Want fun and low-cost things to do with your kids in the Suffolk County, Long Island area this month? We’ve got you covered! Get all the details on family-friendly shows, MLK Day and weekend activities, where to cruise with seals, and more!
Find even more upcoming family activities on Long Island and in the NYC area in our full (searchable!) calendar of events.
Happy Birthday to…
Stop by a Trout Birthday Party to sing happy birthday and eat some cake to celebrate the hatching of baby trout. January 8 at 2pm. Admission: $6; $4 ages 3-12; free for ages 2 and younger.
Cold Spring Fish Hatchery and Aquarium, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor. 516-692-6768. www.cshfha.org.
Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.
Explore Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life through art in Dreaming with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Find inspiration through his life, speeches, and vision to produce a painting of peace. January 16. 12pm and 2pm. $3 with $11 museum admission. Also that day, check out Aspiring Young Artists Presents MLK in Music and Words. This original production preserves the memories of Dr. King using music and his words as inspiration. January 16. 1pm and 3pm. $4 with $11 museum admission. Both events at Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Avenue, Garden City. 516-224-5800. www.licm.org.
Make a craft, go on a Harry Potter Scavenger Hunt, visit the Potion Table, and create your own wand and watch at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Craft: Harry Potter in the Whaling Museum. January 16. 11:30am-2:30pm. Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum, 279 Main Street, Cold Spring Harbor. 631-367-3418. www.cshwhalingmuseum.org.
In the city: Hear the Harlem Gospel Choir in Concert as they perform inspirational gospel music to “bring people and nations together.” January 16. 3pm and 4pm. Also at the museum, explore Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy and the role children can play in making a difference in Make a Difference Pledge. Make your own pledge to bring change to your neighborhood or community. January 15-16. 12-4pm. Both events free with museum admission of $11; $7 seniors; free children younger than 1. Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd Street, Manhattan. 212-721-1223. www.cmom.org.
Hot Chocolate and Courage
Enjoy marshmallows and hot cocoa as Marie C. Marsh reads and signs copies of her book Courage, part of a children’s author series at the Ward Melville Heritage Organization. January 25 at 10:30am. $3.
Stony Brook Village Center, Main Street on the Harbor, Stony Brook. 631-689-5888. www.stonybrookvillage.com.
Rabbit and Duck Pas De Deux
What do you get when you cross an eight-foot rabbit with an eight-foot duck? You get Jemima Puddle-Duck & The Story of a Fierce Bad Rabbit. This mashup of two favorite Beatrix Potter stories is a full-scale narrated ballet featuring masks, costumes, and rod puppets. January 28. 3pm. $15-$25.
Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, 76 Main Street, Westhampton Beach. 631-288-1500. www.whbpac.org.
Abracadabra
The audience gets involved in Gary Ferrar’s Ah! Real Magic! This high-energy, interactive show is designed to appeal to families. Ferrar’s sleight of hand has been featured on Nickelodeon’s Naked Brother’s Band, and he is the official musician for several hospitals in the area. January 29. 12pm. $10.
BayWay Arts Center, 265 East Main Street, East Islip. 631-581-2700. www.broadhollow.org.
I Spy Seals
Break out the warm clothes and prepare for adventure on the high seas in Seal Cruise, an educational trip where passengers can listen to a naturalist discuss the biology and behavior of seals and other marine life. Proceeds support the New York State Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue Program. Saturdays, Sundays, and MLK Day. 12:30pm. Reservations required. $25, $22 seniors; $20 ages 3-12; free children younger than 3.
Riverhead Foundation with Captain Lou Fleet, departs from 28A Woodcleft Avenue, Freeport. 631-369-9840. www.riverheadfoundation.org.
Busy Builders
It can be difficult to find the right family activities when you have children of different ages. The Children’s Museum of the East End addresses this situation by offering LEGO Club. Older siblings are dropped off to construct works of art from Legos while the rest of the family explores the museum. Their creations are displayed until the next club meets. If you’d like to donate unwanted Legos to help develop the program, call the museum or email [email protected]. Saturdays, 10am-12pm.
Children’s Museum of the East End, 376 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton. 631-537-8250. www.cmee.org.
