Summer on Long Island is the best time for splashing, surfing the waves, and laying by the pool. But sometimes the extreme heat can make it hard to do anything outside with kids. Thankfully, there are plenty of exciting things to do indoors. Here then are our top choices for Long Island indoor play spaces where families can beat the heat with kids of any age.

For all things summer, check out our Summer Fun Guide.

Orlando has no shortage of water activities to keep your family cool this summer, including natural springs, public pools, boat trips, nearby beaches, and more. For those families looking for an active adventure on the water, paddleboard or kayak in Orlando for a tour that can’t be beat. There are plenty of places to rent kayaks and paddleboards in Orlando and explore the beautiful natural waterways the area has to offer.

Candytopia, an immersive, candy-themed pop-up experience is back to give the whole family a sugar rush of fun. Returning to Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Houston this summer, Candytopia has been a reliable source of indoor fun and a chance to momentarily live like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The experiential art exhibit is part Instagram-fodder, part sugary/rainbow explosion, with more than a dozen rooms featuring interactive displays, games, and candy to sample. Candytopia has toured the country previously—stopping in major cities and amassing selfie-snapping fans as it goes—and now it's time to close out summer once again with this tasty experience!

Looking for some fun along with your food? From knights and horses to pirates to magicians, loads of Los Angeles restaurants offer themed and interactive dinner shows for the entire family—after all, this is the entertainment capital of the world! You might land in the middle of a recreated land or find yourself with dinner shows served on the side—every single one of these spots will make your next family meal a bit more magical.

Check out our restaurant guide for more kid-friendly eating experiences in Los Angeles, including restaurants where kids can play while parents eat, gorgeous restaurants with outdoor dining, and even mouth watering treats that dazzle kids of all ages.

Small and not-so-small jazz hands across Long Island, rejoice: Long Island has an abundance of dance classes with specialties in many areas, including fan favorites such as hip hop, ballet, and Broadway. Some dance classes even offer virtual instruction.

Check out our list below of dance classes across Long island that offer instruction in different genres, age ranges, and abilities. And for more inspiration, check out our guide to classes across Long Island for kids.   

Where can you snap a selfie with the world’s fastest military jets? Stand beneath a world-renowned space shuttle? Or climb aboard the only guided missile submarine that’s open to the public? Since reopening its doors in March 2021, the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum has been welcoming families back to its home at Pier 86 with new safety guidelines, as well as new and restored exhibits alongside its tried and true attractions.

Wondering what to expect at the Intrepid Museum these days? Read on for answers to some of the most asked questions about visiting the historic complex since it reopened.

Lincoln Center's Big Umbrella Festival—the first performing arts fest with programming specifically geared toward autistic audiences—is set for a September return taking over Josie Robertson Plaza and the sprawling outdoor Restart Stages venues for three days of performances beginning Friday, September 17.

As our daily lives have become more technology-dependent, children have the opportunity to use their screentime to gain coding skills to prepare them for the future. These coding classes for kids in New Jersey allow beginner through advanced coders to use their creativity and problem-solving skills to build apps, video games, and more. Popular games like Minecraft and Roblox are often integrated into these coding classes.

While we've found a handful of in-person coding classes in New Jersey, we're also including some virtual coding classes you can enjoy from the comfort of home. Find more science and technology classes in our roundup of the best STEM classes in New Jersey, and check out our guide to the Best Kids Classes and Activities in New Jersey for more kids activities and programs no matter your child's age or interest. You can also find free coding for kids websites and apps.