Long Island

Visiting the Long Island Children's Museum with Kids

A collaborative effort takes place in LICM's TotSpot. Photo courtesy of the museum

Visiting the Long Island Children's Museum in Garden City is a must-do activity for Long Island kids. The museum is home to more than 10 regular exhibits and also has rotating, seasonal shows throughout the year. 

The museum's facilities range from a play space geared toward toddlers to climbing structures for older kids. The institution also hosts regular classes and is a popular spot for birthday parties. Read on for a rundown of all its features. 

Find out more about Long Island's many cultural institutions in our Museums and Art Guide for Long Island Kids

Best of 2022 Long Island Kid Edition: Top Openings, Happenings, and Other Awesome Stuff We Loved

Graff Lab opened the door on creativity and legal street art to Long Island kids this year. Photo by Jaime Sumersille

Long Island enjoyed several kid-friendly openings in 2022 that represented a modest return to normalcy for parents who longed for additions to the time-honored lineup of family-friendly experiences we’ve grown to love.

While it’s true that, at times, we leaned on Long Island’s beaches, farm stands, and libraries for another year of family fun, we also saw the doors open on new play spaces, hiking and biking trails, and family-friendly restaurants. Some of them were even FREE for the public to enjoy. And as these new venues opened, our parent-strong team of local writers was there to give you Mommy Poppins’ first impressions.

Here is a look back at Long Island's kid-friendly openings in 2022 that inspired us, elevated us (literally), enlightened us, but mostly just brought us together. Check them out at your convenience and know we will be here in 2023 with the skinny on all family-friendly things to do on Long Island.

What's Open on Christmas Day on Long Island: 12 Things To Do with Kids

Take the family on a Christmas Day stroll to see the Long Beach Boardwalk Lights. Photo courtesy of Long Beach

Looking for fun things to do as a family after opening gifts on Christmas Day on Long Island, or perhaps you are not celebrating and wondering what is open on Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25? While many businesses are closed, there are a few kid-friendly destinations open, plus plenty of holiday activities, both indoors and out, to keep the group entertained. In fact, we’ve rounded up 12 activities the whole family can enjoy on Christmas Day.

For more seasonal fun, be sure to check out our Long Island Family Activity Calendar and our Holiday Fun Guide for Long Island kids. Plus, we have our best bets for things to do over the school vacation.

25 Things To Do with Preschoolers on Long Island

Everything is on the menu for the goats at the Animal Farm and Petting Zoo.

Looking for the best preschooler activities on Long Island? Read on for our top picks. 

Long Island is an awesome place to raise a family. From Nassau County to the East End and everywhere in between, there is no shortage of ways to entertain kids–including high-energy toddlers. In that spirit, we’ve rounded up a list of 25 exciting things to do with Long Island preschoolers.

Check out these fun activities around the Island that will keep little ones happily busy, including exploring the great outdoors, discovering something new in a museum, visiting a different playground or park, getting creative, and much, much more. We hope this list inspires you and your preschooler to take advantage of all Long Island has to offer families.

For more inspiration, check out our guide to entertaining your Long Island preschooler and our Events Calendar.

Great Christmas and Holiday Day Trips near Long Island

See the extraordinary Christmas lights and decorations in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. Photo courtesy of Dyker Heights Christmas Lights

Looking for the best holiday day trips from Long Island this year? Check out our roundup below. 

While we all have plenty to do this time of year, it's important we remember to schedule some family time to celebrate the joy of the Christmas season.

While there's no shortage of holiday happenings on Long Island, there's also a lot going on nearby that makes for a fantastic day trip or quick weekend getaway. From Manhattan to Mystic and Westchester to Pennsylvania, we've rounded up some perfect holiday trips for your family to consider this year.

For more seasonal entertainment suggestions, check out our guide to holiday fun on Long Island, our roundup of great December things to do, and our events calendar.

Luxe Play Space WowMoms World Opens on Long Island

A view of the play space. Photo courtesy of WowMoms World

WowMoms World, which recently opened in Mineola, is a luxury play space that also offers services for caregivers. The relaxing space is set up so that children can play or take a class while caregivers or parents enjoy a manicure, a bite to eat, or even take a class themselves. This unique business–which currently has other outposts in Canada and Florida–truly has the entire family in mind. 

Check out our roundup of affordable after-school classes for Long Island kids and other ideas in our Childcare Guide to Long Island

Free in November: Best Things To Do on Long Island with Kids

Cantruction Long Island is a design competition dedicated to fighting hunger on Long Island. Photo by Tab Hauser Photo

Looking for FREE things to do with kids on Long Island in November? Read on for more than a dozen great options. 

There's more to November than turkey time as Long Island teems with fab, fun, and FREE events to keep you busy without breaking the bank.

This month's no-cost options include taking in the Native American Heritage Celebration at Hempstead Lake State Park, kicking off the holiday season with the Huntington Harbor of Lights Holiday Boat Parade, and lending a hand at the beach cleanup on Bridgehampton

For more FREE fun, check out our list of fall festivals and other autumn activities in our Guide to Fall Fun for Long Island Kids. And be sure to check out our Family Activity Calendar for a list of constantly-updated events.

Be a Graffiti Artist for the Day at Graff Lab Studio

Choose your favorite stencils to create a one of a kind product.

Graff Lab Studio is an immersive experience that offers graffiti-style art where kids, teens, and adults can create one-of-a-kind items. Graff Lab Studio offers drop-in workshops, summer camps, birthday parties, and private events in industrial spaces in Holtsville and New Hyde Park. The company can also come to the location of your choice for on-demand graffiti fun. What are you waiting for? Tag someone you want to visit with.

Want more options for your mini Monet? Visit our Museum and Art Guide and our Directory of Art Classes on Long Island.

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