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Best Indoor Things To Do this Winter on Long Island

1. Long Island Children's Museum

The Long Island Children's Museum continues to engage children of all ages with its interactive kid-focused exhibits and activities. Be sure to check out the museum's seasonal Snowflake Sock Skating open until January 5, 2025. 

2. Explore a Play Cafe

Plan a day at one of Long Island's best play cafes, with plenty of indoor activities for the little ones and sweet treats and coffee for the adults. Play cafes like A Latte Fun in Huntington and Paris-themed Madeline's Play Cafe in Glen Cove offer open play options for the kids that are booked in advance. 

3. Make New Sea Friends

Visit the Long Island Aquarium with the kids to say hello to the penguins and spend time meeting the other "residents" at this Long Island gem.  

4. Learn about Firefighters

Learn about the history of firefighting and take part in hands-on exhibits at the Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center.

RELATED: Skiing, Snowboarding, & Snow Sports Guide

5. Strike Up Some Fun

Find the perfect bowling ball and hit the lanes to engage in some good, old-fashioned family competition at one of Long Island's best bowling alleys for families. 

6. Sign Up for a Science and STEM Program

The Science Museum of Long Island in Plandome boasts after-school workshops, STEM-based events, and even nursery science programs.

7. Indoor Mini-Golf

Believe it or not, some of Long Island's best mini-golf venues are indoors, including Monster Mini Golf in Deer Park and Glowgolf at Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City.

Bounce on the sprawling honeycomb trampoline floor, gaining serious air. Photo by Jaime Sumersille

8. Get Active

Climb, bounce, slide, zip line, and ninja warrior your way through one of Long Island's best indoor family fun centers. Many of the fun centers have toddler sections for the little ones to jump and play. 

9. Visit a New Library 

Spend a few hours discovering new books and fun at one of Long Island's FREE, destination-worthy library play spaces and children's rooms. 

10. Get Creative

Check out Long Island art studios that offer classes for kids. From painting to sculpting to fashion design these art studios provide hours of indoor fun for kids of all ages. 

11. Storytime Events

Enjoy great storytimes on Long Island for children and toddlers and spend some time with your little one exploring a bookstore or cultural space.

12. Indoor Ice Skating

Visit one of Long Island's many indoor skating rinks, where kids can learn the basics or work toward an Olympic medal goal. 

13. Roller Skating

Done enough ice skating? Try roller skating at United Skates of America in Seaford. 

14. Children's Museum of the East End

At the Children's Museum of the East End, kids can learn to sail, meet special hand puppets, score a hole-in-one on the mini-golf course, or play chef at the CMEE Food Truck.

RELATED: Family-Friendly Museums on Long Island

Explore the wonders of space at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. Photo by the author

15. Cradle of Aviation Museum

With more than 75 examples of aircraft and spacecraft and a planetarium, you'll find plenty to do and lots to learn at the Cradle of Aviation Museum.

16. Make a Splash

Try out swim lessons at one of Long Island's best indoor pools over the winter so the kids will be ready for summer swimming. 

17. Indoor Rock Climbing

Plan a day to climb to new heights at one of Long Island's indoor rock climbing gyms, like the one at Empire Adventure Park in Westbury.

18. Discover a Decadent Dessert

Visit a local Long Island dessert shop or bakery to indulge in some delicious treats with the kids on a winter day.

19. Arcade Fun

Check out some of Long Island's best arcades for some gaming action with the kids and for a brand new experience stop by Long Island's newly opened first claw arcade at Roosevelt Field to try your luck. 

20. Make a Sweet Stop

Head to one of Long Island's candy shops with the kids to sample some nostalgic treats and try some new sweet creations. 

21. Live Theater

Check out a production from one of Long Island's many children's theater companies or surprise the kids with Disney on Ice, which is playing at the UBS Arena this winter.

22. Dine Out 

Take the family to dinner at a Long Island restaurant where kids eat for free or check out our list of family-friendly themed restaurants on Long Island for a night out. 

RELATED: Winter Fun Guide for Long Island Families

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Outdoor Things To Do this Winter on Long Island 

23. Outdoor Ice Skating

Enjoy the day at a local outdoor skating rink. Many offer lessons for those just starting and remain open until March depending on weather conditions. 

24. Nature Centers

Visit one of these local nature centers that offer plenty of trails to explore, critters to meet, and more all-season fun.

25. Holiday Lights

Plan a night to explore Long Island's best Christmas light displays and for even more seasonal activities check out our Holiday Fun Guide. 

26. Art Installations

See grand works of art outdoors at the Nassau County Museum of Art or at one of these other outdoor art destinations nearby.

27. Sledding

Hit one of these local kid-friendly hills the next time the flakes fly.

28. Petting Zoos

Enjoy the adorable farm creatures at these local farms and petting zoos, many of which remain open all year round offering programs for kids. 

29. Enjoy a Winter Festival 

Plan a fun winter day out at one of Long Island's winter-themed festivals. The Port Jefferson Village Ice Festival is a FREE weekend event on Saturday, January 18-Sunday, January 19, 2025, with ice-themed events and fun for the whole family. 

30. Take a Winter Hike

Bundle up, enjoy nature, and stretch your legs on one of these winter walks with the family. 

31. Travel Local

Explore one of the many kid-friendly towns on Long Island, like Huntington, Glen Cove, Sayville, and Port Washington.

32. Go to a Playground

Take advantage of some of the more mild winter days and get the kids out of the house and to one of Long Island's best playgrounds to burn off some energy. 

33. Horseback Riding 

Explore one of Long Island's beautiful equestrian centers to schedule horseback riding lessons for the kids or plan a family trail ride. Many of the stables have both indoor and outdoor facilities. 

34. Winter Beach Walk

See the environment in a whole new way via one of these local beach walks. Also, be on the lookout for any cold weather seal walks.

Unless noted, photos by the author