Subscribe to our FREE newsletters to get stories like this delivered directly to your inbox.

1. Visit a Museum Built Just for Kids

Make learning fun with a visit to the Long Island Children’s Museum, which is teeming with activities and exhibits that will keep preschoolers engaged and excited. The LICM's TotSpot is exclusively for the under-5 set and is popular with little ones. If you're in the Hamptons, check out the Children’s Museum of the East End for a fun day of learning, mini-golf, and play. 

2. Take a Spin

Plan a day to ride on Nunley’s Carousel, the century-old historic ride located along Nassau County's Museum Row in Garden City. In the summer, visit the North Fork town of Greenport and its famous carousel for a great day trip. 

3. Hand-Pick Fruit

Take a drive out east and let your kids explore the local farms to pick their own fruits and flowers at some spots. Depending on the season, you'll take home some fresh strawberries, apples, or pumpkins.

4. Cool Off in the Heat

When the temperatures rise, cool off at one of Long Island's many spray parks or take your little one to a local pool for some swim lessons.

RELATED: 100 Things to Do with LI Kids Before They Grow Up

Feed the residents of Manorville's Animal Farm Petting Zoo. Photo courtesy of Animal Farm Petting Zoo

5. Feed a Baby Goat or Alpacas

If your preschooler loves animals, visit the Long Island Game Farm or Animal Farm Petting Zoo and Family Park in Manorville for some cuddly time with farm friends. Many of the animal farms and petting zoos on Long Island offer classes for little ones. 

6. Foster a Love of Books

Take your preschooler to storytime at a local library, drop into a craft session, or visit one of Long Island's best library play spaces for interactive fun. Some of the local Long Island libraries even offer outdoor spaces for kids to play and learn in nature. 

7. Go Under the Sea

From penguins to sharks, there’s so much to see and discover at the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead. 

8. Get Adventurous

Go for a spin in a teacup or hop on the mini roller coaster at Adventureland. For even more thrills, visit these other amusement parks scattered throughout Long Island.

9. Get on Board

If your preschooler is obsessed with trains, a visit to the Railroad Museum of Long Island is just the ticket. Visitors can make tracks to museum sites located in Greenport and Riverhead. Check ahead before planning your visit for seasonal days and hours. 

10. Get a Strike

There are plenty of kid-friendly bowling alleys on Long Island with lighter balls for little hands. Bumpers can be easily requested and some even sport shorter lanes.

11. Visit a Play Cafe

Head to one of these Long Island play cafes where kids can have fun and parents can relax with a cup of coffee.

12. Swing, Slide, and Climb

When it’s too nice to be indoors, head outside to one of Long Island’s best children's playgrounds.

13. Jump and Bounce

Long Island has no shortage of bounce and trampoline parks for interactive fun. Many even have special hours dedicated to the younger crowd.

14. Get out the Paintbrushes

Nurture your child’s creative side with one of Long Island's best art classes for aspiring young artists.

15. Learn and Explore 

Head to Museum Row to experience these two must-see museums: the Cradle of Aviation Museum and the Nassau County Firefighters Museum.

16. Build a Sandcastle

There’s no better place to spend the day than at one of Long Island's best beaches for kids and families.

17. Pack a Picnic and Smell the Flowers

Celebrate spring with a picnic at Planting Fields Arboretum or the Clark Botanic Garden. 

18. Plan Indoor Fun

For some rainy-day excitement, let your kids work off their energy at one of Long Island's best indoor play spaces for kids. 

19. Catch a Game and Maybe a Ball

The whole family can "root, root, root for the home team" at a Long Island Ducks baseball game. Meanwhile, Hamptons Collegiate Baseball is a no-cost way to glimpse the talent of potential future famous ballplayers. 

20. See the Stars

The Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium has a host of activities geared toward preschoolers, including numerous educational workshops throughout the year.

21. Drop a Line

Cast a line and go fishing for trout at the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium. Bring your pole or rent one.

RELATED: Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for LI Kids

Preschoolers can engineer and build while mom gets a mani at WowMoms World.

22. Get Pampered

WowMoms World in Mineola caters not only to babies, toddlers, and preschoolers but also to their caregivers. Preschoolers can take part in a mommy-and-me manicure or pedicure. There are also nanny services available if mom wants some alone time. 

23. Plan a Birthday Bash

If your child’s special day is coming up, it’s never too early to start planning the perfect birthday party.

24. Catch a Live Show

Take your family to one of Long Island's great children's theaters, including the John W. Engeman in Northport, for live performances of Frozen Jr., Diary of a Wimpy Kid in the spring, and Madagascar: A Musical Adventure this summer. 

25. Take a Class

Preschoolers are not too young to learn a second language. Choose from one of the many classes offered on Long Island. See our classes and enrichment guide for more inspiration.

26. Go Sledding

Get bundled up and check out one of the best sledding hills across Long Island. 

27. Get a Sweet Treat 

Plan a visit to one of Long Island's old-fashioned ice cream parlors for a delicious homemade treat. 

28. Try For A Hole In One

Plan an adventure with your preschooler to play mini-golf at one of Long Island's indoor or outdoor courses. 

29. Explore a Touch Tank

Plan a visit to Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center. This location is free year-round for little ones to explore, but in the summer months, there is a parking fee. This nature center offers an incredible touch tank where kids can pick up everything. 

30. Visit Montauk

Plan a day trip to see Long Island's most eastern tip, Montauk, with your little one. Kiddos will love a day exploring the beach, lighthouse, shops, and restaurants. Consider capping off a visit with an ice cream cone in town!

A version of this article was published in 2015. Writer Jennifer Voit contributed to the 2025 update. 

Unless noted, photos by the author