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The Huntington’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is scheduled to return in March 2022. Photo by Cliff Weissman Photography
The Huntington’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is scheduled to return in March 2022. Photo by Cliff Weissman Photography
1/16/22 - By Jaime Sumersille

Winter on Long Island means getting creative when keeping the kids entertained and engaged. But the cost of indoor play spaces and fun zones, museum admissions, and theater can add up. So how to do it without breaking the bank? Lucky you. We've rounded up FREE events for Long Island kids and families happening this winter.

We found library events, nature walks, parks, free venues and in these uneasy times, even a parade or two. 

Remember, you can always check our events calendar for FREE events by using the "free" search filter. Be sure to also keep an eye on our Winter Fun Guide as we continue to update it with more season-specific ideas like sledding and winter walks.

To get more free fun at home and in your town delivered to your inbox, sign up for our newsletters and discover all the free events and activities near you in our guide to Free Things To Do With Kids on Long Island.

Be sure to check with each venue for its COVID guidelines and requirements before heading out to any event, and read more about local public safety protocols here. Some events are getting canceled or postponed at the last minute due to the latest COVID surge, so always confirm details before departing.

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HarborFrost in Sag Harbor is back this year, on Saturday February 5. Photo courtesy of the Sag Harbor Chamber of Commerce
HarborFrost in Sag Harbor is back this year, on Saturday February 5. Photo courtesy of the Sag Harbor Chamber of Commerce

Free Things to Do With Long Island Kids This Winter

A Winter's Day Walk at Hallock State Park Preserve

Saturday, January 15
Riverhead
Walk along the beach at Hallock State Park Preserve and search for signs of local wildlife. Find seashells, seaweeds, and view majestic cliff formations. READ MORE

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Mondays, January 17 & February 21
Fire Island National Seashore and Sagamore Hill, Oyster Bay
On select days throughout the year, all national parks are open to the public with no admission fee. READ MORE

Family Night Out: Ugly Art Wars at the Merrick Library

Wednesday, January 19
Merrick
Join in this family competition to see who can create the ugliest artwork at the Merrick Library. READ MORE

Seal Walk at Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center

Weekends through Saturday, January 29
Jones Beach State Park
Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center educators lead this walk to (hopefully) see seals swimming along the bay in their natural habitat. READ MORE

Train Masters of Babylon Model Train Show

Saturdays and Sundays, January 22-23, February 5-6
Farmingdale
Train Masters of Babylon Model Train Club presents a 4,000-square-foot model railroad with 10 trains running on 19 scale miles of track. READ MORE

Barking Up the Right Tree at Hempstead Lake State Park

Sunday, January 23
Hempstead
Leaves can help to identify different types of trees. But what do we do in the winter? Discover fun new ways to identify trees in the winter by taking a close look at tree bark, twigs, and buds. READ MORE

Maple Syrup Science at Hempstead Lake State Park - SOLD OUT

Saturday, January 29
Hempstead
NOTE: This event has sold out. The maple trees at Hempstead Lake State Park are ready to be tapped. Become tree detectives and investigate how we get this sweet syrup.  READ MORE

Draw In Winterfest at Heckscher Museum

Sunday, January 30
Huntington
Warm up and get creative at WinterFest. Celebrate creativity at the Heckscher Museum's Draw In! Winterfest with art activities for all ages, including a project for Lunar New Year. READ MORE

Port Jefferson Village Ice Festival

Saturday, January 29-Sunday, January 30 Port Jefferson
The Port Jefferson Village Ice Festival promises free and engaging fun all weekend long. Enjoy interactive photo opportunities, marshmallow roasting, horse and carriage rides, an ice-skating demonstration, live music, and raffles.  READ MORE

Sag Harbor's HarborFrost

Saturday, February 5
Sag Harbor
HarborFrost is a celebration of winter in Sag Harbor highlighting two extreme elements—fire and ice. Featuring live ice carving demonstrations, ice sculptures along Main Street, live music performances, and children’s activities.  READ MORE

Family Name Art at the Westhampton Library

Thursday, February 24
Westhampton
Learn some basic letters in the artful calligraphy style and make calligraphy name signs  READ MORE

Wantagh St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Block Party

Sunday, March 2
Wantagh
Watch local neighbors, schools and organizations march along Wantagh Avenue in the fourth annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. READ MORE

Huntington St. Patrick's Day Parade

Sunday, March 13
Huntington
Join in the fun at the Huntington St. Patrick's Day parade. Arrive early; more than 50,000 spectators have traditionally attended the annual parade. READ MORE

Bayport-Blue Point St. Patrick's Day Parade

Sunday, March 13
Bayport to Blue Point
The Bayport-Blue Point St. Patrick's Day paradetravels from Montauk Highway and Snedecor Ave to Montauk Highway and Blue Point Avenue. READ MORE

The Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Day Parade

Saturday, March 19
Rockville Centre
Enjoy this annual celebration through the Village of Rockville Centre. The parade supports several local charities.  READ MORE
The Home Depot offers free crafting classes for kids all winter. Photo courtesy of Home Depot
The Home Depot offers free crafting classes for kids all winter. Photo courtesy of Home Depot

Ongoing Free Things to Do With LI Kids This Winter

Free Kids Crafting Kits at Home Depot

Saturdays, February 5 and March 5
Islandwide
Pick up a free crafting kit and learn do-it-yourself skills and tool safety while creating a project. All of the instructions and materials are included, and at some locations a Home Depot staff member will guide you through the steps.  READ MORE

Weekly Storytime at Carle Place Barnes & Noble

Every Thursday
Carle Place
Explore new adventures through reading each week at this group event. Drop in on Thursdays and Saturdays to the Carle Place location for this free event.  READ MORE

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