7 Things To Do With Kids In The Hamptons This Winter

Happy New Year!

Winter is officially in full swing here in New York, and as the temperatures drop, it’s easy for kids (and parents!) to start feeling a little cooped up indoors.

We wanted to share a few kid-friendly ideas to help burn off those extra wiggles while still keeping curious minds engaged — whether you’re looking to get outside, explore something new, or simply switch up your routine during the colder months.

We’ve also put together a round-up of fun things to do in New York City that are perfect for wintertime. You can find that list here if you’re looking for even more inspiration!

1. Museums

Museums are always a great way to keep the mind engaged and learning, especially when kids are out of school! The Hamptons has some great options!

• Sylvester Manor on Shelter Island has many different activities and programs throughout the year. https://www.sylvestermanor.org/

• Parrish Art Museum has children and family workshops with hands on activities to encourage the young artist! https://parrishart.org/

• Children's Museum of East End has an abundance of kid friendly activities including dress up stations and arts + crafts. https://www.facebook.com/ChildrensMuseumOfTheEastEnd/#

• Southampton Art Center boasts multiple exhibits throughout the year, be sure to check out their calendar for activities geared towards kids. https://www.southamptonartscenter.org/

• Hallockville Museum Farm brings awareness to the history of farming on Long Island it's relevance today. They have many programs throughout the year. https://hallockville.org/

• South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center has annual memberships that can provide year round fun! They have multiple programs and special events throughout the year! https://sofo.org/

2. Ice Skating

Ice skating provides a break from screens and builds balance, coordination, and strength. It's a great core memory making activity. Since ice skating isn’t available year round, it’s a fun winter treat that the children can look forward to!

• Buckskill Winter Club provides the only NHL regulation sized rink in the Hamptons. https://buckskillwinterclub.com/

• Southampton Ice Rink has options for kid's birthday parties, igloo rentals, skating lessons, and more! It's also covered, which makes it great for any inclement weather that might happen. https://southamptonicerink.com/

3. Performing Arts Centers + Movie Theaters

The performing arts experiences expose children to storytelling in its most dynamic form, supporting creativity, focus, and emotional development. Movie theaters complement this by offering immersive storytelling that fuels imagination and curiosity.

• Guild Hall is an all around cultural experience. They have a performing arts area, education, and museum. A great way to introduce children to the arts. https://www.guildhall.org/

• Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center offers programs geared towards youths. https://whbpac.org/

• Bay Street Theater has had multiple productions move from there to off Broadway and even Broadway. https://www.baystreet.org/

• Sag Harbor Cinema - not only a movie theater, they have programs geared towards kids in Kindergarten and up! https://sagharborcinema.org/

• Regal UA East Hampton has all the typical box office offerings. https://www.regmovies.com/theatres/regal-ua-east-hampton-cinema-1138

4. Beaches

While we wouldn't recommend going for a suntan, the beaches in winter can provide an entirely different experience than summer time. You're not dealing with the crowds or parking fees, so it's a perfect time for seashell hunting. A great hands on way to talk about sea life with kids and get them a little active, even if you have to bundle up a bit. The main website in the Hamptons has live cams, you can always check out the conditions before you go.

• Foster Memorial Beach (also known as Main beach) is great for shell hunting. https://hamptons.com/foster-memorial-beach/

• Ponquogue Beach. https://lordslane.com/ponquogue-beach/

• Cedar Island Lighthouse. The inside of the lighthouse is not open to the public, but has its own strip of sandy beach that's great for walking and looking for seashells and other small sea wildlife. https://lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=737

• Elizabeth A. Morton Wildlife Preserve. Home to multiple types of wildlife, forest and beach trails, this is a great spot for nature watching and short walks in the winter. https://liparks.com/park/elizabeth-a-morton-national-wildlife-refuge/

• For a full list of beaches in East Hampton. https://ehamptonny.gov/307/Beaches

5. Libraries

With thousands of books to explore and programs designed just for kids, libraries offer a calm but engaging space for learning and imagination. They’re an ideal winter activity — getting out of the house without giving up the warmth.

• Quogue Library. https://www.quoguelibrary.org/

• Hampton Bays Library. https://www.hamptonbayslibrary.org/

• Southampton Free Library. https://southamptonfreelibrary.org/

• Bridgehampton Library. https://www.myhamptonlibrary.org/

• John Jermain Memorial Library in Sag Harbor. https://www.johnjermain.org/

• East Hampton Library. https://easthamptonlibrary.org/

• Springs Community Library. https://www.springshistoricalsociety.org/community-library

• Amagansett Free Library. https://amagansettlibrary.org/

• Shelter Island Public Library. https://www.shelterislandpubliclibrary.org/

6. Parks + Trails

Trails, state parks, and wildlife refuges give children the chance to explore the outdoors while learning about nature firsthand. These spaces encourage curiosity, movement, and an appreciation for the environment — even during the colder months.

• Hither Hills State Park offers an array of different activities year round, including walking trails, snow shoeing, and more. https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/hither-hills-state-park

• The Quogue Wildlife Refuge is a 305 acre refuge that is open all year. They have miles of trails, a wildlife center, nature library and so much more! https://quoguewildliferefuge.org/

• Mashomack Preserve on Shelter Island has miles of trails, multiple types of wildlife, creeks, and so much more! https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/long-island-mashomack/

• Shadmoor Park has miles of trails, wildlife, with amazing views of the ocean. https://ehamptonny.gov/784/Shadmoor-Park

• Montauk Point State Park is home to New York's oldest lighthouse, playgrounds, spots for fishing (permit required) and so much more year round. https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/montauk-point-state-park

7. Odds + Ends

These experiences may not fall into a single category, but each offers something unique. Whether it’s a local treat or a community staple, they’re simple ways to mix things up this winter.

Tate's Bake Shop. See the location in Southampton where the famous cookies are made! https://www.tatesbakeshop.com/

Pelletreau Silver Shop. Tours and demonstrations avaialable at this historic silvermaking place. https://www.southamptonhistory.org/our-properties/the-pelletreau-silver-shop

Widow's Hole Oyster Farm has tours that show how oysters are cultivated. A fun and different educational experience! https://widowsholeoysters.com/#

East Hampton YMCA. With an abundance of classes and programs, this makes it the ideal location to stay active during the winter for all ages. https://ymcali.org/locations/ymca-east-hampton-recenter

Southampton Youth Association has programs throughout the year. https://www.syainc.org/

We hope this list gives you some new ideas — and reminds you of a few you may have forgotten — to help beat the winter blues. Winter weather doesn’t have to mean doing less, just doing things a little differently. Even in the quieter season, there’s still so much to explore in the Hamptons, and sometimes it’s the simple outings and time together that mean the most.