2020 Top 20 Places to Take Kids on Long Island
2020's Best Places for Kids on Long Island!
The best places to take kids on Long Island, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. But there is so much more to do beyond the favorite 20 places listed below: Take some time to explore our calendar and the rest of our lists, sign up for our fabulous weekly e-newsletter, and then get out and about! And be sure to investigate Everything That's Free!
My Local Library
Of course, the libraries in the Long Island area are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication. They're proud that locals voted them #1 in best places to take kids this year!
BounceU
With awesome bounce stadiums and easy planning, BounceU of Farmingdale and BounceU of Oceanside are perfect for kids' birthday parties, team fundraising, & more!
Adventureland
Adventureland is Long Island's Amusement Park since 1962! Enjoy a fun and exciting day on rides, attractions, games, and more. Adventureland Amusement Park is only located 30 minutes east of New York City, at 2245 Broad Hollow Rd. in Farmingdale, New York and features over 30 fun and exciting rides and attractions. Adventureland has something for everyone with a variety of thrill rides, family rides, kiddie rides, and water rides.
Harbes Family Farm
Harbes Family Farm, celebrating its 30th Anniversary Season in 2019, is home to Harbes Barnyard Adventure. The Barnyard, open May-October, has eight fun-filled acres to explore. At this family-friendly attraction, visitors will discover hands-on learning experiences, including farm animals, chicken and bee observatories. There are also fun and games for all ages such as playgrounds, Jumbo Jumpers bounce pillows, a trike track, a gnome-themed hedge maze, a sports zone, and much more. On weekends, holidays, and summer Fridays, pig races, a singing hayride tour, and hosted kids activities are included in admission. In the fall, Harbes Family Farm also offers lots of Autumn fun including pumpkin picking and corn mazes.
Laser Bounce
Play! Climb! Zap! Bounce! Explore! Open to the Public and available for Private Parties. Come Bounce on our giant bounce arena, play games in the state of the art arcade, win prizes at our redemption center, or zap away in hi-tech laser tag. Good for all ages, from toddlers to adults.
Active Kidz Long Island
Indoor amusement center with laser tag, a climbing wall, inflatable rides, arcade games & snacks.
Tiki Action Park
Our challenging miniature golf course has been voted BEST on Long Island for 2020. That’s 10 of the last 12 years. With tropical music filling the air and our lush layout, you’ll feel like you’re on vacation. The long holes are spread out amongst gushing waterfalls, meandering streams, large caves, a canyon area and a goldfish pond that’s home to our signature 10 foot Tiki fountain. For an adrenaline rush race our thrilling go-karts. We also have an arcade with 45 games including virtual reality and laser maze. You can grab some ice cream & snacks and take a break in our bamboo lounge or tropical picnic area.
Xplore Family Fun Center - New York
Welcome to Xplore: North Shore, Long Island's best kids birthday party place and indoor playground! If you are looking for great things to do with kids, look no further, Xplore is one of Long Island's best indoor play centers! Looking for something fun to do on a rainy day? Xplore Family Fun Center has great fun attractions for kids 1-12. Searching for the best places to have a birthday party for your child? Xplore has multiple birthday party packages to choose from. Xplore is a great party place for kids!
Long Island Children's Museum
The Long Island Children's Museum offers 14 interactive exhibits plus live theater, art spaces and daily activities to provide hours of discovery for children of all ages.
Long Island Game Farm
The Long Island Game Farm, situated on Chapman Boulevard in Manorville, New York, was established in 1970 by Stanley Novak. Stanley Novak, his wife Diane and daughters Melinda and Susan built the zoo on 29 acres.
Pump It Up
Pump It Up is the pioneer in birthday party entertainment. Founded in Pleasanton, California in 2000, it was an immediate success, allowing parents to host children's parties in a private, safe, and clean environment. Due to its popularity, Pump It Up began franchising in 2002. Today, Pump It Up is Kids' Favorite Place with centers across the country. It has set the industry standard for indoor inflatable safety, while providing your community with a fun and healthy family activity.
Bayville Adventure Park
Offering pirate mini golf, bumper boats, arcade, rock climbing and more. Fun adventures for the whole family.
Country Fair Entertainment Park
Indoor/outdoor complex featuring mini-golf & a driving range, batting cages, go-karts & laser tag.
Quogue Wildlife Refuge
The Quogue Wildlife Refuge is a 300 acre non-profit nature preserve that was founded in 1934 and is home to diverse wildlife. Open 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset, you can enjoy walking seven miles of trails to explore diverse habitats including forests and ponds, as well as the ecologically rare Dwarf Pines in the Pine Barrens.
Sky Zone
Jump into Sky Zone - the world's first all-walled trampoline playing court! Sky Zone features an array of fun, fit and low-impact activities ranging from Freestyle Jump, Ultimate Dodgeball and SkyFit fitness classes to birthday parties!
YMCA of Long Island
Community-focused nonprofit established in 1844 with recreational programs & services for all ages.
Bailey Arboretum
Bailey Arboretum is a beautiful, 42 acre arboretum on the North Shore of Long Island in Locust Valley, New York. Situated on the estate of renowned horticulturist and philanthropist Frank Bailey, Bailey Arboretum offers community and educational programs throughout the year.
Families come to Bailey Arboretum to walk throughout our well-marked trails, play in the Children’s Habitat or listen to the sounds of nature by our ponds and in the woods. Throughout the year, interactive nature programs are developed specifically for families, scouts and students. A place for all seasons, Bailey Arboretum is a true treasure with something for everyone.
Children's Museum of the East End
This museum offers hands-on exhibits & educational programs aimed at kids, plus occasional events.
Jones Beach Nature Center
The Nature Center is on a barrier island beach within Jones Beach State Park. An exhibit area depicts a variety of marine habitats including the South Shore Estuary Reserve, the seashore and the dune environment. There are lots of fun things for kids to do. Inside the center, children can feel live marine animals, look through a children's microscope or play in the kid's activity area. Outside the center, children can dig up whale bones in the Discovery Bone Cove, walk through the butterfly garden or view a shipwreck.
Safari Adventure
Situated on Long Island, New York, Safari Adventure is one of the coolest destinations for kids to thoroughly enjoy themselves in various games and activities. It offers the perfect choice if you are looking for indoor activities, summer camps, birthday parties or just someplace where they can spend a day in loads of fun and exercise. Our entertainment center is ideal for those between one and ten years of age. Open every day from 10 am to 7 pm, Safari Adventure offers much to explore for both toddlers and children.
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in two categories. Here were their choices.Favorite Arts Education
Art League of Long IslandThe Art League of Long Island offers a large variety of art classes and workshops throughout the year. Adult classes include mediums such as Drawing, Painting, Watercolor, Printmaking, Pastel, Sculpture, Jewelry, Ceramics, Decorative Arts, Mosaics, as well as ongoing Open Studios. Young Artists & Teen classes expose kids to a variety of mediums as well as classes dedicated to cartooning, anime/manga, and ceramics. These in-person classes will resume in the fall of 2020 when it is safe to do so, but in the meantime check out the website for virtual class offerings for Summer Portfolio Prep (ages 15-18), Virtual Summer Art Expressions “Camp” for 11-14 and adult painting classes.
Favorite Sports/Physical Education
YMCA of Long IslandCommunity-focused nonprofit established in 1844 with recreational programs & services for all ages.
