Fun Long Island places and parties for kids who love dinosaurs

No need to trek into New York City to see dinosaur bones at the American Museum of Natural History when Long Island has a handful of unique exhibits of its own. Little paleontologists can hold fossils, learn about how dinosaurs lived and see the only dinosaur footprints found on Long Island. Some venues have Jurassic-themed birthday parties, as well. Here are eight spots that dino-loving kids will want to visit again and again.

The Center for Science Teaching and Learning 

At the “Dinosaurs!” exhibit at The Center for Science Teaching and Learning in Rockville Centre, little paleontologists can have a close encounter with larger-than-life dinos. The exhibit features more than two dozen full dinosaur models, as well as dinosaur skulls and fossils on display. Two life-size robotic dinosaurs also live in the center’s exhibit, and kids can hear them roar, watch as they breathe, swing their tails and bob their heads. While viewing the dinos, kids will learn about how they lived thousands of years ago. “Dinosaurs!” is open daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m. ($15 adult, $12 ages 1-10). Additionally, The Center for Science Teaching and Learning offers a “Science Birthday” party package that includes a “Dino Dig” dino bones excavation activity ($18.95 per child; 12 child minimum) and an “Exhibit Party” that gets kids into both Dinosaurs! and the facility’s animal park ($27.95 per child, $11 per adult, 12 child minimum). INFO 1450 Tanglewood Rd., 516-764-0045, cstl.org.

Sands Point Preserve Conservancy

The Sands Point Preserve Conservancy in Sands Point has six marked trails for Long Islanders to enjoy, but only one gives kids a dinosaur experience. Designed for families, the Dino Trail features replica dinosaur footprints, fossil trails to follow and dino spring riders, which kids can play on. The trail is adjacent to Sand Point Preserve’s Woodland Playground, where kids can ride a zip line, climb a geodesic dome and play in cedar castles. The trail and playground are open during the preserve’s normal hours, which vary by season. COST: $15 per car, $4 for walk-in admission, free for members. INFO: 127 Middle Neck Rd., 516-571-7901, sandspointpreserveconservancy.org.

Behind the Fence Gallery Statuary & Collectibles  

Behind the Fence Gallery in Southampton boasts dozens of dinosaur statues, some of which are more than 15 feet tall. Kids can walk around the gallery and check out dinosaur hatching eggs, pose for pictures and explore dozens prehistoric statues for no charge. Additionally, all of the statues, which currently include velociraptors, an Allosaurus and a 13-foot T-Rex (the dinosaur roster rotates, more will arrive before the summer) are available for purchase or rent for birthday parties and Behind the Fence Gallery offers delivery and installation. The gallery is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m.Thursday-Tuesday (closed Wednesdays). INFO: 1547 Country Rd. 39, 631-283-5591, behindthefencegallery.com.

Long Island Science Center

Head back in time and walk beside dinosaurs at the Long Island Science Center’s Virtual Reality Zone in Riverhead. When kids put on the center’s virtual reality headsets, they can explore eight different types of dinos and learn about their lives, what they ate and how they lived during the Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods. The Virtual Reality Zone is included in the admission fee and appropriate for ages 5 and older. Kids can also check out the Saturday Science and Wednesday Future Scientist programs, which often run dinosaur-themed activities like fossil making. Additionally, the Long Island Science Center offers a Dino Detective birthday party. Kids get to make a replica of a dinosaur tooth while learning about paleontology. The center is open 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday -Sunday. COST: $10. INFO: 40 Peconic Ave., 631-208-8000, sciencecenterli.org.

The Hicksville Gregory Museum

In addition to showcasing the largest rock and mineral collection on Long Island, The Hicksville Gregory Museum in Hicksville features many dinosaur artifacts for kids to engage with. The exhibit features dinosaur eggs, bones, teeth and footprints, as well as fossils kids can hold at touch tables located throughout the exhibit. The museum also has two dinosaur eggs from China. The eggs never hatched, and guests can see dinosaur bones protruding from the egg’s shell. The museum is open 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. COST: $5 adults, $3 children ages 4-14, $3 ages 65 and older. INFO: 1 Heitz Place, 516-822-7505, gregorymuseum.org.

Garvies Point Museum and Preserve

Garvies Point Museum and Preserve in Glen Cove has the only real dinosaur footprints found on Long Island. The footprints, which were found in Riverhead in the 1970s and 1990s, were donated to the museum and are on display for visitors to see ($4, $2 ages 5-12). The museum also offers a Discovering Dinos birthday party for kids ages 4-10. During the celebration, kids can spend time in the museum's dinosaur room, which is not open to the public. It features small and large models, fossils and a large cast of a fossilized dinosaur footprint that kids can sit in and take pictures with. Kids can also check out dinosaur discovery boxes, which teach them about the creature's teeth and claws, what they ate and how they once lived. Additional party features include a magnetic dinosaur board and more (party is $300, plus an additional $30 for materials). HOURS 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday INFO 50 Barry Dr., 516-571-8010, garviespointmuseum.com.

Dinosaurs Rock

Dinosaurs Rock is a traveling Jurassic museum that brings dino birthday parties to you. Dinosaurs Rock will come to any location and set up an expansive exhibit of dinosaur and fossil specimens, including genuine fossils and museum-quality dinosaur replicas. There's an interactive show about how dinosaurs once lived, a Fossil Dig where kids can take home a dinosaur bone, shark tooth or gemstone. Other add-on activities include making dinosaur stuffed animals, creating fossil shark tooth necklaces and opening geodes. COST: Varies based on the selected party package. INFO: 845-368-3466, dinosaursrockprograms.com.

Kidville

At Kidville’s Dino-Mite Party in Garden City, kids ages 3 and older get to make dinosaur arts and crafts, play dinosaur-themed games and dig for dinosaur bones. First, kids create their own Dino Island using stickers and paper scenes, as well as dig for dinosaur bones. Once kids find a fossil, they get to take it home to keep as a party souvenir. They’ll also play with blocks and Play-Doh. Afterward, kids design dinosaur masks with markers, jewels and themed stickers before putting it on and practicing their best dinosaur roar. Finally, before singing happy birthday and eating cake, kids enter Kidville’s gym, where they'll find a dinosaur egg hunt, compete in races and obstacle courses, and fly across the room on a zip line. COST: Party packages start at $595, not including add-ons INFO: 960 Franklin Ave., 516-900-2462,516-900-2462, kidville.com.