Free things to do on Long Island this winter
Environmental educator and volunteer coordinator, Jake Kommer, teaches families about Eastern Screech Owls at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge; Jessica Desforges, of Massapequa, reads to her son, Brayden, at Barnes & Noble in Massapequa Park. Credit: J. Conrad Williams Jr. / Gary Licker
It’s that time of year when spending money is inevitable. If you’re looking to escape the holiday craze and save some cash, Long Island offers free things families can do that’ll keep the kids entertained
Slow down from the holiday rush and rediscover the beauty of nature and hike to the top of a Long Island preserve where you can spot the city skyline on a clear day and even encounter a Nigerian dwarf goat, or visit a Barnes and Noble Saturday Storytime event where a coloring session follows a free children's book reading.
Your adventure awaits.
Let your little's imagination run wild at a storytime
5224 Sunrise Hwy., Massapequa Park; 842 Sunrise Hwy., Bay Shore; 1542 Northern Blvd., Manhasset; 600 Smith Haven Mall, Lake Grove; 1470 Old Country Rd., Riverhead
Alexandra Schnupp, of Lindenhurst, reads to her son, Cameron and daughter, Emelia at Barnes & Noble; Barbara Cannova, of Barnes & Noble, in Massapequa Park reads during Saturday Storytime. Credit: Gary Licker
Parents can browse for books while kids aged 2 to 8 enjoy a story read by a local author or a Barnes and Noble team member during Saturday Storytime at 11 a.m. Kids will hear holiday stories, old classics and new favorites followed by a coloring craft based on the book. On Dec. 21 in Massapequa Park, families will be read “Harold Loves His Woolly Hat” by Vern Kousky.
More info stores.barnesandnoble.com; Massapequa Park: 516-541-1456; Bay Shore: 631-206-0198; Lake Grove: 631-724-0341; Riverhead: 631-655-0249
Meet animals at a wildlife refuge
3 Old Country Rd., Quogue
Vlad, a turkey vulture, is handled by Don Lanham, an education volunteer at Quogue Wildlife Refuge. Credit: James Carbone
Have an animal adventure at Quogue Wildlife Refuge which features 305 acres and 7 miles of trails. Visitors can see Virginia opossums, Eastern screech owls, a barred owl, a merlin falcon, Cooper’s hawk and a peregrine falcon. Inside the nature center, you’ll find reptiles including bearded dragons, a Blue-tongue skink, ball pythons, a California Kingsnake, a Western hognose snake, leopard geckos, a veiled chameleon, Eastern box turtles and Madagascar hissing cockroaches. Head to the outdoor section for hiking trails to walk.
A Red Tailed Hawk and an Eastern Screech Owl at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge in Quogue. Credit: J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Visitors will find a native pollinator garden with plants that support local pollinators like butterflies and bumblebees. End the trip with a visit to the greenhouse and see tropical plants, as well as giant Sulcata tortoises. The refuge is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday; Admission is free; program fees vary.
More info quoguewildliferefuge.org, 631-653-4771.
Explore a sea creature touch tank
150 Bay Pkwy., Wantagh
Pamela Doodnauth, of North Bellmore, and her daughter, Mia, attend an enviromental class at Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center in Wantagh. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
Drop in for a touch tank experience with an educator who introduces you to hermit crabs, sea urchins and snails, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 21-22 at Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center. Families can also go hiking on the four outdoor trails about 5 miles in total that go around the West End of Jones Beach from dawn to dusk. The center is made up of three galleries one featuring the touch tank along with a room that explains different sources of energy including solar, wind and natural gas. The final room focuses on Long Island’s energy use during each season and how to be more energy efficient. Admission to the center is free and open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
More info jonesbeachenc.org, 516-809-8222.
Take a hike and see the city skyline
1600 Merrick Rd., Merrick
A herd of Nigerian dwarf goats can be seen grazing at Norman J. Levy Park in Merrick. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
Get some fresh air and walk 2 miles on upper and lower loop trails at Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve, open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. On a clear day, hikers can get a view of the Manhattan skyline. The preserve is home to Nigerian dwarf goats and other wildlife including foxes and birds like red-winged blackbirds and snowy egrets and foxes.
More info hempsteadny.gov, 516-804-2000.
Enjoy indoor play at the mall
Roosevelt Field mall, 630 Old Country Rd., Garden City
After an shopping, kids can play on the play area at Roosevelt Field Mall featuring a slide and jumping pads. Credit: Simon Properties/ Roosevelt Field
It may be too chilly to play on the outdoor playgrounds, but Roosevelt Field mall offers indoor play for kids. The colorful two-story foam play area features a rocket ship theme and kids can hop on jump pads, climb a tall tower, or take a ride down a swirly slide. The play area is located on the concourse level in between ClawCADE and Glow Golf and is open daily during mall hours.
More info simon.com, 516-742-8000.
Play outdoors at Tanger Outlets Deer Park
152 The Arches Circle, Deer Park
Tanger Outlets Deer Park features a nature and insect-themed outdoor playground area for kids. Credit: Tanger Outlets Deer Park
Kids can run around on the outdoor soft play area located next to Old Navy which includes a giant butterfly and inchworm climber and a mushroom path stepper, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays.
More info tanger.com, 631-667-0600.
Become one with nature
250 Lawrence Hill Rd., Cold Spring Harbor
Follow the sounds of nature on a self-guided tour of Uplands Farm Nature Sanctuary open from dawn to dusk, daily. The former dairy farm turned carbon-neutral nature conservancy features a half-mile trail offering opportunities to spot birds like bobolinks, meadowlarks and bluebirds as well as groundhogs, frogs and turtles.
More info nature.org, 631-367-3225.
Walk through an arboretum
1395 Planting Fields Rd., Oyster Bay
Visitors wander through the Main Greenhouse filled with hundreds of blooming poinsettia plants during the Holiday Festival at Coe Hall at Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park in Oyster Bay. Credit: Heather Walsh
The flora moves inside at Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park where visitors can view and take photos of hundreds of poinsettia plants, orchids, cacti and fruit trees in the main greenhouse, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 20-21 and 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 22. While at the National Register property, you can walk around the more than 400 acres of rolling lawns, gardens, woodlands and nature walks. Parking is free.
More info plantingfields.org, 516-922-8600.
Join a beach cleanup
6062 Sound Ave., Riverhead
Join a beach cleanup this season at Hallock State Park Preserve in Riverhead. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
Volunteer opportunities can get you outside and working up a sweat for a good cause. Join the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS) at Hallockville State Park Preserve and help clean the beach, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 21. Volunteers can check in at the Visitors Center and supplies will be provided. After volunteering, walk along the roughly 1 mile of beachfront and spot wildlife. Beach cleanups are held Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon weather permitting.
More info Register at amseas.org, 631-317-0030.
Hear the rich history of Stony Brook
Main Street, Stony Brook
Learn the history of the Jazz Loft and other landmarks on the Stony Brook Village Audio Experience. Tom Manuel, president and founder of the Jazz Loft, and Gabe Nekrutman, performing at the Stony Brook venue's open jam session. Credit: Thomas A. Ferrara
The Stony Brook Village Audio Experience allows Long Islanders to gain a deeper understanding of the culture and history of the hamlet. The excursion will take you past landmarks like the Hercules Pavilion, Three Village Inn, the Jazz Loft and Market Square. It's go at your own pace after you download the free map.
More info audio.stonybrookvillage.com, 631-751-2244.
Discover the keepers quarters at Fire Island Lighthouse
Fire Island National Seashore, Robert Moses Field 5
Explore the keepers quarters at The Fire Island Lighthouse. Credit: Barry Sloan
If you're missing the seashore, head to Robert Moses and explore the keepers quarters at the Fire Island Lighthouse, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Travel back in time and learn about the lives of lighthouse keepers who maintained the upkeep of the landmark and guided boaters to safety. The museum features maritime exhibits that highlight the history of Fire Island dating back to 1858. Park at Robert Moses State Park Field 5 and walk east to the lighthouse.
More info fireislandlighthouse.com, 631-583-5901.
