Instead of learning about food from a page, imagine children exploring it through cooking, gardening and hands-on discovery.
That’s the idea behind the Brooklyn Children’s Food Festival, returning to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum on July 25, with a day dedicated to hands-on learning that celebrates the borough’s rich food culture and the people who help it grow.
President and CEO of Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Atiba T. Edwards, said in a statement that this event, along with the rest of their summer programming, is about “joyful learning, creativity and connection.”
“We’re excited to welcome families for a season of hands-on programs that invite children to move, make, explore, and celebrate the cultures and communities that make Brooklyn so special,” Edwards continued.
Presented in partnership with Brooklyn Supported Agriculture, the festival invites families to explore Brooklyn’s food system through interactive experiences that introduce children to cooking, gardening, composting, food science and art. Rather than simply teaching where food comes from, organizers hope kids will discover it firsthand by planting, tasting, creating and experimenting.
The event also highlights the connections between local farms, community gardens, chefs, composters and food entrepreneurs while encouraging young visitors to think about sustainability and healthy eating in an engaging, playful environment.
Families can take part in a variety of activities led by local organizations from across Brooklyn. BK Rot, a bike-powered food waste and composting service, will introduce their concepts to young minds. Black Girl Environmentalist, an organization that helps educate “Black girls, women and gender-expansive people” of the climate movement, will facilitate food science experiments. Pastable, a food-literacy nonprofit, will hold pasta-making workshops throughout the day.
The Brooklyn Children’s Food Festival on July 25 will give children the opportunity to get their hands dirty.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann
Attendees can also participate in hands-on activities throughout more partnered organizations. Oko Farms, the city’s “only publicly accessible aquaponics farm, educational center, and community hub,” will explore plants in a sensory adventure, while artist Faith Brown will hold a cupcake decorating workshop using natural dyes. Semilla Homeschool Co-op will help kids make herbal blends, Field Meridians’ artists will showcase their expansive seed library and Green Beetz will host seed-focused activities.
Other activities include kid-friendly meditation from Our Family Tree and basil planting workshops hosted by the Red Hook Initiative, giving children opportunities to connect with nature while learning the importance of growing food in their own communities.
The festival is part of the Brooklyn Children’s Museum’s summer programming, which includes interactive exhibits, World Cup-themed events and cultural celebrations throughout July and August. Their next event, Celebrate the Caribbean on Aug. 8, will be in collaboration with the West Indian American Day Carnival Association to “feel the rhythm of Carnival culture.”