Family-Friendly Museums, Aquariums, Zoos, Planetariums, Play Spaces, Amusement Parks, and Carousels on Long Island

UPDATED December 2019: Looking for something fun to do with your kids on Long Island? We here at NYMetroParents pride ourselves on making sure you’re in the know about family activities in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Want to spend the day with your adventurous kids at an amusement park or ride a carousel? Or maybe you want to visit a museum or planetarium with your little smarty-pants. Or is your kid an animal-lover who loves seeing and learning about animals and marine life at nearby zoos and aquariums? Maybe you want to take a day trip and discover a venue in a whole new location nearby. Whatever family activity you’re looking to spend the day doing, we have you covered. You’ll find family activities on Long Island, including locations in Nassau and Suffolk counties, such as Farmingdale, Hempstead, Riverhead, Bellport, and Stony Brook.

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Amusement Parks & Carousels

SPLISH SPLASH
2549 Splish Splash Drive, Calverton
631-727-3600

Splish Splash is one of the best places to visit in Long Island with kids and is voted one of the Best Water Parks in America by the Travel Channel! With 96 exciting acres of family fun, everywhere you turn you will discover another one of a kind water attraction.

Indoor & Outdoor Play Spaces

BOUNCEU FARMINGDALE
101 Carolyn Blvd., Farmingdale
631-777-JUMP (5867)
Email [email protected]

BounceU Farmingdale was voted Best of Long Island for Children's Party Place, Camp, and Family Amusement Center. We provide the ideal combination of inflatable structures, clean environment, incredible customer service, and non-stop excitement. We feature giant inflatable toys and a wide variety of activities, including basketball, boxing, obstacle courses, and slides.

KARTS INDOOR AMUSEMENT CENTER
701 Union Parkway, Ronkonkoma
631-737-5278
Email [email protected]

Our indoor amusement center is fun for all with indoor go karts racing, bumper cars, Lazer Warz, a Frog Hopper ride, a mirror maze, and the Launch-our lazer maze, roller bowling, and an arcade. Stop in and mention this listing for a free game of Lazer Warz.

Movies & Theater

GATEWAY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER OF SUFFOLK COUNTY (THE)
215 S. Country Road, Bellport
631-286-1133, 631-286-0555, x5000

Since 1950, The Gateway has become Long Island's home for Broadway-quality entertainment. What was once one of the top ten summer theatres-Robert Duvall and Gene Hackman began their careers here-has now expanded to include a five-show summer season of musicals, a summer Children's Theatre series, winter holiday season, plus special events.

PATCHOGUE THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
71 E. Main St., Patchogue
631-207-1313

Patchogue Theatre's Kids Summer Film Series screens family favorite films on Wednesdays throughout the summer. Films are presented in both English and Spanish! To celebrate, our first film, Finding Nemo, is free for everyone and includes a pre-screening party in the lobby one hour before show time with snacks and activities.

Travel & Destinations

LONG ISLAND DUCKS
3 Court House Drive, Central Islip
631-940-DUCK (3825)

The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and provide affordable family fun and entertainment. Have your kids come out on Sundays to run the bases or join us for a Fireworks Spectacular. The Ducks play their home games at Bethpage Ballpark in Central Islip.

Zoos & Aquariums

COLD SPRING HARBOR FISH HATCHERY & AQUARIUM
1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor
516-692-6768
Email [email protected]

Dedicated to educating our visitors about the freshwater ecosystems of New York. We are proud to have the largest living collection of NYS freshwater reptiles, fishes, and amphibians. Visitors can tour our two aquarium buildings and eight outdoor ponds, feed the hungry trout, and try our "Catch and Keep" fishing.

LONG ISLAND AQUARIUM
431 E. Main St., Riverhead
631-208-9200 xH2O (426) or 631-208-9200 x125

Featuring one of the largest all-living coral reef displays, a 120,000-gallon shark tank, year-round sea lion shows, African penguins, touch tanks, and more than 100 exhibits including indoor gardens of the Butterflies, Bugs, and Birds habitat! Try an aquatic adventure like the Shark Dive, Penguin Encounter, or the Pirate Snorkel Adventure (seasonal).