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 an appropriate distance. If you arrive at a venue that appears too crowded, try using the “nearby” search feature on our Event Calendar to find something else to do. Keep in mind, reservations are required for many destinations, so plan your outings in advance, and be sure to click through to each venue for any updates to its policy. Some photos in this post were taken before the pandemic.

Play some old-school arcade games and enjoy a planetarium show at The Cradle of Aviation. Photo courtesy of the Museum

Family-Friendly Museums Open Now on Long Island

The Cradle of Aviation Museum has redesigned exhibits, and visitors can also enjoy a full-dome planetarium show on weekends. The Arcade Age exhibit, with more than 50 playable arcade classics spanning the '70s, '80s, and '90s has also returned for another run.

Located just inside the Cradle, learn about the history of firefighting and take part in hands-on exhibitions at the Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center.

Keep up with family science days, visit the dinosaur park and resident animals, or drop into the thrice-weekly Tiny Tots program at Center for Science, Teaching & Learning. The grounds boast a small walking loop around a pond that's stroller-friendly as well.

Explore the natural history of Long Island at the Garvies Point Museum & Preserve in Glen Cove.

The gallery at The Whaling Museum in Cold Spring Harbor is open winter weekends by reservation, and it's offering a selection of all-ages programs virtually.

Explore a new area of science, engineering, history, or nature during the Science Museum of Long Island's drop-off workshops after school and during school breaks.

RELATED: Winter Fun List: 25 Things To Do With Long Island Kids

Have a private play session with friends at The Long Island Explorium. Photo courtesy of the Explorium

Indoor Places to Play Open Now on Long Island

Head to the Long Island Explorium for a private, 90-minute play session with up to five guests.

Admission to the Long Island Children's Museum in Garden City must be booked in advance.

Timed-entry reservations are required to visit the Children's Museum of the East End, where kids can run a general store or soda fountain, enjoy a story inside an upside-down book, crawl through hollow logs and mouse holes, sail a ship, drive a fire truck, and more.

Visit another one of these play spaces or kiddie gyms open now across Long Island.

Swing a club at indoor mini-golf venues. Monster Mini Golf in Deer Park and Glowgolf at the Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City are both open now.

Go for a strike—or dare we say turkey—at one of these Nassau or Suffolk County bowling alleys or these East End spots.

Sign up for a mommy and me class.

Check out these local art studios offering on-site classes.

Strap on a pair of skates and roll on over to United Skates of America in Seaford.

RELATED: Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks on Long Island

Meet the sea lions at the Long Island Aquarium. Photo courtesy of the Aquarium

Places to Visit Animals and Aquariums Open Now on Long Island

Hang with the penguins, otters, and other sea creatures at the Long Island Aquarium. Tickets must be booked in advance for a timed-entry slot.

The Quogue Wildlife Refuge has moved many of its nature programs online, but its grounds remain open with three trail options and picturesque pond views with fish, geese, turtles, birds, and more. Tour the enclosures of formerly wild animals who now call the Refuge home.

New programs are being added this month at Benner's Farm in Setauket, however, families can pick up crafting and maple sugaring kits or even schedule a private tour of the maple sugaring process.

Discover reptiles, fishes, and amphibians at the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium. The exhibits and grounds are open to visitors, but its 'catch & keep' fishing requires reservations.

The South Fork Natural History Museum in Southampton offers indoor nature exhibits and outdoor programs, hikes, seal walks, and more. Online reservations and other COVID safety protocols are in place.

Check out this list of places to go seal watching on the island.

Look for Long Island's wild residents during a winter walk or cross-country skiing outing.

RELATED: Outdoor Dining on Long Island: Where to Eat in an Igloo, Greenhouse, and More Family-Friendly Setups.

Snow tubing is a fun winter activity that requires little gear or skill.

Nearby Day Trips Long Island Families Can Enjoy Now

Catch some air at these Northeast snowboarding parks.

Hit the slopes at these nine family-friendly ski resorts.

Snow tubing hills are also open and require far less equipment.

Sneak away for a bit of summer at one of these nearby water parks.