Festival of Games is a holiday gaming and shopping event at the Cradle of Aviation. Photo courtesy of Festival of Games
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LuminoCity returns to Long Island with another stunning installation at Eisenhower Park. Photo courtesy of LuminoCity
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See how the village of Port Jefferson magically turns back time to the Dicken's Era. Photo courtesy of the festival's Facebook page
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LuminoCity returns to Long Island's Eisenhower Park this Christmas season. Photo courtesy LuminoCity
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From holiday tales to dreidel making, the Sands Point Preserve boasts an afternoon full of family fun. Photo courtesy of Sands Point Preserve
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Have brunch with Santa at the Long Island Aquarium this holiday season. Photo by Jennifer Voit
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Meet Santa aboard The Polar Express chugging along the Morristown and Erie lines. Photo courtesy of the Morristown and Erie Railway
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The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader
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Kids can hop on tricycles and ride around the indoor track at L.I. Salty Kids Cove.
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Xplore Family Fun Center's birthday parties include pizza, drinks, and arcade cards. Photo by the author
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Bounce! in Syosset is a trampoline adventure destination that includes a toddler playground for younger kids. Photo by Jennifer Voit
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Kids eat free at participating IHOPs beginning at 4pm each afternoon. Photo courtesy of IHOP
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Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center's interactive exhibits are free. Photo by Gina Massaro
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The Vanderbilt has a planetarium, an expansive mansion, and a museum, making it a great place to explore on a rainy day. Photo by Kristen Markel
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Find free fun for Long Island kids at the free play space at the Broadway Mall. Photo courtesy the mall
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Kids eat free at participating IHOPs beginning at 4pm each afternoon. Photo courtesy of IHOP
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Encourage an introduction to STEM education at the Long Island Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of LICM
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New Year's Weekend Best Things To Do on Long Island With Kids: New Year's Eve, Nature Hikes, and More

Your family can have run of the Long Island Explorium when you book your private Explorium Express visit. Photo courtesy of the venue
Your family can have run of the Long Island Explorium when you book your private Explorium Express visit. Photo courtesy of the venue
12/30/20 - By Kimberly Rae Miller

Well, that's a wrap: 2020 has come to an end. Start the new year on the right foot with a family hike, get your competitive juices flowing with a Pac-Man face-off, or watch the ball drop from the comfort of your couch.

If you're looking for winter break entertainment, we've rounded up 30 things to do on Long Island, plus some fun virtual picks like this online coding camp and a FREE crash course in wizarding on our Poppins@Home site.

Our Event Calendar is updated daily with family-friendly fun, and we've got plenty more seasonal picks in our Winter Fun Guide, from fun places to play when the flakes fly to exciting getaways to fend off cabin fever, and more.

Editor's note: While we are trying to promote safer activities that occur outdoors or with social distancing guidelines in place, please keep your family and others safe by always wearing a mask and maintaining appropriate social distancing. If you arrive at an event that appears too crowded, try using the “nearby” search feature on our Event Calendar to find something else to do.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Gamers young and old can appreciate the return of the Arcade Age exhibit to the Cradle of Aviation Museum. Photo courtesy of the venue
Gamers young and old can appreciate the return of the Arcade Age exhibit to the Cradle of Aviation Museum. Photo courtesy of the venue

Best Things To Do on Long Island This Week With Kids

Family New Year's Eve Party at Bayville Winter Wonderland

Bayville
Thursday, December 31, 2020
Bayville's Winter Wonderland boasts two New Year's Eve celebration options. Choose from parties in Shipwreck Tavern or Beaches & Cream. All festivities include a New Year's countdown.  READ MORE

Fishes and Wishes New Year's Eve Dinner

New Year’s Day Breach Hike

Shirley
Friday, January 1, 2021
Join this family-friendly program that explores the breach created by Superstorm Sandy, investigates its changes through the years, and learn about the forces of waves and wind on the island. READ MORE

Toddler Sensory Storytime Saturdays

Farmingdale
Saturday, January 2, 2021
Take your tot to a storytime experience that encourages sensory learning. Each story is paired with a unique sensory experience to stimulate young minds. Stick around after the story for open play. READ MORE

Explorium Express

Port Jefferson
Wednesdays-Sundays through Sunday, January 3, 2021
Full STEAM ahead. Each week, the Explorium Express takes visitors on a unique and immersive experience of science, technology, engineering, art, and math using all your senses. Each visitor receives an interactive and personalized experience with the staff. READ MORE

GingerBread Lane

Garden City
Thursdays-Sundays through Sunday, January 3, 2021
Explore the sugar-filled world of GingerBread Lane and its 485 confectionary creations all handcrafted and constructed by chef Jon Lovitch (who holds a Guinness World Record in this category). READ MORE

Huntington Holiday Spectacular

Huntington
Daily through Sunday, January 3, 2021
Stroll through the streets of downtown Huntington, which has been transformed into a winter wonderland. The nightly festivities include twinkling lights, ice carving, Santa, and other surprises. READ MORE

Winter Wonderland at Clark Botanic Garden

Albertson
Daily through Friday, January 8, 2021
Clark Botanic Garden transforms this holiday season into an idyllic winter wonderland where guests will find themselves immersed in all that makes the season special. Meet Santa and other special guests, enjoy holiday lights and scenery, crafts for kids, a holiday pajama party, Santa Paws, and more.  READ MORE

Christmas House Long Island

Riverhead
Daily through Sunday, January 10, 2021
Christmas House Long Island is an indoor, fully immersive 45-minute walk-through experience celebrating Christmas. Get ready to snap some festive selfies in rooms like the Christmas Carnival, Polar Bar, North Pole Movie Theater, Christmas House Video, Harry Potter Christmas, and more.  READ MORE

Arcade Age Exhibit

Garden City
Select dates, ongoing
The Arcade Age exhibit returns to the Cradle of Aviation Museum just in time for the holiday break. Not only can you play the arcade classics, but the exhibit tells the story of video arcade games. READ MORE
Everyone is invited to the Times Square celebration this year—virtually, of course. Photo by Jody Mercier
Everyone is invited to the Times Square celebration this year—virtually, of course. Photo by Jody Mercier

Top Virtual Events To Ring in the New Year

New Year's Eve Live Webcast from Times Square

Thursday, December 31, 2020
It's the next best thing to being there, only not so cold and crowded! Families across the globe can tune into the live webcast of New Year's Eve in Times Square. The commercial-free, webcast covers the festivities leading up to the Ball Drop at midnight. READ MORE

New Year's Eve Digital Show

Thursday, December 31, 2020
Sing, dance, and play while ringing in the New Year 2021. Count down at noon, following a concert by Darlene Graham. READ MORE

Virtual Balloon Drop New Year Celebration

Thursday, December 31, 2020
Oakland's Chabot Space & Science Center celebrates the "noon year" with STEM activities and a festive balloon drop. Kids can ring in the New Year without staying up past bedtime at this virtual event. READ MORE

Story Pirates New Year's Eve Party with DJ Squirm-a-Lot

Thursday, December 31, 2020
DJ Squirm-a-Lot is planning a HUGE New Years bash to ring in 2021! Unfortunately his old nemesis, Yorma the ice dragon, is trying to spoil the big party with her icy dragon magic. Will DJ Squirm-a-Lot and the rest of the Story Pirates be able to foil Yorma's plans and have an awesome party? READ MORE

Fruity Pebbles New Year's Countdown

Thursday, December 31, 2020
Looking for a sweet way to countdown to the New Year? Pebbles Cereal hosts a countdown featuring Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble. READ MORE
See the snow-covered sculptures at New Jersey's Grounds for Sculpture on a winter day trip. Photo courtesy of the Grounds for Sculpture
See the snow-covered sculptures at New Jersey's Grounds for Sculpture on a winter day trip. Photo courtesy of the Grounds for Sculpture

More Things To Do on Long Island This Month

Long Island's Top Things To Do Between Christmas and New Year's with Kids

Here are our picks for the top things to do on LI over Christmas break. READ MORE

Online Winter Holiday Break Camps Kids Will Love

From theater and dance classes to cooking and STEM camps. READ MORE

40 Outdoor Activities for Kids this Winter

These activities will have kids begging to play outside this winter! READ MORE

Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks on Long Island for Kids

Lace up your skates for open-air skating on LI at one of these rinks. READ MORE

Winter Day Trips from NYC

These winter day trip destinations in the tri-state area are great family fun. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

About the Author

Kimberly Rae Miller
Kimberly Rae Miller is the best-selling author of the memoirs Coming Clean and Beautiful Bodies. Before making little humans, she made her mark as an award-winning health and fitness writer, with credits in AARP, SELF, Women’s Health, Dr. Oz the Good Life, and Eat This! Not That!, among others. With her two tots in tow, she’s ventured into more mom related musings, with a regular column in Cal Grocer Magazine as the Mommy Blogger, Scary Mommy, and of course Mommy Poppins. She can be reached at kim@mommypoppins.com.
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