Free things to do on Long Island with kids
The best free things to do with kids on Long Island are outside: we have gathered 14 of our favorite parks, nature preserves, and beaches here, from do-it-all county parks with free playgrounds and splash pools to quiet preserves with free trails and nature programs.
Most are free to visit. A handful of the big state parks charge a seasonal parking fee, usually $8 to $10 a car; county beach lots often charge more for non-residents, and some town beaches limit summer parking to residents, so check the specific park before a special trip. For a free rainy-day backup, your town library runs story times and kids' programs all year: check its calendar. And our free family events guide keeps a running, weekly-refreshed list of festivals, fairs, and concerts that cost nothing to attend.
Why it's hereNassau's 930-acre flagship, with three playground areas and a free splash pool open daily through Labor Day.
Why it's hereA free, public preserve: five habitats on scenic trails, plus guided Audubon nature walks and monthly astronomy nights.
Why it's hereA full-service county park with two playgrounds, athletic fields, and a gaming area with chess and checkerboard tables.
Why it's hereA three-quarter-mile boardwalk along the Sound, nature trails, and playgrounds, with hiking and picnicking free year-round.
Why it's hereA 42-acre North Shore arboretum with well-marked trails and the world's largest Dawn Redwood tree.
Why it's hereNew York's first state park preserve, with 50 miles of scenic trails along the Connetquot River and resident deer and ospreys to spot.
Why it's hereA waterfront county park with waterside jungle gyms and a fishing pier.
Why it's hereA 543-acre preserve with hiking trails and a historic nature center whose exhibits include a red fox and a river otter.
Why it's hereHome to a Boundless Playground built for kids with and without disabilities to play side by side.
Why it's here1,600 waterfront acres on the Great South Bay, with four miles of paved trails, a playground, and open fields.
Why it's hereBeyond its famous golf courses: hiking and biking trails, playgrounds, playing fields, and winter sledding.
Why it's hereA historic waterfront estate with creekside walking, rhododendron gardens, and 118 documented bird species.
Why it's hereA 52-acre hilltop preserve in Merrick where a herd of Nigerian dwarf goats maintains the landscape, with three miles of trails and skyline views from its 155-foot summit.
Why it's hereA 296-acre Suffolk County barrier beach with lifeguard-supervised swimming and a white-sand shoreline.
Common questions
What free things can you do with kids on Long Island?
Long Island's town and county parks, playgrounds, and nature preserves are free to visit all year, and many run free nature walks and kids' programs. The beaches are free to walk even where summer parking costs money, and there is a steady feed of free community events. This guide gathers a favorite set of the outdoor spots; the free family events guide covers what's happening week to week.
Are Long Island beaches free?
The sand is free, but the parking usually is not. Most town and county beaches charge for parking in season, and many towns limit resident-rate or resident-only parking through the summer. State park beaches charge a per-car fee that is open to everyone. Rules and rates change year to year, so confirm with the town before a summer trip.
Where can I find free events on Long Island?
Our free family events guide lists the upcoming free festivals, fairs, concerts, and holiday celebrations across Long Island, and it refreshes every week as new events are added and past ones roll off. Your town library is another dependable source of free story times and kids' programs. Check its online calendar for the current month.