Museums can be educational and inspiring, but not all museums appeal to children in the same way they appeal to adults. This year, cultivate a love of learning by taking your child to a kid-friendly museum that they can explore freely, or through structured after-school and weekend programs. Many of these museums also offer camps during summer or school breaks, and birthday parties that are unique and educational - and not too far away! Bring your kids to one of these museums and enjoy a family outing and leaning experience!
Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum
180 Little Neck Road
Centerport 11721
What Makes it Kid-Friendly: Programs are offered for grades K-8 in various groupings and on different topics such as the history of William Vanderbilt, a “sea search” of Vanderbilt’s boat, and a study of Egyptian mummies – which you can find right at the museum!
Maritime Explorium
101 East Broadway
Port Jefferson, NY 11777
What Makes it Kid-Friendly: Everything at the Explorium is to touch, so you can feel free to let your child explore and to have learning moments together as you guide them through construction challenges and more. They also offer children’s camps and birthday parties.
The Parrish Art Museum
25 Job's Lane
Southhampton 11968
What Makes it Kid-Friendly: This art museum is the perfect place for your little artist to shine through after school art programs, summer camps, and family workshops. Free programs for preteens and teens are also offered monthly.
Railroad Museum of Long Island
440 4th Street
Greenport, NY 11944
What Makes it Kid-Friendly: Kids love trains, so here, you can take them to see real trains up close at a1892 freight house.
Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum
301 Main Street
Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
What Makes it Kid-Friendly: The whaling museum has interactive exhibits that are great for kids, and also offers special children’s events. The museum also offers children’s camps and birthday parties
Long Island Museum of American Art, History & Carriages
1200 Route 25A
Stony Brook, NY 11790
What Makes it Kid-Friendly: Commonly known as the Carriage Museum, here, you can sign up for a “Hands On History” program for kids in grades K-3.
Science Museum of Long Island
1526 North Plandome Road
Manhasset 11030
What Makes it Kid-Friendly: Each month, SMLI offers after-school workshops for grades K-5, nursery programs, holiday programs, summer camp, and birthday parties.
The Serpentarium - Reptile Museum
213 East Main Street
Riverhead 11901
What Makes it Kid-Friendly: Kids will be awed at the wide collection of live snakes, lizards, and frogs at this privately-owned museum.
Tackapausha Museum and Preserve
Washington Ave
Merrick Road and Sunrise Highway
Seaford 11783
What Makes it Kid-Friendly: Tackapausha has lots of live animal exhibits, as well as other interactive exhibits about Long Island’s natural history.
Long Island Children's Museum
11 Davis Avenue
Garden City, NY 11530
What Makes it Kid Friendly: LICM offers 14 unique hands-on exhibits, including a bubble section where kids can experiment with bubble solutions and actually stand inside a giant bubble!