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Rainy-day activities for kids on Long Island

BY PAT BURSON | pat.burson@newsday.com

August 5, 2008

It's raining. Going to the beach is out, and the park is also a no-go. So what do you do when you've got the whole day ahead of you? Here are a few rainy-day options:

Roller skating

WHERE United Skates of America

1276 Hicksville Rd., Seaford

WHEN Wednesday-Sunday, various times and themes.

516-795-5474;unitedskates.com

COST $7 to $9.50 to skate, $4 for skate rental.

When was the last time you went roller skating? Roll, bounce, rock and skate at United Skates to today's top 40 hits and some old-school jams and special requests. Bring your own skates or rent a pair when you get there. When you need a break, there are games and concessions.

"If it's sunny out, people tend to want to be outdoors, but if it's a rainy day or you want to beat the heat and do something different, it's perfect for that," says Lorrie Carrique of United Skates.

Luxe bowling

WHERE 300 Long Island

895 Walt Whitman Rd., Melville

WHEN Monday-Thursday, 3 p.m.-midnight; Friday, 3 p.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

631-271-1180;300longisland.com

COST $4-$7 per game, $4.50 shoe rental

This isn't your grandpa's bowling alley. (Unless your grandpa's a really cool guy, that is.) Instead, 300 Long Island is an upscale 40,000- square-foot bowling center for a new generation, with

49 lanes bathed in neon lights amid thumping music videos.

Between rounds, sit and have a drink at the full-service bar or in armchairs and your own small table. Your own lane captain and server will bring your food and drink orders. There's also the "Back 9," a room with nine private lanes and its own bar.

Pottery painting

WHERE Claytime