What's Open Now on Long Island For Kids

The birds eat out of your hands at White Post Farms. White Post Farms. Photo courtesy of the Farm
The birds eat out of your hands at White Post Farms. White Post Farms. Photo courtesy of the Farm
2/12/21 - By Jaime Sumersille

Most of Long Island has reopened, and businesses are welcoming visitors at a reduced capacity, but the answer to what's open on Long Island right now is far from simple. While we've had plenty of fun enjoying winter walks, our glorious parks, and favorite playgrounds, indoor family entertainment is harder to come by. A handful of indoor play spaces have reopened, while other spots have remained shuttered since March.

We've scoured the web to come up with this list of what's open now on Long Island. Bookmark this page; we'll update it as more spots announce their reopening dates. Keep in mind, coronavirus safety restrictions often mean reservations are required, and capacity is capped, so it's a good practice to call before venturing out to confirm availability or book your tickets in advance.

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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.

Girls play arcade games at the Cradle of Aviation Museum What's open Now Long Island
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

Girl playing with arts and crafts at the Long Island Explorium What's open Now Long Island
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

Trainers with the a Sea Lion at the Long Island Aquarium What's open Now 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.

A pay-one-price admission at White Post Farms in Melville includes the animal farm, bird aviaries, and the monkey barn. NOTE: Reopening in March.

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.