The best of Prospect Park East
Here's a quick list of the best that the east side of Propsect Park has to offer:

Imagination Playground
When you first see it you might think it's called Imagination Playground because kids have to imagine that there's a playground here. You wont find swings, slides, jungle gyms or any of the standard playground fixtures. You will find such high concept gems as a water spouting dragon, cut outs that let kids pretend they're different animals and a bronze tribute to Peter and his dog Willie from the Ezra Keats children's books. In the summertime check out the Prospect Park web site for a list of events in the playground's small performance area.
Enter at Ocean Avenue/Lincoln Road entrance and turn left.
Lincoln Playground
Kids tired of abstract fun? Take them to this recently renovated old-fashioned playground with jungle gyms galore, frogs that spray water, slides, swings for little kids, a tire swing and more.
Enter at Ocean Avenue/Lincoln Road entrance and turn right.
Audubon Center
While some of the exhibits may fly over the heads of younger visitors, there's enough to climb into and look through (like a bird's head to see a bird's eye view of the world) to entertain most kids. Grab a snack at the cafe and enjoy it at a table by the water. For $3 each (kids 2 and over pay full fare) you can also enjoy a 25 minute guided tour of Prospect Lake in the Independence - a silent electric boat. Kids will love the turtles and birds that abound and you can relax taking in the lovely lake and the fairy tale beauty of the newly renovated boat house. Enter at Ocean Avenue/Lincoln Road entrance, cross over roadway, bear right and follow the signs (or yellow painted duck feet on the ground) leading you through the tunnel.	The Audubon Center/Boathouse Touring the Lake in the Electric Boat
Prospect Park Wildlife Center (a.k.a. "da zoo")
While the Bronx Zoo has nothing to fear from Brooklyn's modest animal collection, this is a great place to bring especially younger children. While all kids will probably wish the zoo still housed lions and tigers and bears, they will still have a blast feeding the farm animals (bring quarters), and seeing the sea lions, exotic fish, baboons, prairie dogs, meerkats and more. Small enough to be enjoyed in an afternoon and full of approachable animals (especially on the outdoor nature path) this one is definitely worth a visit.
Enter at the Flatbush Avenue entrance between Grand Army Plaza and Empire Boulevard or at the entrance to the right of the carousel at the Flatbush/Ocean Avenue entrance to the park.
Feed the Ducks on Prospect Lake
Younger kids should get a kick out of feeding the ducks (and Canada geese and others) on Propsect Lake. Be sure to follow the recommendation to feed them unsalted popcorn and not bread (which is apparently bad for them).
Enter at Parkside Avenue/Ocean Avenue entrance (or any entrance near the lake) and walk around until you spot the little critters.
Discovery/Children's Gardens at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden
The Discovery Garden is a wonderful place where kids explore curving pathways that lead to imaginative kid-size exhibits, beautiful flowers, little houses, big metal spiders and other fun little spaces. The Children's Garden was inaugurated way back in 1914 and was the first of its kind in the US. Each year 500 children learn first hand about the pleasures of gardening by growing their own crops and flowers with the help of expert instructors. This program is quite popular so call early to register (718-623-7220).
Enter at the Empire Blvd/Flatbush Ave. just across from the Carousel entrance to Prospect Park.
The Carousel at Prospect Park
This classic old fashioned carousel with handpainted horses was assembled in the 1950s from pieces taken from two turn-of-the-century Coney Island carousels. It was completely renovated in the 1980s and looks, moves and sounds great. Open on weekends and holidays (except during winter months) the carousel can also be rented out for private parties.
Enter at the Flatbush/Ocean Avenue entrance to the park.
Ice Skating and Pedal Boats at Wollman Rink
Ice Skating at the rink is open from November to March - call 718-287-6431 for more information. Pedal Boats can be rented for self-propelled tours around Prospect Lake Thursday through Sunday at Wollman Rink from mid-May through Columbus day. The cost is $10 an hour plus a $10 refundable deposit.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden An oasis of peace in a bustling borough - there is nothing more relaxing than an unhurried walk in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (except when it's packed to the gills for a special event). Immaculately cared for gardens of every description make it easy to forget you are in the city. Go on a weekday for ultimate peace and check out the Rose Arc and Cherry Esplanade, the Japanese Garden (take a break in the shade of the viewing house) and Brooklyn Celebrity Path (where else on the planet could you find a tribute to Abe Vigoda?). Little kids will enjoy the turtles, ducks, fish and occasional rabbit. There is also fun to be had in the three indoor pavilions (desert, tropical and warm temperate). Enter at the Eastern Parkway, Washington Ave. or Flatbush Ave./Empire Blvd. entrances. Admission is $8 (for more info on BBG admission prices, see the write-up on the Terrace Cafe' in the Food & Drink section) and annual memberships are available (if you don't care about the gift shop and cafe discount that come with membership, ask about the cheaper "Frequent Visitor Pass").

Maple Street School
A small cooperative started by a group of parents from Lefferts Manor back in 1977, the school has flourished into one of Brooklyn's finest pre-schools. Once on Maple Street, now improbably housed in a beautifully renovated portion of the Prospect Park subway station, the school has grown to more than 50 students. The kids enjoy time in the nearby park and watching the S train going by out the back window. The school also offers summer programs.