14 Free Things To Do Indoors on Long Island: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days

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Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center's interactive exhibits are free. Photo by Gina Massaro

When bad weather strikes, no one feels it more than a parent whose kids have gone stir crazy. They're torturing siblings, and the house is reaching its boiling point.

Have no fear: This hand-picked list of free play spaces and indoor playgrounds will keep your kids happily occupied, and it includes some of my family's top favorites. Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center, I'm looking at you. 

So there's no need to stay home just because cold weather is upon us. From malls to bookstores and libraries, there is plenty of free fun to be had on Long Island for kids. Enjoy these unique play destinations, but remember that most venues require that a parent/adult be present to supervise children.

For more indoor fun, don't forget to check out our guide to rainy-day activities on Long Island, and discover all the free events and activities near you in our guide to Free Things to Do With Kids on Long Island.

Free Museum Days (and Always Free Museums!) in New Jersey

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The New Jersey State Museum is always free and houses artifacts, natural and cultural history, dinosaurs, and fine art. Photo courtesy of the museum

One thing I truly love about the Garden State is that you don't need to break the bank to have a great day out in New Jersey. NJ is home to fantastic FREE museums that my family loves, and that spark interest in art, history, animals, geology, and more.

Read on for museums to enjoy for FREE with kids. And be sure to check out our guide to the best NJ museums for families. 

Free Museum Days (and Always-Free Museums) in NYC

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Kids can see the masterpieces and get hands-on with art during a free visit to MoMA on Friday evenings. Photo by Jody Mercier

When it comes to saving money on culture, there are tons of free museum days and free admission hours offered at a wide variety of New York City's top museums, zoos, gardens, and cultural institutions. Many of these local cultural hubs offer free admission on certain nights, days, or hours at least once a month—a city perk no busy, cash-strapped parent should miss!

It can be hard to keep track of when and where these free museum days in NYC are available, so we've compiled an exhaustive list of free admission days at our favorite NYC cultural spots from the Bronx Zoo to the Brooklyn Children's Museum and every free museum in between.

As always, you can visit our Family Activity Calendar for more budget-friendly kid activities every day or visit our NYC Kids Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits for the latest kid-friendly exhibitions. Also, don't forget to put your library card to work for free admission at many of these same places any day.

Top Things To Do This Weekend in Westchester and the Hudson Valley with Kids

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Explore the science of winter during Snow Day Weekend at the Westchester Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this weekend? Here are our editors' picks for the best family-friendly events and activities!

Families can celebrate everything snow-related—while staying nice and warm indoors—at Snow Day Weekend at the Westchester Children's Museum. Or, if you're up for exploring the outdoors, join the Eagle Walk at Croton Point Park and spot eagles nesting by the Hudson River.

Reptile-loving kids can also get up close and personal with a variety of snakes, turtles, and more at the Reptile Expo held in Westchester County Center.

Slime Workshop, Fossil Finds and More Things To Do on Long Island this Weekend

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Sands Point Preserve kicks off a wilderness survival series Saturday where teens can learn survival basics alongside their parents. Photo courtesy of the venue

Looking for the best things to do on Long Island this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your schedule.

If you’re craving warm, hands-on moments, don’t miss the Morse Code Moniker at the Long Island Children’s Museum. Pint-sized spies can learn all about Morse Code by crafting bracelets that spell their names in dots and dashes.

Scientists-in-training, take note: This Slime Chemistry workshop at Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center is calling your name. Experiment with ooey-gooey mixtures and learn the science behind everyone’s favorite stretchy stuff.

Find all that and more top picks for the weekend ahead below!

Super Pet Expo, Disney on Ice, and More Things To Do this Weekend in New Jersey

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Reptile lovers and other animal aficionados will have a blast at Super Pet Expo. Photo courtesy of the expo

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

While bone-chilling temperatures take over in January, stay toasty at indoor festivities, including the annual Super Pet Expo, with demonstrations, photo-ops, and more with furry friends. Or warm up with other indoor entertainment this weekend, including Disney on Ice: Mickey's Search Party and the Wicked Sing-A-Long at State Theatre New Jersey. 

Plus, get crafty at Princeton University Art Museum's FREE Art for Families series. 

Read on for all our top picks for the weekend ahead!

Bumper Cars on Ice and More Things To Do in NYC this Weekend with Kids

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Bryant Park's Bumper Cars on Ice are a perennial crowd-pleaser. Photo by Angelito Jusay

Looking for the best things to do in New York City this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

Bryant Park's beloved bumper cars on ice bash back into town for a fun wintertime diversion. And while the attempt to set a world record for the largest ice skating lesson ever has been postponed in view of this weekend's weather forecast, it's the perfect weekend to get crafty, from Sew Many Possibilities at the Children's Museum of Manhattan to Designing Your Own Board Game at the Cooper Hewitt.

Keep reading for all our top picks for the weekend ahead!

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