Get face-to-face with all your emotions at the Long Island Children's Museum's new Inside Out exhibit. Photo courtesy of LICM
MLK Weekend 2026 on Long Island: Best Things To Do with Kids
Discover the trails at Quogue Wildlife Refuge for a day of free, outdoorsy fun. Photo by Jaime Sumersille
100 Free Things To Do on Long Island with Kids
Watch ice carving demonstrations and celebrate all things winter along the harborfront at Port Jefferson's annual Ice Festival. Photo courtesy of Port Jefferson Business Improvement District
Top Free Things To Do with Kids on Long Island in January 2026, According to MP Editors
Find free fun for Long Island kids at the free play space at the Broadway Mall. Photo courtesy the mall
GUIDE
Guide to Free Things To Do with Long Island Kids
Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center's interactive exhibits are free. Photo by Gina Massaro
14 Free Things To Do Indoors on Long Island: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days
Have a ball this winter at indoor fun centers on Long Island like Nana’s Wonderland. Photo by Gina Massaro
Ultimate Winter Bucket List: 34 Best Things To Do with Kids on Long Island
Hit the ice at the scenic Mohonk Mountan House, which offers winter day passes to enjoy its spectacular resort amenities. Photo courtesy of the venue
23 Fun Winter Day Trips from NYC
Kids will burn off all their energy running, jumping, and sliding through the Jetsetters Kids Club. Photo by Gina Massaro
20 Best Kids' Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Suffolk County
The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader
Ultimate New York Bucket List: 100 Things To Do with Kids in NY State
GUIDE
LI Winter Vacation Guide: Best Getaways and Activities for Families
Xplore Family Fun Center's birthday parties include pizza, drinks, and arcade cards. Photo by the author
Top Birthday Party Places on Long Island for Kids
Get ready for back to school with all the right supplies, classes, and tips.
GUIDE
Back-to-School Guide 2025-2026
Summer camp is a great way for kids to make new friends and learn new skills
GUIDE
Long Island Summer Camp Guide
Speed down the slides at Bellmore's Planet Play.
Top Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Nassau County
Bounce! in Syosset is a trampoline adventure destination that includes a toddler playground for younger kids. Photo by Jennifer Voit
15 Family Fun Centers on Long Island
Kids eat free at participating IHOPs beginning at 4pm each afternoon. Photo courtesy of IHOP
Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free on Long Island
Photo of Liddle Bites play space in Long Beach by Lisa Fogarty for Mommy Poppins
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for Long Island Kids
Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center's interactive exhibits are free. Photo by Gina Massaro
14 Free Things To Do Indoors on Long Island: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days
The Vanderbilt has a planetarium, an expansive mansion, and a museum, making it a great place to explore on a rainy day. Photo by Kristen Markel
25 Things To Do Indoors on Long Island on a Rainy Day
Families gather at Northport Park as the sun sets on the scenic Northport Harbor. Photo by the author
Best Cute Towns on Long Island with Walkable Main Streets
A day at Sunken Meadow State Park can feature playground games, a walk on the beach, and more. Photo by Kimberly Chacon
Best Playgrounds on Long Island for Kids
Speed down the slides at Bellmore's Planet Play.
Top Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Nassau County
Celebrate with a themed birthday at Sippy Cups. Photo by the author
Fun Indoor Birthday Party Places for Kids on Long Island
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
GUIDE
Guide to Classes for Long Island Kids
Kids eat free at participating IHOPs beginning at 4pm each afternoon. Photo courtesy of IHOP
Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free on Long Island
Winding paths, ponds, and streams line the lush grounds of Clark Botanic Gardens.
17 Secret Long Island Spots Kids Love
Encourage an introduction to STEM education at the Long Island Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of LICM
Best Long Island Science Museums for Kids
Long Island is home to some of the most beautiful beaches on the eastern seaboard. Photo courtesy of Discover Long Island
Ultimate Long Island Bucket List: 100 Things To Do on LI with Kids Before They Grow Up
Host an affordable birthday party at Whimsical Vine Party Hall. Photo by Chofit the Man to Call via Pexels
Inexpensive Birthday Party Room Rentals on Long Island
Babies 2 and younger can pet the goats, alpacas, and ponies for free at Fink’s Country Farm.
12 Free Places to Play on Long Island with Babies and Toddlers
Photo of Liddle Bites play space in Long Beach by Lisa Fogarty for Mommy Poppins
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for Long Island Kids
Enjoy the engaging exhibits at the Long Island Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of LICM
Best Museums for Kids on Long Island
Keep the kids busy at Applebee's with games on a tableside tablet. Photo by Anne Caminiti - Momee Friends of Long Island www.momeefriendsli.com
Long Island Restaurants with Fun Entertainment for Kids
Photo by Dora Somosi via Instagram
GUIDE
Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for Long Island
Grab the brass ring and get a free ride at Greenport's carousel. Photo by Jaime Sumersille
Top Attractions in Long Island: Best Things to See and Do With Kids
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
Suncatcher_Liz Baill @creativishmom
GUIDE
Crafts for Kids Guide: Thousands of Craft Ideas

Great Classes in Manhattan To Try in Winter 2018 for Tots To Teens

Circuitry meets art-making at the Children's Museum of the Arts' Invention Lab.
Circuitry meets art-making at the Children's Museum of the Arts' Invention Lab.
1/2/18 - By Jessica Laird

When the weather gets chilly, classes can be a total lifesaver. Luckily, New York City delivers an unbelievable array of options for babies through teenagers.

Try something literally off the wall, like drop-in parkour classes, or let kids' creativity take shape in a claymation class over school break. Develop new skills in gymnastics, tennis, and even Chinese. The options are virtually limitless.

You can search through dozens of classes by type or location in our Classes Guide and Directory Listings, but we've also rounded up some great options to inspire your family to find something new this season, especially now that the weather has us all stuck inside. 'Tis the season to sign up for winter and spring 2018, so take a look!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

The Advantage Tennis Quickstart program makes tennis fun from day one.
The Advantage Tennis Quickstart program makes tennis fun from day one.

Athletic Classes

Advantage QuickStart Tennis Classes

Various NYC Locations
Advantage QuickStart's custom teaching method is real tennis customized for kids by age and ability. Girls and boys ages 4-12 learn with appropriately sized racquets and slower bouncing balls to make tennis fun from Day 1. Lessons are offered at seven NYC locations.  READ MORE

Chelsea Piers - Youth Classes

Chelsea
Chelsea Piers offers dozens of sports classes for kids of all ages. Classes and camp programs include soccer, rock climbing, gymnastics, golf, multi-sport, and more. READ MORE

Columbus Gym - Classes

Upper West Side
For decades, Upper West Side families with children ages 18 months to 12 years have been taking advantage of Columbus Gym's qualified coaching and state-of-the-art 2,500-square-foot facility to develop lifelong skills and a strong base of fitness in a fun, nurturing, safe environment. READ MORE
Mandarin Munchkins learn Chinese through music and play with their grown-ups at China Institute.
Mandarin Munchkins learn Chinese through music and play with their grown-ups at China Institute.

Arts and Culture Programs

Children's Museum of the Arts - Online Classes

Soho
Children’s Museum of the Arts offers classes led by teaching artists in popular techniques like animation, filmmaking, graphic novel, and more, for young artists ages 5 to 15. Children as young as 10 months are introduced to art making at stART Studio classes and drop-ins.  READ MORE

China Institute - Classes

Financial District and Upper East Side
China Institute offers year-round programs for kids from 18 months up, and at any level. All classes are led by experienced, native Chinese-speaking teachers and chartered by the Board of Regents. Tutoring, AP/SAT prep, and language immersion camps are also offered.  READ MORE

In Grandma's Attic

Various NYC Locations
In Grandma’s Attic offers alternative, fantasy-based dance programs for children ages 2 through 17. Classes combine age-appropriate dance training with dress-up, make-believe, and improvisation to bring fairytales and original tales to life through ballet. READ MORE

Music Together Sing Shalom - New York City

East Village and Upper West Side
Music Together Sing Shalom's weekly parent-child music classes, for families with children from birth to age 5, enrich the internationally beloved Music Together early childhood program with Jewish songs. Sing, dance and play, while connecting with the Jewish music tradition.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article: