Trek to The End for the Montauk Lighthouse tree lighting this weekend. Photo courtesy of the Montauk Lighthouse
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LuminoCity returns to Long Island for its fifth year at Eisenhower Park. Photo by Jaime Sumersille
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LuminoCity returns to Long Island's Eisenhower Park. Photo courtesy LuminoCity
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Find the perfect tree for your family at Santa's Christmas Tree Farm.
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All aboard a festively decorated Polar Express train ride for some holiday magic and memories. Photo by Gwendolyn Tundermann
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During Christmas in NYC, Midtown Manhattan is chock-full of glittery eye candy. Photo by Ally Noel
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Bounce! in Syosset is a trampoline adventure destination that includes a toddler playground for younger kids. Photo by Jennifer Voit
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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
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Families gather at Northport Park as the sun sets on the scenic Northport Harbor. Photo by the author
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A day at Sunken Meadow State Park can feature playground games, a walk on the beach, and more. Photo by Kimberly Chacon
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Photo of Liddle Bites play space in Long Beach by Lisa Fogarty for Mommy Poppins
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Speed down the slides at Planet Play.
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Celebrate with a themed birthday at Sippy Cups. Photo by the author
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Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center's interactive exhibits are free.
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Discover the trails at Quogue Wildlife Refuge for a day of free, outdoorsy fun. Photo by Jaime Sumersille
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Winding paths, ponds, and streams line the lush grounds of Clark Botanic Gardens.
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Find free fun for Long Island kids at the free play space at the Broadway Mall. Photo courtesy the mall
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Learn to surf at Montauk's SurfLuca or another surf school. Photo courtesy of the school.
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Host an affordable birthday party at Whimsical Vine Party Hall. Photo by Chofit the Man to Call via Pexels
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Enjoy the engaging exhibits at the Long Island Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of LICM
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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
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Grab the brass ring and get a free ride at Greenport's carousel. Photo by Jaime Sumersille
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Free Things to Do With Kids in January on Long Island

Celebrate creativity at the Heckscher Museum's Draw In! Winterfest. Photo courtesy of the Heckscher Museum of Art
Celebrate creativity at the Heckscher Museum's Draw In! Winterfest. Photo courtesy of the Heckscher Museum of Art
12/28/18 - By Jaime Sumersille

With the holiday season winding down, your family might find itself with free time on its hands. And what better way to spend that time than by doing fun, family-friendly activities that won’t cost you a thing?

To keep your kids and your wallet happy, we’ve come up with a list of our favorite FREE things to do with kids in Janury 2019. Enjoy talent competitions, library activities, mother-daughter bonding time, nature discoveries, and more.

And for more things to do that won’t bust your budget, check out our roundup of free indoor play spaces on Long Island, our winter fun guide, and even our list of free and inexpensive kids’ ski programs in the Northeast. Don’t forget our January GoList and events calendar.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Monday, January 1, 2019

New Year's Day Hike at the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery

Cold Spring Harbor
Start the year off right with this New Year's Day hike to learn about Long Island winter habits at The Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery. READ MORE

Tuesday, January 2, 2019

Snowy Time Musical Fun at the Farmingdale Library

Farmingdale
Caregivers and toddlers will enjoy winter stories, musical fun, instruments, bubbles, and more. READ MORE

Thursday, January 3, 2019

Mother/Daughter Book Discussion at the Rockville Centre Library

Rockville Centre
This month the group is reading Little Women by Louisa May Alcott; for girls in grades 4-6 with their moms. READ MORE
The TMB Model Train Club hosts open houses this month for kids of ages. Photo courtesy of the train club
The TMB Model Train Club hosts open houses this month for kids of ages. Photo courtesy of the train club

Friday, January 4, 2019

Holiday Model Train Exhibit at Town of Babylon History Museum

Babylon (all weekend)
The Town of Babylon History Museum and Babylon Town Historical Society features an interactive 240-square-foot model train display highlighting historic points of interest from around the Town of Babylon.  READ MORE

Wildlife Wonders: Seals Across Long Island at the West Islip Library

West Islip
Have you ever seen a seal in the wild? Find out which seals are most common on Long Island and where the best places are to view them in the winter months. Parents of children third grade and younger must remain in the building while their children are in a library program. READ MORE

Saturday, January 5, 2019

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Tails to Tails at the Rockville Centre Library

Rockville Centre
Build reading confidence: Kids read to specially trained dogs, who act as reading partners.  READ MORE

Chess Club at Southampton Youth Bureau

Southampton
Students challenge themselves, build self confidence, meet new friends, reduce stress, and learn strategy and discipline through chess. READ MORE

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

Mothers' Center Circle

Rockville Centre
A Mothers' Center Circle is a great way to connect with other moms. At each meeting facilitators help moms connect on the joys and challenges of motherhood and support each other through their own journeys.  READ MORE

Block Party at the Patchogue-Medford Library

Patchogue
Kids 18-35 months can build all sorts of creations with the library's assortment of blocks. READ MORE

Thursday, January 10, 2019

Facts & Fiction Story Time at Emma Clark Library

Setauket
Join the library each week for a storytime that includes "facts and fiction." Your child will enjoy stories, cool facts, trivia, crafts, games, and other activities. READ MORE

Friday, January 11, 2019

Marble Run at the Farmingdale Library

Marble Run at the Farmingdale Library
Challenge yourself to design and create your own marble runs using newspaper, cardboard tubes, and tape. READ MORE

Saturday, January 12, 2019

Virtual Winter Camp: Frozen Edition

Riverhead
Do you wanna build a snowman? Riverhead Librarians are putting together a week-long interactive camp celebrating everything Frozen!  READ MORE

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Tea & Play at The Waldorf School of Garden City

Garden City
For parents of children ages 1 to 3, The Waldorf School of Garden City offers this free class to learn about its parent-and-child program. READ MORE

Snowflake Canvas at the Farmingdale Library

Farmingdale
Join the Farmingdale Library for an evening of painting and fun as we create a snowflake canvas. READ MORE

Saturday, January 19, 2019

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Nut Free Teddy Bear Tea at the The Lynbrook Library

Lynbrook
Storytime and a silly tea etiquette lesson are followed by a parade to the library's tea tables. READ MORE

Makerspace Challenge at Huntington Library

Huntington
Looking for some friendly competition? Kids work in teams to design and build engineering structures. READ MORE

Friday, January 25, 2019

7th Annual Hamptons Got Talent Auditions

Southampton
The Town of Southampton Youth Bureau will be holding open auditions for its annual Hamptons Got Talent Competition. READ MORE

Sunday, January 26, 2019

Draw In Winterfest at Heckscher Museum

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

Monday, January 28, 2019

Family Bingo Night at Westbury Library

Westbury
Spend the evening playing the classic game of bingo with your family. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium
Town of Babylon History Museum
West Islip Public Library