Winter Activities for Families
Cold weather doesn’t have to keep your family from being active. There are all kinds of fun winter activities for families, from ice skating and sledding to museums and other indoor activities.
Staying active all year round helps keep your mind and body engaged and healthy. And if a winter injury is holding you back, talk to our specialists for an evaluation and treatment options.
Outdoor Winter Activities for Families
While it’s tempting to stay inside when the weather is cold, both your physical and mental health benefit from enjoying the outdoors and getting some sunshine. Great outdoor winter activities on Long Island include ice skating, sledding, skiing, and more.
Outdoor Ice Rinks
Lace up on a sunny cold day and get some exercise on an outdoor rink. Christopher Morley Park in Roslyn has a 200 x 80-foot rink and offers skate rentals. You can pay per skate or get a season pass.
Northwell Health Ice Center in Eisenhower Park, East Meadow is the official practice facility for the New York Islanders. The center has an outdoor NHL-sized rink the whole family can enjoy. Try out the free skates or sign the kids up for lessons.
The Grant Park Rink in Hewlett offers skating hours every day of the week as well as Monday and Thursday puck shoots.
Sledding
If racing downhill on a saucer is more your speed, try one of Long Island’s many family-friendly sledding hills. The whole family will get some good exercise trudging back up the hills. As long as there is snow on the ground, you can sled at:
- Cedar Creek Park, Seaford
- Bethpage State Park, Old Bethpage
- Baldwin Harbor Park, Baldwin
- Eisenhower Park, East Meadow
- Flower Hill Park, Manhasset
- Grant Park, Hewlett
Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are both great ways to enjoy nature in the winter. These are also accessible activities, even for beginners, and are great workouts.
Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale has miles of trails prepared for both snowshoeing and skiing. Enjoy miles of ski trails in Glen Cove through scenic forests at Garvies Point Museum and Preserve. Stick around after to learn about the area’s history at the museum. Trail View State Park in Woodbury has skiing and snowshoeing trails throughout its 400 acres.
Indoor Winter Activities for Families
Too cold to play outside? There’s still plenty for families to do on Long Island to beat winter boredom.
Indoor Ice Rinks
Your family can enjoy ice skating at one of the area’s many indoor rinks when the weather isn’t cooperating with your plans.
Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow has both an outdoor and indoor ice rink. Enjoy the indoor rink on Saturdays, Sundays, and occasional evenings. You can also host birthday parties here. Cantiague Park in Hicksville has daily afternoon skating, figure skating, ice hockey camps, and speed skating lessons. Other indoor rinks are available at:
- Andrew Stergiopoulos Ice Rink, Great Neck
- Freeport Ice Rink, Freeport
- Iceland, New Hyde Park
- Iceworks, Syosset
- Long Beach Ice Rink, Long Beach
- Newbridge Arena, Bellmore
- Port Washington Skating Center, Port Washington
- Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center, Bethpage
Other Indoor Sports
Long Island’s winter activity options are limitless – you can even leave the cold behind entirely if you want! There are a variety of not-so-wintery activities to choose from, including:
- Bowling at Maple Lanes in Rockville Center, Herrill Lanes in New Hyde Park, or San-Dee Lanes in Malverne
- Indoor miniature golf at Monster Mini Golf in Deer Park or Glowgolf at Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City
- Roller skating at United Skates of America in Seaford
Family-Friendly Museums
For a quieter day, visit one of Long Island’s many museums. The Long Island Children’s Museum in Garden City is full of fun, hands-on activities for kids. Enjoy regular programs and rotating exhibits that make learning exciting.
The Science Museum of Long Island has something for all ages. In addition to regular exhibits, there are holiday and after-school workshops. For your budding artists, visit the Hecksher Museum of Art in Huntington. The museum offers numerous programs for kids and families to explore art and creativity.
Being active year-round is essential for your family’s health and happiness. If you have any injuries or pain, don’t let that hold you back. SI Ortho’s experienced adult orthopedists and pediatric specialists can get you back on your feet again.
Download our Guide to Orthopedic Bone And Joint Care eBook to see how we can help with all of your orthopedic needs!
Posted in: Local