Don’t let the winter weather keep you indoors. Grab the kids, get out of the house and take advantage of the holiday fun Long Island has to offer. Here’s your 2016 winter break activity guide that the whole family can enjoy.
The Girl Scouts of Suffolk County Holiday Light Show
Smith Point County Park, Shirley
Through Dec. 23, from 5 to 9 p.m.
- $20/car by credit card only at the gate ($40 mini bus or RV; $70 school or coach bus). No presale; no cash.
This drive-through holiday spectacular is put on by the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County. Fill the car and drive through their mile-long wooded trail filled with displays and decorations. Visit www.gssc.us/holiday-light-show for details.
Bayville Adventure Park’s Winter Wonderland
8 Bayville Ave., Bayville
Through Jan. 1
- $22.50 per person, includes all offered activities
Bayville Adventure Park has transformed into a winter wonderland just in time for the holidays. Bring the kids to enjoy a spectacular animated holiday light show, tour Santa’s Toy Factory in 3D, and get into the season with ice-skating. You can also catch a ride on the Holiday Express Train, meet Santa, challenge yourself with indoor rock climbing, play games at the arcade, and chill out at the Beaches and Cream Soda Shoppe.
Visit www.bayvillewinterwonderland.com for more information.
Vanderbilt Mansion Twilight Tours
180 Little Neck Rd., Centerport
Dec. 26-27, from 7 to 9 p.m.
- $10 admission
Visitors can experience a once a year, special holiday treat by taking a Christmas tour of the mansion. These annual tours are only offered the two days after Christmas, so be sure not to miss the opportunity of the beautifully decorated grounds. It is the only time of the year when the Vanderbilt family’s private living quarters can be viewed at night.
Admission includes hot chocolate and cookies. The mansion is closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s day.
Visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org for more information.
Bounce! Trampoline Sports
310 Michael Drive, Syosset
Let the kids bounce off the walls outside of your home. Guests can enjoy open jump time, trampoline dodge ball, slam-dunk basketball on dual lanes, foam-pit jumping and an arcade. Party rooms are available as well as a Wi-Fi lounge, and a separate Bounce! Jr. Zone for kids ages 6 and younger. Check out their website for holiday hours at www.bouncesyosset.com or call 516-762-1300.
Northwell Health Ice Center at Eisenhower Park
200 Merrick Ave., East Meadow
- Open rinks Fri-Sun for month of Dec. (See schedule on website)
- $11 adults, $9 children (6-12 years old), $5 seniors/military, $5 skate rental (free admission ages 5 and under).
Northwell Health Ice Center (formerly known as Twin Rinks) is a 165,000 square-foot, world-class facility consisting of two indoor, NHL-sized skating rinks. They host a multitude of youth and adult hockey tournaments, figure skating competitions, curling events, speed-skating competitions and non-skating entertainment events. For a more relaxed day over break, take the kids to open skate sessions every weekend throughout the month of December.
Check the schedule at www.northwellhealthicecenter.com.
Long Island Children’s Museum
11 Davis Ave., Garden City
- LICM winter events calendar can be found on www.licm.org.
Throughout December, LICM will be hosting various winter fun and activities for kids of all ages. The museum offers 14 interactive galleries including hands-on displays on topics of bubbles, art, carpentry, construction, television broadcasts and animation. The theatre seats 145 people where families are invited to enjoy musical acts, jugglers and theatrical performances. For more info call 516-224-5800.
