To get more free fun at home and in your town delivered to your inbox, sign up for our newsletters.  

Fun Spots Kids Can Play for Free Indoors on Long Island

1. Fun Stuff Toys – Seaford

In each aisle of this store dedicated just to kids, you will find some toys set up for kids to play with. Toys vary throughout the year, from magnet boards to calico critters and ride-on cars. In the center of the store is a play-before-you-pay section, featuring the hottest games on the market, as well as consistent customer faves. Be ready to throw down with the owner, though. He's all over this store, eager to tell folks about the items. Don't expect to leave empty-handed because there are plenty of great finds here.

2. LEGO Stores – Roosevelt Field Mall, Smith Haven Mall

What child doesn’t love LEGOs? Here, children can explore and build their creations at child-size tables filled with bins of everyone’s favorite plastic building blocks. Check out our events calendar to see when the LEGO store is holding free events throughout the year. Bonus building store: Bricks & Minifigs in West Babylon has an open creative space and often hosts complimentary builds.

3. Local Libraries – Islandwide 

No doubt your local library offers free story and craft times, and much more. From toddlers to tweens and teens, libraries are a treasure trove of free, high-quality events for kids of all ages. Suffolk libraries can be found here, and Nassau libraries can be found here. And don't forget to utilize the museum pass program to get free admission to local museums. Remember, you don't have to be a member of the library to utilize its play space. 

Kids can play in the Smaland area at Ikea in Hicksville. Photo by Gina Massaro

4. Ikea – Hicksville

Ikea can feel like an indoor playground. We recently took a trip here to buy some toy storage, and all three of my kids, ages 1 to 8, had a blast. On top of the wonderland Ikea is, there's an actual indoor play area for kids. Smaland is a free, supervised play area that's designed like a Swedish forest. You can leave your child for up to an hour while you shop, and regular hours run from noon-6pm Saturdays and Sundays. One caveat: Kids must be potty-trained. 

Free Indoor Places to Burn Energy on Long Island

5. Burger King – Islandwide

In the 90s, many of the playgrounds at fast food places were outside, but that is no longer the case. There are multiple Burger Kings throughout Long Island that have the coveted indoor play area, usually consisting of a multi-level climbing structure with a slide attached. 

6. McDonald's – Islandwide

Like Burger King, McDonald's has moved toward indoor play places instead of outdoor ones. The play spaces typically consist of a multi-level climbing structure and a tube slide. You can even still hold birthday parties at McDonald's. just like when we were kids. Pro tip: My family loves the Hicksville McDonald's on 107 just north of the Broadway Commons. It has a mega playspace with a toddler play structure and a big kid play structure. This is our go-to for indoor play dates. 

7. Roosevelt Field – Garden City

This popular mall in central Nassau County has a large children’s play area on the concourse level outside of Glow Golf and ClawCADE. The play area was recently renovated in spring 2024. There is a tall climbing structure, busy boards, slides, and interactive games. To note: My three kids are in different age groups, from a toddler to 8 years old, and when there are a lot of older unsupervised kids, my toddler can get knocked over. 

8. Smith Haven Mall – Lake Grove 

There is a small play area near Spencer Gifts and Charlotte Russe. It's suitable for toddlers and preschoolers, with a small slide, busy boards and puzzle boards, and a few small structures to climb on. It always amazes me how long this seemingly simple area keeps my kids entertained. As a bonus, this play area is usually pretty empty, unlike Roosevelt Field.

9. Chick-Fil-A – select Nassau County locations

Like the fast food joints mentioned above, Chick-Fil-A seeks to join the play space. Farmingdale, Hicksville, and Westbury have walled-in, indoor play spaces aimed at entertaining kiddos before or after a chicken nugget fix.

Best Free Museums for Kids on Long Island

Light up an afternoon with a free visit to the Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center. Photo by Gina Massaro

10. Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center – Wantagh

This hidden gem is completely free year-round, though in the summer, you must pay the Jones Beach fee to park. A lot is packed into the center's relatively small square footage. There is a giant LiteBrite structure, building stations, interactive exhibits, and an awesome touch tank aquarium.

What Are Some Cool (and Totally Free) Indoor Events for Families on Long Island?

11. Barnes & Noble Story Time – Islandwide

This bookstore chain offers free weekly storytimes in stores around Long Island, including Manhasset, Carle Place, Bay Shore, and the Smith Haven Mall. Just head to the children’s department, where kids will hear a new story every week and get to make a fun craft. Spend some time happily browsing through shelves stocked with books for kids of all ages. Check individual stores for event dates and times.

12. Free Kids Crafts at Home Depot – Islandwide

Check with your local Home Depot to see if they offer the craft as a take-home kit or if a staff member does a guided craft lesson. Sessions are on the first Saturday of every month. You must sign up in advance. 

13. Kids Club at Michaels – Islandwide

Select Sunday afternoons, Michaels craft stores hold completely free craft classes for kids, including the materials. One class finds kids making beaded rainbow keychains, while another has kids painting with strings of yarn. Check with your local Michaels store for sign-up details. 

Kids will get a kick out of the aquarium fish at Petco. Photo by Gina Massaro

14. Pet Adoption Events at Petco and Petsmart – Islandwide

Different rescues often visit Petco and Petsmart throughout the week. North Shore Animal League America usually comes with its mobile adoption unit, but other rescues will be inside. Some locations have resident cat adoption centers. Our family has a wide variety of pets, some furry, some scaly, and some feathered, so our kids love a trip to the pet store. Even without a rescue there, they love to look at the aquarium fish, lizards, and small mammals. Check the Petco or Petsmart website to see when there will be an adoption event near you. 

Which Free Indoor Spots Are Best for Toddlers Vs. Teens?

Middle Country Public Library – Centereach 

This spot is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. The Museum Corner has rotating, hands-on, interactive exhibits you would find at a museum. The current exhibit is Journey through Wonderland, based on the Lewis Carroll Book. Dress up like Alice, play with giant chess pieces, or have a tea party. 

McDonald's – Hicksville

Elementary school kids go absolutely nuts at this play place. There are multiple play structures and space to run from structure to structure. My oldest begs for this McDonald's, and it's a favorite amongst his friends as well. Kids will need a shower after, because they will get sweaty. 

Roosevelt Field Mall – Garden City

Let's face it, teenagers want to hang out with their friends. The Roosevelt Field Mall is Long Island's largest, so they can easily spend the day there after they get dropped off. 

FAQ: Free Indoor Places to Play on Long Island

What can kids do indoors for free on Long Island?
Check out a class at the library, learn about Long Island ecology at the Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center, or head to one of the free indoor playgrounds.

Are there free indoor playgrounds on Long Island?

There are a lot of free indoor playgrounds on Long Island. Roosevelt Field Mall has an impressive one, as does the Hicksville McDonald's near Broadway Commons. 

Where can I go on a rainy day with kids on Long Island?
Check out a new library or take advantage of their museum pass program. Look at local events at Barnes and Noble, Michaels, or Home Depot to see if you can attend a creative class. 

Do museums on Long Island have free days?
Admission to the Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center is free all year round, but during the beach season, state park parking fees are in effect. Check your local library for museum passes, which allow a certain number of people to get into specific museums for free.

A version of this post was originally published in 2019 and was updated in January 2026.