Pay-one-price indoor playgrounds on Long Island
It doesn’t take an expert to know that kids — and their parents — can get a bit restless at home. After playing endless rounds of Candy Land and building enough Lego creations to make an entire city, your little ones may have exhausted their playtime options, but still have plenty of energy to burn.
If you feel like your playroom’s four walls are closing in on you, consider these out-of-the-house play venues where you can pay one price and stay for the day. These places vary in age requirements, so check each location to see which spot is a fit for your family. From rock-wall climbing to block-building, these places are bound to please active kids and ensure a good night’s sleep. Now, put on your sneakers and get moving.
Cup O’ Fun Cafe
Credit: Cup o Fun Café
Your cup runneth over at this play haven, where kids can slide down and crawl through tunnels, jump in a bounce castle, play dress-up, build with Legos and try out a virtual 3-D interactive video game. Open play is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays. Check the online calendar for weekend schedule. $14 for first child, $12 for sibling, $7 for crawlers. Up to age 9. Info: 6 Rockaway Ave., Valley Stream, 516-872-2600, cupofuncafe.com.
LazerLand of Long Island
Credit: Newsday File/Steven Sunshine
If laser tag or dodge ball is your kid’s game, they’ll be in heaven. For $25 per person, they can enjoy unlimited games during Saturday and Sunday nights and school holidays. Special times are reserved for different age groups. Check the online calendar for open play hours and times. Age 6 and up. Info: 54A Motor Pkwy., Commack, 631-542-2215, lazerlandofli.com.
Safari Adventure
Credit: Safari Adventure
Kids can take a walk on the wild side as they enter this 18-foot-tall soft playground, complete with giant inflatables, slides and an obstacle course. Other standout attractions include a specially designed play space for toddlers, an arcade stocked with video games, a hands-on area for imaginative play and a sensory calming nook. Open play is available every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. $11.50 for kids under age 3 and infants without a sibling, $16.50 for kids ages 3 and up. Ages 1 to 10. Info: 1074 Pulaski St., Riverhead, 631-727-4386, thesafariadventure.com.
Sandbox Playspace
Credit: Newsday File
This place is perfect for little ones with a penchant for good, old-fashioned play. Highlights include a wooden play kitchen, dress-up area, magnetic wall and play hardware store. Open play is available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. $15 per child; $10 for siblings (siblings under 10 months are free), $8 for infants under 10 months who aren’t accompanying a sibling. Infants to age 5. Info: 51 Gibson Ave., Huntington, 631-421-1600, sandboxplayspace.net.
Dreamnastics
Credit: Dreamnastics/Adam Glassman
Gung-ho gymnasts can tumble to their heart’s delight during open gym. There’s a zip-line swing, tumbling tracks and other gym equipment for safe climbing. A one-day family pass is available Monday-Friday only. Rate is $18-$25 for 1 child. Ages 1-5. Info: 24A Great Neck Rd., Great Neck, 516-918-9060, dreamnastics.com.
Once Upon a Sundae
Credit: Once Upon a Sundae
It’s the sweet life at this yummy space, where little kids can play in a pint-size farmers market/general store, draw on a wall-to-wall chalkboard, assemble Legos and flex their muscles on a wooden play structure. Open play happens Tuesdays 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. $10 per child, $8 for siblings. Up to age 5. Info: 20 S. Village Ave., Rockville Centre, 516-208-6737, onceuponasundae.com.
Liddle Bites Play Cafe
Credit: Liddle Bites Play Café/Twah Dougherty
This play space may be geared for little ones, but it’s big on fun. There’s a life-size dollhouse, Thomas the Tank Engine train table, a rocket ship with a ball pit inside, a sweet-shop playhouse and more. Open play is available Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. unless a class is in session; check calendar for schedules. $10 per child, $7 for crawlers. Up to age 5. Info: 132 E. Park Ave., Long Beach, 516-442-3131, liddlebites.com.
Fun Station USA
Credit: Jeremy Bales
At this entertainment center, kids can soar in a play helicopter, ride the carousel, hop aboard the turtle train and crawl through multilevel mazes as often as they like. An unlimited ride bracelet is $12.95 Monday-Friday from 3-9 p.m. or $15.95 (bumper cars included); and $14.95 Saturdays and Sundays from 3-11 p.m. or $17.95 (with bumper cars). Ages 3-13. Info: 40 Rocklyn Ave., Lynbrook, 516-599-7757, funstationusa.com.
Pictured: Levi Schwartz, left 5, of Long Beach plays games for tickets with brother Micah, 3, and father Jason at FunStation USA.
Wood Kingdom West and Wood Kingdom East
Credit: Wood Kingdom West
These independently owned and operated playground equipment distributors aren’t just in business to outfit your backyard — kids can play on swing sets, bouncer castles, slides and towers. Open play is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Farmingdale location and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Coram; check the online calendar for weekend hours. $11 per child (Farmingdale), $10 per child (Coram). Ages 2 to 7. Info: Wood Kingdom West, 111 Milbar Ave., Farmingdale, 631-845-3804, woodkingdomwest.com; Wood Kingdom East, 544 Middle Country Rd., Coram, 631-451-2200, woodkingdomeast.com.
Boomers Long Island
Credit: Newsday/Karen Wiles Stabile
This entertainment center features bumper boats, go karts, small rides and more. Kids can go for the brass ring atop the carousel, master a 32-foot-high rock-climbing wall and perfect their gaming skills inside the arcade. Check website for hours; $19.99 per person. Age 3 (select rides) to teens. Info: 655 Long Island Ave., Medford, 631-475-1771, boomerslongisland.com.
@Play Amusements
Credit: Jessica Rotkiewicz
Kids can start their weekends off on the right foot at this indoor entertainment mecca where open play happens Friday through Sunday. The Play Package Pass ($19) is good for unlimited time on bouncers and in play mazes, along with six ride tickets (choose from the carousel, roller coaster, bumper cars and safari ride). The Toddler Package Pass ($12) offers unlimited play time in age-appropriate activity stations and two tickets for rides like the Peanut-Go-Round. Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Info: 229 Broadhollow Rd., Farmingdale, 631-815-5355, atplayamusement.com.
