Looking for the best things to do on Long Island this winter? Read on for dozens of great options. 

The holiday bells have jingled, but winter is far from over. As temperatures dip on Long Island, it can be harder to keep the kiddos entertained. Have no fear–we'll help you get through this winter without too many boredom-induced tantrums with these 24 ways to beat the winter blues. 

Eager for more seasonal entertainment? Check out our Winter Fun Guide and Family Activity Calendar for more inspiration.

Finding a full-day preschool on Long Island can be stressful. Whether you need a preschool program that accommodates your work schedule or simply prefer a longer day to give your child a leg up on the skills he or she needs for kindergarten and beyond, finding the right preschool program for your family is important.

These 10 Long Island preschools give you the option of sending your child full-time and/or taking advantage of extended-hours programs. Check out our Guide to Long Island Summer Camps for Preschoolers and our full Preschool Guide and Directory of Schools for more ideas on keeping your preschooler active and engaged.

If you have a crafty kid, you already know his or her No. 1 birthday party wish probably involves pots, pans, paint, and pottery. DIY birthday parties are on the rise and proving to be a treat for children of all ages, who get an opportunity to learn a craft and take a project home with them. These eight party spots on Long Island either offer venues where kids can create and build or boast experts who come to your home to entertain guests with a special project. 

Don't forget to check our directory and Long Island Birthday Party Guide for more ideas. 

Sometimes a change of destination and access to new toys—ones you don't have to actually buy—is all small children and their parents need to survive the harshest months of winter.

Liddle Bites Play Cafe in Long Beach is one of the newest and sweetest indoor play spaces to open in Nassau County. With plenty of toys, costumes, and structures set up to encourage play, seating, and even snacks, it's an intimate and complete play space that helps kids stay engaged and unleash imaginations — no matter what the weather is like outside.

New Year's Day is generally a quiet one on Long Island, but that doesn't mean you need to stay home. Chances are you've spent the winter holiday break taking in shows, ice skating, and even crafting at home. Well, if the kids are starting to hang from the rafters, you may want to head back out for some final holiday fun before school starts back up on Tuesday, January 3.

We rounded up more than a dozen of the top kid-friendly Long Island destinations that are open on New Year's Day like the aquarium, Bayville Winter Wonderland, museums, and even trampoline and indoor fun zones to help the whole family bid a sweet farewell to the holiday break.

Be sure to check out our events calendar for more fun ideas and our best family event picks for the New Year's Weekend and New Year's Eve celebrations.

Need to distract the kids Christmas Eve from the big day to come, or while you do a little last-minute wrapping? Luckily, there's plenty open come December 24 on Long Island that's family friendly.

To keep everyone busy and entertained, while they anxiously await Santa's arrival, we've rounded up a dozen family activities. Some are holiday-themed, while others are fun no matter what your affiliation.

Take your pick and enjoy this special time with your family. And for more seasonal fun, be sure to check out our Holiday Guide. Or if you're celebrating the first night of Hanukkah on December 24, check out these local Festival of Lights events and menorah lightings.

The holiday season inspires many of us to take in a holiday show, shop for gifts and drink hot cocoa, and, of course, attend a tree lighting ceremony to kick off the season the right way. Rockefeller Center may only be a train ride away, but there are plenty of festive and spectacular tree lighting ceremonies right on Long Island. Here are 11 tree lighting events that are taking place across Nassau and Suffolk counties this season.

Find more seasonal fun in our Holiday Guide for Long Island families.

As the days grow shorter and colder, parents and children are going to be flocking to indoor play spaces that can keep them entertained, engaged, and warm. Once Upon a Treetop in Plainview, Long Island, hits all of the marks when it comes to providing a safe, educational, and fun indoor environment for babies, toddlers, and young children. A mini-universe of imaginative play options is just waiting to be explored.