Tired of the same old outings with the kids? Looking for something new to do? We’ve got you covered. Long Island Mamas has compiled a great list of things to do with kids on Long Island to solve those “Mom, what are doing today?” dilemmas.
Visit the Long Island Museum of American Art, History & Carriages, a museum in Stony Brook dedicated to American history and art with a Long Island connection.
Go fishing at Captree State Park in Babylon.
At the Cradle of Aviation in Garden City, visitors can learn about Long Island’s contributions to American aviation
With more than ten exhibits for all ages, the Long Island Children’s Museum in Garden City is a great way to spend a rainy day!
Learn about fire prevention and local volunteer fire services at the Nassau County Firefighters Museum in Garden City.
Suffolk County Farm in Riverhead, with its working farm with plenty of fun for all ages, is a great place to visit.
While out east in Bridgehampton, visit the Children’s Museum East End for a fun filled time!
With 25 Acres and over 100 animals, the Long Island Game Farm has something for both kids and adults to enjoy.
Tour the Fire Island Lighthouse and take in the scenic views.
With the largest living collection of freshwater reptiles, fish and amphibians, Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery makes for a fun day.
Enjoy a variety of artistic performances in Stony Brook at the Staller Center for the Arts.
Take the kids to Open Play at Kangaroo Kids in Deer Park and enjoy a huge room of bouncy inflatables!
From April to September baseball fans can enjoy a Long Island Ducks minor league baseball game in Central Islip.
On the second and last Sundays of the month from May through October, visitors of the Long Island Live Steamers trains can enjoy a ride through acres of Suffolk county woodlands in Brookhaven.
Step back in time to a mid-19th century American village in the 209 acre Old Bethpage Village Restoration.
On Sundays from 1 pm-4 pm, Family Sundays at the Nassau County Art Museum in Roslyn Harbor offers supervised art activities for youngsters and adults. Reservations are not needed.
At the Maritime Explorium in Port Jefferson, a different, hands-on exhibit is offered every week in addition to their regular exhibits.
Jungle Bobs Reptile World in Centereach is a full service reptile pet store that kids who love animals will enjoy!
Go mini golfing at Tiki Action Park in Centereach.
At Krisch’s Ice Cream Parlor in Massapequa, diners can enjoy a retro 50s style burger, fries and homemade ice cream.
The Long Island Maritime Museum teaches visitors about local maritime history.
With rides and games, Adventureland has been a staple on Long Island since 1962. Open year round for family fun anytime!
Visit Cold Spring Harbor State Park which offers 40 acres of hilly and scenic terrain, then go into town and get a meal at one of the many cute restaurants on Main St.
Open from Late May to the end of August, Splish Splash in Riverhead has 96 acres of water fun!
With fun for everyone, Eisenhower Park in East Meadow is a great way to spend a day. Miniature golf, playgrounds, batting cages and an aquatic center are just a few of the many activities available.
Long Island Science Center in Riverhead shows kids how to enjoy Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
Visit the Shinnecock Nation Museum in Southampton and learn about Native American culture
Looking for an outdoor activity? Pack a lunch and take a bike ride on the Massapequa Bike Path.
Visit Cantiague Park in Hicksville for playgrounds, miniature golf, a driving range and more! And with an indoor ice skating rink, families can enjoy this activity year round.
With a playground, petting zoo and aviary, White Post Farms in Melville has year round fun. With special activities during the spring and fall, families can easily spend the day there.
Visit the African-American Museum of Nassau in Hempstead to open kids eyes to African-American local history.
From May to October, families can take a ferry ride to Fire Island to visit the Sunken Forest. While not really sunken, the illusion is spectacular and enjoyable for all.
Children love trains! Visit the Long Island Railroad Museum in Greenport and Riverhead on Saturdays. One admission price, two locations to enjoy!
Visit Coindre Hall Park in Huntington, a 33 acre park with a 80,000 square foot mansion overlooking Huntington Harbor. The large grounds are perfect for kids to run around in.
The Labyrinth in Avalon Park near Stony Brook is a great place to enjoy the outdoors and spend some time as a family.
Belmont Lake State Park in West Babylon offers visitors fishing, picnicking and 7.6 miles of trails for enjoyment.
With year round exhibits, the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead gives an up close look at some underwater creatures that families might not ever get to see.
Go horseback riding in Hempstead Lake State Park.
Nissequogue River State Park in Kings Park has a variety of activities and provides scenic views of the river and the Long Island Sound from the top of the bluffs.
At the Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum families can explore and learn about Long Island’s whaling history and kids can participate in a scavenger hunt too!
With over 200 miles, the Long Island Greenbelt Trail has sections for beginners as well as advanced hikers.
Climb to the top of the Montauk Lighthouse on the East End.
At Safari Adventure kids can climb, slide and navigate through a four-level playground, jump and play in an enormous bouncer or be challenged by more than 40 interactive games.
From laser tag to rock climbing, to navigating a huge maze, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Active Kidz.
Ride the antique carousel in Greenport’s Mitchell Park.
Le Play Cafe In Bellmore is a great place for children ages 6 months to 6 years. With a climbing structure and a slide, soft play blocks, a kitchen, play food an ice cream stand and more, they won’t be bored!!
Once Upon a Treetop in Plainview offers kids classes, a store filled with educational toys, and a HUGE, fun play area that kids can have fun for hours.
Visit the Heckscher Museum of Art located in quaint Hecksher Park in Huntington.
“Daytime Playtime” at Wood Kingdom West in Farmingdale runs from 10 am-2 pm daily and includes cookies and juice for guests to enjoy.
Fun4all is half an acre of indoor play for ages 1-15 with age appropriate activities. It features slides and towers, treehouse play, tunnels, preschool play areas, inflatable bouncers and slides.
Enjoy a family show at the Gateway Playhouse in Bellmore.
At the Animal Farm Petting Zoo in Manorville, families can enjoy getting up close to feed goats, sheep, pigs and more.
Ride the bumper boats and more at Bayville Adventure Park in Bayville.
The Town of Brookhaven Wildlife and Ecology Center Animal Preserve has over 100 injured or non-releasable wild animals and farm animals that are available for viewing.
Take the ferry to Fire Island and enjoy the relaxing ride.
Visit the Big Duck in Riverhead. Every Long Islander should visit this historical monument at least once!
Gaze at the stars at the Vanderbilt Planetarium in Centerport.
Go on a seal spotting walk at Cupsogue Beach County Park in Westhampton
Lose track of time in the beautiful Clark Botanical Gardens in Albertson.
Enjoy the buffet brunch while watching the planes take off and land from the 56th Fighter Group in Farmingdale.
Go for a ride at the Country Fair Entertainment Park in Medford.
Browse the shops at Milleridge Inn in Jericho.
Sit back and enjoy a performance at the Broadhollow Theatre in Elmont.
Get science education for all ages at Center for Science Teaching and Learning in Rockville Centre.
Enjoy a puppet show at the Long Island Puppet Theater in Hicksville.
Take art and music classes at Not Just Art in Oyster Bay, and check out their cute toy store too!
Learn about pedestrian and bicycle safety at Safety Town in Brookhaven.
Learn about whales at the Sag Harbor Whaling Museum in Sag Harbor.
See a family performance at the Engeman Theater in Northport.
Take the family for a fun outing at Boomers in Medford.
Explore art exhibits and do fun activities at Hofstra University in Hempstead(second Saturdays).
See theater, musical or children’s shows at the Tilles Center in Brookville.
Watch live performances at NYCB Theater in Westbury.
Have fun ice skating in an indoor rink at Rinx in Hauppauge.
Go roller-skating at Hot Skates in Lynbrook.
Participate in or watch a show at Cultural Arts Playhouse in Wantagh.
Visit the Stony Brook Grist Mill, a working grist mill in Stony Brook that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Take a trip on a pontoon boat with The Discovery Wetlands Cruise in Stony Brook
Take a ride on Nunley’s Carousel located in between the Cradle of Aviation Museum and Long Island Children’s Museum in Garden City.
Watch a car race at Riverhead Raceway in Riverhead.
Rent a kayak or canoe in Riverhead from Peconic Paddler and take a trip around Peconic Bay.
Take a scenic walk at Stony Brook Village Center and enjoy the shops and restaurants.
Bounce around on the inflatable rides at Bouncers & Slydos in Farmingdale.
Go to Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown and check out the Butterfly Exhibit.
Watch a NY Lizards lacrosse game in Hempstead.
Walk around Garvies Point Museum and Preserve in Glen Cove and see the artifacts on display and than take a visit to the preserve.
Take a trip to Hallockville Museum in Riverhead and take a museum tour or take one of their educational workshops or classes.
Jump around at Hop N Bop play center in Smithtown.
Visit Kiddie City USA in Glen Head, a giant play city for kids with a grocery store, boutique, and more!
Jump around at Bounce! Trampoline Sports in Syosset.
Walk around Sagamore Hill National Park to enjoy the view or go and see the Theodore Roosevelt Museum and Sanctuary that’s also there – with miles or hiking paths and a nature education center, kids of all ages will love visiting here!
Get a sweet treat at Herrell’s Ice Cream in Huntington to choose from over 200 flavors that they make themselves!
Sit and enjoy a theater performance at Theatre Three in Port Jefferson.
Enjoy a variety of performances at the Bayway Arts Center in East Islip.
Take a trip to Iceland Long Island in New Hyde Park where the entire family will have an enjoyable time ice skating.
See a performance at Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts in Smithtown.
Take the kids to see an entertaining and fun filled performance at CM Performing Arts Center in Oakdale.
Family owned for decades, locals love Reinwald Bakery in Huntington for everything from pies and cakes to cookies and Italian desserts. Stop in to pick up a sweet treat!
Enjoy the activities and games at Dave and Busters.
Even if you’re not a member, stop by the Cold Spring Harbor library, a beautiful center with waterfront views and a kids section that includes not just toys, but also books, comfy couches and computers.
By Pamela Boccia and Mikaela Walker