12 Fun Things to do with Long Island Kids this Winter

1/6/16 - By Linda DiProperzio

If you’re suffering from post-holiday blues, don’t fret—there is still plenty of fun to be had for Long Island families during the winter months. From skating and skiing to mini golf and bowling, here are the top 12 things we love to do with the kids when the weather gets cold. And if you need more inspiration, take a look at our Inside Activity Guide.

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1. Strap on some skates. Whether you’re willing to brave the winter cold at an outdoor rink or prefer to be inside, ice skating is the perfect winter activity.

2. Sled down a hill. If we get some snow this winter, be sure to hit one of the local hills the kids will love racing down.

3. Visit a museum. Long Island is home to some of the best kid-friendly museums around. From the Long Island Children’s Museum and the Children’s Museum of the East End to the Cradle of Aviation and the Nassau County Firefighters Museum, there’s plenty of inside fun, programs, shows, educational opportunities and more.

4. Have an adrenaline rush. For kids with the need for speed, check out one of Long Island’s go karting and slot car places.

5. Bowl! My family loves to bowl all year round, but when the weather outside is truly frightful, this is a great physical activity. Note: Be on the lookout for our roundup of best places to bowl in Nassau County, coming soon.

6. Play some games. Many of LI’s awesome arcades are one-stop shops for everything you need to keep the kids occupied—video games, bowling, laser tag and more—plus you can grab a bite to eat, too.

7. Hit the links. Play a few rounds of indoor mini golf.

8. Bounce around. Let the kiddies get all of that extra energy by jumping around at Bounce!, Pump it Up, Bouncers and Slydos and any of the other indoor playspaces in both Nassau and Suffolk.

9. See a show. One of the perks of living on Long Island is its close proximity to NYC and Broadway—checking out a show is just a train ride away! Don’t feel like heading into the Big Apple? There’s also plenty of live theater closer to home. Simply take a look at our events calendar for what’s playing locally.

10. Take a day trip. The ski slopes are just a few hours away, so hop in the car for a quick day or weekend trip. Or head out to Riverhead to visit the penguins at the Long Island Aquarium, shop at the outlets and more.

11. Hit the library. Libraries on Long Island have a variety of family-friendly programming for kids off all ages.

12. Take an art class. Let your child find their inner artist at an art class. Many have drop-in events, recurring classes, paint nights (for mom and/or kids) and more.

Photo: PhotoPin