning its namesake. The 24 1/2-acre park has something for everyone, including playgrounds, fitness equipment, many grassy areas for relaxation and exploration, and a great recreation center with a free summer pool. 
Best for ages: All-ages
Parent insider tip: The steps on the park's 5th Avenue and 41st Street corner are very steep, so watch your step! This corner has the best views, though, rising high above the street level and offering a fantastic view of the Manhattan skyline.

FAQs for Visiting Brooklyn Chinatown with Kids

Is Brooklyn’s Chinatown stroller-friendly?
There's not much wiggle room for strollers along 8th Avenue. However, you can easily walk along 7th or 9th Avenues with tots in tow instead, then duck on 8th Avenue closer to your destination.

How is Sunset Park's Chinatown different from Manhattan’s Chinatown?
Manhattan's Chinatown draws lots of tourists, and its stores and attractions reflect this with kitsch souvenirs, fashion bag peddlers, and jewelry stores. By contrast, Sunset Park's Chinatown has a more authentic feel, with stores and restaurants that cater to the locals instead of tourists.

Is Brooklyn Chinatown safe for families?
Absolutely. The Sunset Park Chinatown is always busy, and is surrounded by calm and quiet neighborhoods that are safe to explore for families.

At what age will kids enjoy Brooklyn Chinatown the most?
My daughter and I have been coming to the Sunset Park Chinatown since she was a toddler. From my personal experience, the area is best for kids ages 5 or so and up—old enough to walk around without a stroller, browse stores without begging, and be excited to try new foods. If your kids have these qualities, regardless of their age, they'll probably enjoy it, as well!

Do restaurants in Brooklyn Chinatown accommodate picky eaters?
There aren't too many options for picky eaters at the Sunset Park Chinatown. That said, there are plenty of opportunities to broaden a child's horizons by combining something familiar, like a sweet bun, with something new, like red bean paste.

How do you get to Brooklyn’s Chinatown from Manhattan?
The N train at 8th Avenue stops right at 62nd Street for easy access to the area. On the other end of the neighborhood, you can catch the D train at 9th Avenue, between 38th and 39th Streets. When you're ready to head back, hop on the B70 bus, which runs along 8th Avenue.

Is English widely spoken in Brooklyn Chinatown?
Yes, most waitstaff and cashiers understand and speak enough English to communicate.

READ NEXT: Best Lunar New Year Celebrations in NYC

All photos by the author