Our 2025 Epic Summer Bucket List of Things To Do on Long Island with Kids
There's no shortage of incredible summer activities and memorable adventures for families on Long Island. From swimming at Long Island's beautiful beaches to exploring family-friendly fun on the East End or visiting Long Island's many amazing parks and playgrounds, the options are endless.
We've compiled an epic summer bucket list for Long Island kids, including free activities, outdoor excursions, summer attractions, road trips, and much more. Read ahead for our top 50 summer activity picks for Long Island kids you won't want to miss.
Check out our Ultimate Long Island Summer Vacation Guide for even more family-friendly things to do this season.
Sign up for our FREE newsletters to get posts like this delivered to your inbox.
Spend the day at one of Long Island's famous beaches. Photo by the author
Fun Summer Activities on Long Island for Kids
1. Visit the Aquarium
The Long Island Aquarium is celebrating its 25th anniversary throughout the summer with special deals and activities. Families can explore the aquarium, have close encounters with everything from penguins to sharks, and burn off some energy on the outdoor Eye Opener Treehouse .
2. Go for a Wild Ride
Get an adrenaline rush at one of Long Island's amazing amusement parks . Celebrating more than 60 years in business, Adventureland is a great place to spend the day. Be sure to check out the newest rides.
3. Find Big Fair Fun
The Empire State Fair descends upon Nassau Coliseum for a few weeks starting Friday, June 27, 2025 . Enjoy action-packed fun with fair food, rides, games, and more.
4. Head East
Plenty of fun awaits on Long Island's East End, and we've found dozens of things to do with kids in the Hamptons and on the North Fork this summer.
5. Explore Summer Exhibits at LICM
Our Backyard , an outdoor water-based play experience at LICM, is only open during the summer months and is always a hit with the little ones. Be sure to check out the latest indoor exhibit, Dinosaurs: Fossils Exposed for some big dino excitement.
RELATED : Super Fun Water Parks, Slides, and Pools on Long Island
6. Visit Montauk
Plan a visit to Montauk with the kids to explore the Montauk Lighthouse and even climb to the top for an unforgettable view. Montauk is filled with tons of family-friendly fun, restaurants, shops, mini-golf, and, of course, beautiful beaches, so the activities are plentiful!
7. Discover a New Town
Riverhead's walkable downtown is fun for families to explore and closes along Main Street on select Fridays in July and August for a street fair that includes live music, vendors, food, entertainment, and more. Babylon hosts a Block Party on select Thursdays throughout the summer as well. Ronkonkoma hosts Grooves on the Green on select Wednesdays in the summer through October.
8. Ride an Antique Carousel
Head to Greenport's harbor-front Mitchell Park for a ride on the stunning antique carousel and bring a picnic to enjoy. Kids will love exploring the rest of the fun in the village , especially the toy store and ice cream shop.
9. Visit History
Experience living history by visiting one of Long Island's many beautiful, historic lighthouses .
10. Go Gaming
Show your kids video games from the past during a visit to the Long Island Retro Gaming Expo held at the Cradle of Aviation on Friday, August 8-Sunday, August 10, 2025.
11. See a Show at the Theater
Grab your little ones for a fun day at the theater and check out Madagascar at The Engemen Theater in Northport this summer.
12. Plan the Ultimate Staycation
Our three-day itinerary will have you exploring the island from its tips to its shores and more.
13. Eat a Sweet Treat
Outdoor Summer Fun for Long Island Kids
14. Splash at a Spray Park
Cool off at one of Long Island's best sp lash pads . Favorites include Blumenfeld Family Park in Port Washington, Clark Street Playground in Long Beach, and Port Jefferson Harbor.
15. Go Fishing
Plan an adventure with the kids to drop a line at one of these local fishing spots or hop on a fishing boat adventure.
16. Take a Hike
There are many family-friendly LI hiking trails to explore . Or, try a bike trail . We're having loads of fun on the lovely waterfront Ocean Parkway Coastal Greenway extension these days.
17. Pitch a Tent
Sleep under the stars at one of these local LI campgrounds , or try your hand at backyard camping for a night you won't forget.
RELATED : Drive-In Movie Theaters and Pop-up Outdoor Movie Nights on Long Island
Go on a thrilling ride at Adventureland in Farmingdale, one of our favorite local amusement parks. Photo courtesy of Adventureland
18. Take a Dip
Take a swim at one of these public pools that are open to everyone. Check ahead of your visit for admission fees and parking rules.
19. Dine Outdoors
Pack a picnic and visit one of these charming local Long Island picnic spots . Or, if you prefer, dine at one of these great, kid-friendly outdoor restaurants .
20. Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Spend some time on the water in a kayak, pedalboat, or canoe . Or join the Race to Save the Sea Turtles Paddle Battle LI along the Peconic River on Saturday, July 26, 2025.
21. Climb and Swing
You can’t go wrong with a visit to one of Long Island's best playground s or state park s to keep kids active and happy. You can even make it a beach day with one of these awesome beach playgrounds on Long Island . Or notch up the thrill level at Wildplay or The Adventure Park at Long Island .
22. Enjoy Pick-Your-Own Farm Fun
Blueberries , blackberries, and even strawberries can be picked fresh from the farm this summer. You can also attend a strawberry festival in Mattituck or Massapequa, or Manorville.
23. Hit the Links
Whether you want to play miniature golf or take on a par-3 course , Long Island's got options. On a rainy day, Monster Golf or Glowgolf are your best bets!
Cool down with the family this summer at Calverton's Splish Splash Water Park. Photo courtesy of the park
24. Slip and Slide
Grab your bathing suits and head to a water park on Long Island where kids—and grown-ups—can cool off and have a blast!
25. Hit the Beach
The beach is synonymous with summer on Long Island; here's our rundown of the best beaches for families on Long Island , as well as our picks for the best beach gear and hacks .
26. Surfs Up
27. Catch a Ballgame
28. Saddle Up
Unique Summer Attractions for Families on Long Island
29. Catch an Old-School Movie
N orth Hempstead , Islip , and other municipalities are hosting outdoor movie nights. On a rainy day, don't forget about the Regal Summer Movie Express , which is showing $1 family-friendly flicks twice weekly all summer long.
30. Explore the Sea Glass Festival
Explore and celebrate art as The Whaling Museum hosts a Sea Glass Festival on Saturday, July 26, 2025. A fun-filled day of events includes plenty of sea-themed workshops, arts, crafts, and kids can enjoy a glass-themed scavenger hunt.
31. Enjoy Songs and Science Under the Stars
ScienceStock is a fusion of the vibrant energy of live music with the wonders of the natural world and scientific discovery set along the grounds of the Science Museum of Long Island.
32. Catch a Concert by the Sea
Swing and sway under the stars along the waters at Jones Beach Theater during Kidz Bop on Friday, July 11, 2025. This family-friendly live concert features pop hits from Taylor Swift, Lizzo, Harry Styles, and more.
33. Peep Pop-Up Art
Gallery North's Annual Wet Paint Festival celebrates outdoor painting at Tyler Homestead on Monday and Tuesday, July 7-8, 2025, for art-loving families.
34. See Art After Dark
On four evenings this summer and fall, downtown Riverhead transforms into a walkable, Art in the Park Experience .
35. Feed the Animals
Petting zoos on Long Island are wonderful places to interact with animals. Kids can experience unique animal encounters during a visit to the Long Island Game Farm where they can see zebras, lemurs, alpacas, and more.
36. See a Summer Concert Under the Stars
Grab a lawn chair or beach blanket and enjoy a family-friendly concert outdoors with your neighbors at Hoyt Farm or Eisenhower Park . Concerts at the Jones Beach Bandshell have also returned.
37. Alive After 5
This free outdoor festival, Alive After 5 in Patchogue , features fun for the whole family with stages of live music, food trucks, activities, and more.
More Free Summer Activities on LI for Kids
38. See the Big Duck
This Long Island landmark is fun for kids and adults alike to visit in Flanders. Take a photo with the Big Duck to add to your summer bucket list photo album.
39. Explore a Local Library
Explore a local Long Island library play space with the kids this summer to discover new toys, playtime with friends, and foster your little one's love of books. Some libraries have outdoor spaces for kids to learn about nature and enjoy the summer weather. Also, check out free library card perks at your local Long Island library for even more family adventures.
40. Hop Aboard
The Long Island Live Steamers offer free public run days throughout their season. Typically, run days are scheduled for the second and last Sundays of each summer month.
41. Learn About Marine Life
Admission to the Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center is FREE year-round, though in the summer months, there is a parking fee. This nature center offers a lot of interactive fun, including an awesome touch tank where kiddos can pick up the sea life to get a closer look!
42. Get Crafty
Michaels stores across Long Island are once again offering free instructor-led classes via the Camp Creatology program from Monday, July 7, through Friday, July 18, 2025.
43. Visit a Wildlife Refuge
Quogue Wildlife Refuge has 7 miles of trails to explore, plus an outdoor area housing injured wildlife that have been rescued, like owls, a fox, and more. Inside the nature center, you can find more wildlife exhibits.
Summer Day Trips from Long Island with Kids
44. Explore NYC
There’s always something fun to do in NYC with kids , whether you visit Central Park, explore a museum, or indulge in a unique sweet treat, the five boroughs are full of interactive activities and educational fun.
45. Mystic Seaport Adventure
Plan a getaway to Mystic, Connecticut , where you can experience a charming seaside town and visit the largest maritime museum in the country, Mystic Seaport. If you opt not to drive, you can take a ferry ride from Orient Point to New London for this adventure.
46. Zoo Fun
The Bronx Zoo is a perfect adventure for animal and nature-loving kids to enjoy. The zoo offers a great Wednesday admission deal with a pay-what-you-wish donation, making a family zoo trip more affordable. Tickets for this discount Bronx Zoo day must be made online in advance and are released at 5pm the Monday before. You can also plan to stop and smell the flowers right nearby with a visit to the famous New York Botanical Garden .
47. Get Active at Diggerland
Kid who visit Diggerland USA can dig with an excavator, drive a dump truck, and more. This Southern New Jersey amusement park also has a water park to cool off from the heat.
48. Build at Legoland
Legoland Discovery Center in Westchester is the place to be with its building stations, movies, rides, and impressive Lego structures. For even more fun, and a bit more of a trip, travel to the Hudson Valley to visit the Legoland New York theme park—set on 150 acres, it's the biggest Lego park to date.
Noshing on a funnel cake on the Coney Island boardwalk is a sweet ending to an epic day of summer fun. Photo by Jody Mercier
49. Take a Trip to Coney Island
Coney Island offers families plenty of attractions in the summer, including the beach, Luna Park, Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, and the New York Aquarium .
50. Visit the Jersey Shore
Plan an adventure to a New Jersey Shore beach town. Jenkinson’s Boardwalk is a fun spot that has rides, games, and an aquarium, while Point Pleasant is also a great location for kids to have an exciting beach day.
Bonus: Consider sending the kids to camp. It’s not too late to sign up for a camp on Long Island. Whether your kids are into sports, science, or art, there’s a S ummer Camp on Long Island for almost any interest.
This article is updated annually.
Post a Comment