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Considering we just survived a BombCyclone and the latest Polar Vortex, its safe to say winter is here. Even though I’m longing for a trip to my favorite local beach, I’m accepting the fact that its time to stay indoors. Now if you are over staying in you own house, I mean how many hours can one spend playing xbox? check out this list of the best Long Island indoor activities.
Not local? No problem, take these ideas and look for similar experiences in your area. Need help finding something , reach out in the comments!
The Best Indoor Activities on Long Island
Take a visit to Museum Row
The area near the Nassau Coliseum is home to three great museums. The perfect way to spend cold, winter days!
For kids of all ages, check out the Long Island Children’s Museum. Here kids can play in the sand, make giant bubbles, build and explore. There is always a great rotating exhibit, and the Tot Spot will keep even your smallest ones entertained!
Right next door, you will find the Cradle of Aviation Museum. Here there is an aviation themed play area, but older kids will really love taking in the history of all things flight. I always learn so much when we visit this museum!
Within the Aviation Museum, you will find the Firefighter Museum. This is a great place for all truck loving little ones! Kids can don firefighter gear and climb on the fire trucks. The Firefighter Museum is also a great place for a toddler birthday party!
And while on Museum Row, check out Nunley’s Carousel! The iconic merry-go-round from my favorite childhood amusement park is now housed next to the Long Island Children’s Museum.
PRO-TIP: Consider purchasing an annual membership to the LICM (or whatever your local children’s museum is). We had one for years and used it both for local admission and reciprocal entry to children’s museums when we were traveling!
BONUS PRO-TIP: In Nassau County, local libraries offer passes, free of charge to some of these museums. See if your local library has a similar program! Inquire at the reference desk, or check our your library’s website!
Best Bounce Houses on Long Island
Baby girl and little man have spent MANY indoor days at bouncy house open play! Here on the Island, you can visit Bounce U in Oceanside and Farmingdale, or check out Pump it Up in Plainview or Great Neck. Check the websites for open play times.
If you have younger kids, consider a visit to the Bounce U preschool playdate. This is a special bounce time for the 6 and under set. Little man used to go to this every Friday! I love that the little ones wouldn’t be run over by big kids, and little man used to love that you get a snack after play time!
Another bouncy spot to check out, especially for older kids is Bouncers and Slydos located in Farmingdale. Here in addition to bounce houses, you will find a zipline and climbing structures designed for bigger kids!
I’m confident your local area has a indoor bounce house for play! Remember, they are probably open to the public when there are no birthday parties happening!
Visit a Long Island Trampoline Park
Here on the island, trampoline parks are relatively new to the indoor scene. You can find indoor trampoline play at Bounce! located in Syosset, Sky Zone in Deer Park.
These trampoline parks offer open play times where you can pay by the 1/2 hour, depending how long you want to bounce. At each of these spots, you have to buy the required grippy socks for $3, but you can reuse them! Each of these venues offer special toddler time, so look for that if you have a really little one!
Play Indoor Mini-Golf on Long Island
We love taking one of our favorite summer activities indoors. Here on the island, two indoor mini golf courses have opened in recent years! For a scary, monster themed golf experience head to Monster Mini Golf in Deer Park. (There is a small arcade here as well).
If neon is your jam, check out Glow Golf located on the lower level of the Roosevelt Field mall. This course boasts 27 holes of golfing!
PRO-TIP: Check out Groupon for discounts on indoor mini-golf I always see discounts for Glow Golf.
Best Indoor Playplace for Little Ones: Once Upon a Treetop
I have to give a plug for this indoor play space located in Plainview. My kids LOVED this place when they were smaller. This was always our go-to place on school holidays or during inclement weather. Once Upon Tree Top has so much to offer kids. There are little themed areas such as dress up, cooking, school, blocks, etc. located around a giant climbing structure with a giant slide! Check out the schedule for open play times.
Go Roller Skating or Ice Skating on Long Island
I have to say, not my favorite indoor activity, but my kids love both roller skating and ice skating. Try roller skating at United Skates in Seaford, or Hot Skates in Lynbrook. On Long Island there are tons of places to ice skate, most towns offer an arena for residents.
Go Bowling on Long Island
Bowling used to be reserved only for older kids, but now with bumpers (no gutter balls) and ramps, even your youngest ones can get in on the bowling fun! On the island, check out the lanes in Wantagh, Massapequa or Melville!
DIY Crafting at AR Workshop in Bellmore
I have twice been to the fairly new AR Workshop in Bellmore! On school holidays and weekends they host workshops for kids, and mommy & me experiences. At AR Workshop, you DIY your own crafts, using their excellent materials and expert guidance!
I can’t wait for the snow to melt and start enjoying some of my favorite spring activities. I love walking the Long Beach Boardwalk or a spring day at Adventureland! But until then, I’ll check out this list each weekend and enjoy all the indoor offerings Long Island has for kids!
What are your favorite indoor local activities?
LOOKING FOR INDOOR FUN YOU CAN HAVE AT HOME? THEN CONSIDER PURCHASING A PINT SIZE PAINTERS ART KIT! MY DAUGHTER LOVED THIS ART SET!
Up for a day trip from Long Island? Check out:
A visit to the New York Hall of Science (Queens)
A day at Legoland Discovery Center (Westchester)
An afternoon at the Museum of Mathematics (NYC)
A visit to the American Girl Doll Store (NYC)
The Best NYC Museums for Kids (by fifi + hop)
Pip’s Island Interactive Theater (NYC)
Nat Geo Ocean Odyssey (NYC)
Buy your Legoland Discovery Center tickets here:
Looking for a great deal on indoor fun? Look no further, check out Living Social for all the best deals!
What are you favorite indoor activities on Long Island- or wherever you call home?
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even though I do not live there, Those are great ideas for the winter season. Thanks
These are some great tips and ideas for families, such as ourselves, to keep in mind as we travel to the NYC area.
The best thing about these places is that they keep kids active. Then the better they AND mom will sleep at night! 😉
There is a huge play area for free where my daughter lives. Talk about a life saver. Moms or dad can use the workout equipment while watching their kids play. There is a library downstairs. All kinds of activities. Great to have places to go when winter hits.
that sounds awesome!
my BIL is from Patchogue! and we’ve visited a few of these places! so fun!
Come visit in the summer! We have such great beaches!
There are so many great things to do that you can easily reach by train out of NYC. Thanks for sharing!
My brother is considering moving to Long Island so I’ll share this with him!
Man, where were the trampoline parks and bounce house parks when I was a kid? I would have loved this. Even though my daughter is grown, we would still have a great time at most of the places you mentioned. LOL!
This is a great list! I love indoor playgrounds and children’s museums. Lately, we seem to find one everywhere we go. The bouncy house place sounds amazing! My daughter would love that.
These are life savers when the weather is cold outside! We love going to our trampoline place in Colorado and LOVE the children’s museum (although, I get more geeked out that my daughter does).
Oh totally, the science museums are great for kids AND adults!
Great ideas! We have a trampoline park with adult only jump times that I’m tempted to try out. It looks like so much fun! I love the indoor mini golf you wrote about. The glow in the dark part looks really fun.
I know! I love jumping and I love glow golf!
Thanks for including my NY museums post!
Great to have these ideas bookmarked for winter! 🙂
Anyone else notice the air trampoline sports link takes you to steroid sales? lol. Guessing the link got taken over. Not sure if it just took me to the black market.
omg thank you! I removed it 🙂