Take a thrilling final run down the water slide at Splish Splash in Calverton. Photo courtesy of the park
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The beaches in Montauk are among the nation's best. Photo by Joe Shlabotnik via Flickr
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The Sgt. Paul Tuozzolo Memorial Spray Park thrills kids young and old. Photo by Jen Tomeo
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The complex at Centereach Pool offers lane swimming and a splash pad area for younger kids. Photo courtesy of Centereach Pool
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Chill out at Splish Splash Water Park when the mercury rises. Photo courtesy of Splish Splash
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Explore the playground before hitting the beach at Jones Beach State Park. Photo courtesy of Jones Beach
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Learn to surf at Montauk's SurfLuca or another surf school. Photo courtesy of the school.
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Alive After Five is a series of free street festivals on Thursdays in Patchogue. Photo courtesy of the event
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Meet the world’s tallest mammals at White Post Farms' giraffe experience. Photo courtesy of the farm
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Strut your stuff at Friday Night Promenades in Garden City. Photo courtesy of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce
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The tranquility of Ocean Beach on Fire Island will win your family over. Photo by Tais Melillo via Flickr
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A day at Sunken Meadow State Park can feature playground games, a walk on the beach, and more. Photo by Kimberly Chacon
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Enjoy the engaging exhibits at the Long Island Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of LICM
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Photo of Liddle Bites play space in Long Beach by Lisa Fogarty for Mommy Poppins
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Find free fun for Long Island kids at the free play space at the Broadway Mall. Photo courtesy the mall
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The Vanderbilt is a great place to explore on a rainy day. Photo by Kristen Markel
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Free in January: 25+ Things To Do with Kids on Long Island

Code and create as a family using iPads at the Apple Store in Manhasset. Photo courtesy of Apple
Code and create as a family using iPads at the Apple Store in Manhasset. Photo courtesy of Apple
1/6/23 - By Jaime Sumersille

Looking for FREE things to do on Long Island in January? Read on for dozens of great options. 

To keep your kids and your wallet happy, we’ve come up with a long list of FREE things to do with kids in January.

From nature outings to indoor crafts to STEM opportunities, these options offer some awesome ways to spend time doing fun, family-friendly things that won’t cost you a cent.

For more things to do that won’t bust your budget, check out our roundup of free indoor play spaces on Long Island, our Winter Fun Guide, and our rundown of Long Island restaurants where kids eat free.

We’re adding more events to our Family Activity Calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.

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

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Boardwalk Lights is a free, nautical-themed lights display on the Long Beach boardwalk. Photo courtesy of the City of Long Beach
Boardwalk Lights is a free, nautical-themed lights display on the Long Beach boardwalk. Photo courtesy of the City of Long Beach

Free Things To Do on Long Island from Sunday, January 1-Saturday, January 7, 2023

Coding Lab for Kids: Code Your First App at Manhasset

Manhasset
Tuesday, January 3, Saturdays, January 7 & 14, Friday, January 13, 2023
Code and create as a family with Swift Playgrounds using iPad. Kids will experiment with code and design an app using the About Me playground. Use Swift code to customize the app with fun fonts, background colors, Memoji, and more. Then work together to bring the app to life. READ MORE

Long Beach Boardwalk Lights

Long Beach
Through the first week of January 2023
Boardwalk Lights is a free holiday nautical-themed lights display on the boardwalk.Families looking for a little sparkle during the holiday season are invited to stroll the boardwalk and then visit the great local restaurants and shops throughout the city.  READ MORE

Drop-In Crafternoon at Emma Clark Library

Setauket
Saturday, January 7, 2023
Stop by Emma Clark Library for a free Crafternoon of art and decorating. READ MORE

Free Kids Crafting Kits at Home Depot

Various locations
Saturday, January 7, 2023
Pick up a free crafting kit and learn do-it-yourself skills and tool safety while creating a project. All of the instructions and materials are included, and at some locations a Home Depot staff member will guide you through the steps.  READ MORE

It's Chinese New Year, Curious George Book Launch Party

Huntington
Saturday, January 7, 2023
Celebrate the book launch of It's Chinese New Year, Curious George with local author, Maria Wen Adcock, at this launch party that is FREE and open to the public. READ MORE

Storytime at Manhasset Barnes & Noble

Manhasset
Wednesdays all month
Join Barnes & Noble each week to discover a wonderful new book and inspire a love for reading in your child. READ MORE

Weekly Storytime at Carle Place Barnes & Noble

Carle Place
Thursdays all month
Explore new adventures through reading each week at this group event. Drop in on Thursdays and Saturdays to the Carle Place location for this FREE event.  READ MORE

Storytime at Smith Haven Mall Barnes & Noble

Lake Grove
Saturdays all month
Explore new adventures through reading each week at this group event hosted by Barnes & Noble at the Smith Haven Mall. READ MORE

Storytime at Bay Shore Barnes & Noble

Bay Shore
Saturdays all month
This weekly storytime hosted by Barnes & Noble in Bay Shore may include any or all of the following: read-alouds, sing-alongs, visits from enchanting characters, simple coloring activities, etc. READ MORE
Kick off the weekend with hands-on science activities in New Hyde Park. Photo courtesy of Lakeshore Learning
Kick off the weekend with hands-on science activities in New Hyde Park. Photo courtesy of Lakeshore Learning

Free Things To Do on Long Island from Sunday, January 8-Saturday, January 14, 2023

Coding Lab for Kids: Code Your First App at Smith Haven Mall

Lake Grove
Sunday, January 8, 2023
Code and create as a family with Swift Playgrounds using iPad. Kids will experiment with code and design an app using the About Me playground. They’ll use Swift code to customize their app with fun fonts, background colors, Memoji, and more. Then you’ll work together to bring their app to life. READ MORE

Southampton Youth Bureau's F.A.S.T. Program

Southampton
Wednesdays, January 9, 23, 30, 2023
The Southampton Youth Bureau's F.A.S.T. program is an opportunity for young children in grades K-4 to participate in fun activities with snacks and time to do homework. READ MORE

Youth Drawing Club at the Long Beach Library

Long Beach
Friday, January 13, 2023
Those in second grade and up are invited to join Miss Tanya at the Long Beach Library to draw and/or color in this hands-on free-form class. READ MORE

Mandarin Bilingual Storytime at the Bryant Library

Roslyn
Fridays, January 13 & 27, 2023
This bilingual Mandarin story time helps children learn about both Chinese culture and language by exploring traditional nursery rhymes, songs, and stories. READ MORE

Child Safety Seat Check

East Setauket
Saturday, January 14, 2023
Brookhaven Highway Department Certified Technicians and the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office will be on site to inspect car seats and provide parents with information about child passenger safety. READ MORE

Beach or Trail Cleanup with SoFo

Bridgehampton
Saturday, January 14, 2023
If you have ever been to the museum and spoken to any SoFo educators, you know how much they care about preserving the natural environment of the South Fork, and with this event they lead a local cleanup. READ MORE

STEM Saturday: Angry Birds at the Patchogue-Medford Library

Patchogue
Saturday, January 14, 2023
Learn about forces by using a catapult to knock down boxes to play a live action game of Angry Birds. READ MORE

Wonders of Science at Lakeshore Learning

New Hyde Park
Saturday, January 14, 2023
We have seen the Wonders of Science and they are -- kinda slimy. Lakeshore Learning stores host a free afternoon of hands-on activities introducing kids to the wonders of science. READ MORE

Winter Celebration at Connetquot River State Park Preserve

Oakdale
Saturday, January 14, 2023
What animal made those tracks in the snow? How does a snowflake form? Can you build an igloo? Venture out for some seasonal fun at the Winter Celebration at Connetquot River State Park Preserve! READ MORE
The sprawling grounds of Sagamore Hill are ideal for exploring on January 16's Free Entrance Day at the National Parks. Photo by the author
The sprawling grounds of Sagamore Hill are ideal for exploring on January 16's Free Entrance Day at the National Parks. Photo by the author

Free Things To Do on Long Island from Sunday, January 15-Saturday, January 21, 2023

Southampton Town Youth Court

Westhampton
Monday, January 16, 2023
Southampton Town’s Youth Court is a great way to earn community service credits and build students' college resumes. READ MORE

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site in Oyster Bay and Fire Island National Seashore in Patchogue
Monday, January 16, 2023
On select days throughout the year, all national parks are open to the public with no admission fee. READ MORE

Martin Luther King Jr. Collaborative Art Project at the Port Jefferson Library

Port Jefferson
Monday, January 16, 2023
Drop in to the Port Jefferson Library and celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Each participant (child and grownup) will color a hand to match their unique skin tone. READ MORE

Martin Luther King Jr. Day 30th Annual Celebration

Hempstead
Monday, January 16, 2023
The Village of Hempstead honors the Martin Luther King 30th Annual Celebration on January 16 at 9am with a parade will step off from Kennedy Memorial Park. READ MORE

Snowman Storytime at the Westbury Library

Westbury
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Do you want to build a snowman? Join the Westbury Library for a snowman storytime. READ MORE

Snow Ball at Stotzky Park

Riverhead
Friday, January 20 , 2023
Put on your tackiest sweater and bundle up to join the Town of Riverhead at the Stotzky Park hockey rink for their first ever Snow Ball. READ MORE

Bird Walk with Audubon at Jones Beach

Wantagh
Saturday, January 21, 2023
You don't need to be a birder to enjoy the breathtaking sight of Snowy Owls on Jones Beach beaches in winter. These regal visitors from the north are attracted to the tundra-like setting to hunt and rest. READ MORE

WinterFest: Lunar New Year Celebration at The Heckscher Museum

Huntington
Saturday, January 21, 2023
Celebrate and learn about Lunar New Year with a focus on Chinese culture at this free family event for all ages. Get creative and enjoy a variety of hands-on activities, artists, dance performances, and more. READ MORE

Storytime Saturdays at Hempstead Lake State Park

West Hempstead
Saturday, January 21, 2023
Storytime Saturday mornings at Hempstead Lake State Park include an engaging story, coloring, and more. READ MORE

Free Things To Do on Long Island from Sunday, January 22-Saturday, January 28, 2023

Harry Potter Potions Class at the Mineola Library

Mineola
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
Learn how to make troll toothpaste and take home a magical potion necklace from the Mineola Library. READ MORE

Rice Krispie Legos at the Southold Library

Southold
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Make Rice Krispie treats shaped like Legos with Chef Rob Scott at the Southold Library. While they are cooling, play with Legos and games. READ MORE

Long Island Rabbit Rescue Group at the Merrick Library

Merrick
Saturday, January 28, 2023
NOTE: Registration for this event is now full! The Long Island Rabbit Rescue Group will be visiting the Merrick Library with their furry little friends on January 28. READ MORE

Port Jefferson Village Ice Festival

Port Jefferson
Saturday, January 28-Sunday, January 29, 2023
The Port Jefferson Village Ice Festival promises free and engaging fun all weekend long. Enjoy interactive photo opportunities, marshmallow roasting, horse and carriage rides, an ice-skating demonstration, live music, and raffles.  READ MORE

Free Things To Do on Long Island from Sunday, January 29-Saturday, January 31, 2023

Building SOFO’s Bluebird Nest Boxes

Bridgehampton
Sunday, January 29, 2023
SOFO is hosting a special citizen science project workshop to build at least 25 new bluebird boxes to replace those that have fallen into disrepair.  READ MORE

Little Kids Yoga at the Elmont Library

Elmont
Monday, January 30, 2023
Through fun play and music you and your child will learn simple yoga poses at the Elmont Library. READ MORE

Rockville Centre Library Play Date

Rockville Centre
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Enjoy free play with fun toys at the Rockville Centre Library. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

National Parks - Multiple Locations