Storytime Corner Walk-in Hour
Children (Ages 0-8) | Read-aloud
Drop in to our hour of storytelling. Our educators will make our picture books come alive for your children. Our library of entertaining picture books will keep your kids interested all morning long.
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors
RSVP: No RSVP needed, walk-ins welcome.
Each picture book takes about 10 minutes to be read aloud.
Touch Tank Walk-in Hours
All Ages | Tours
Drop in anytime during these hours to request a touch tank experience with an educator. Our educator will introduce you to hermit crabs and snails, some of which you might recognize from around Long Island!
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors
RSVP: No RSVP needed, walk-ins welcome.
The experience typically takes about 15 minutes to explore the different animal species and shells we house in our tank.
Touch Tank Walk-in Hours
All Ages | Tours
Drop in anytime during these hours to request a touch tank experience with an educator. Our educator will introduce you to hermit crabs and snails, some of which you might recognize from around Long Island!
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors
RSVP: No RSVP needed, walk-ins welcome.
The experience typically takes about 15 minutes to explore the different animal species and shells we house in our tank.
Seaside Stretching
Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Wellness Activity
Journey down to the seashore to enjoy a guided stretch and meditative exercise.
Join the NYS Parks Wellness Challenge to win an exclusive sticker!
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors, but we will move indoors in the case of inclement weather.
Distance: Up to 1 mile walk there-and-back walk on a sandy beach.
RSVP: RSVP Required.
Program departs 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.
Storytime Corner: En Español! Walk-in Hour
Jovenes (0-8) | Libros Ilustrados
Participe en nuestra hora de cuentacuentos. Escuche a nuestros educadores leyendo cuentos en español y ingles. Nuestra colección de libros entretendrá a tus hijos toda la mañana.
Tarifa: Gratis
¿Exterior/Interior?: Interior
RSVP: No se requiere RSVP, se aceptan visitas sin cita previa.
Cada libro ilustrado se lee en voz alta en unos 10 minutos.
Birding & Biking
Adults (Ages +12) | Bike Ride
Join us for a leisurely bike ride with rest stops for birding. Learn about the different habitats on Jones Beach and keep your eyes open for shorebirds, ospreys, warblers, tree swallows, and more. No experience required. Binoculars are provided--but bikes and helmets are not.
We will be meeting at the Center, going over a few basics of birding and facts and then participants will follow our educator via bike across the West End.
Fee: $4 per program participant / Vehicle use fee may apply
Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors. Will be cancelled via email in the case of inclement weather.
Distance: Up to 4 miles of biking.
RSVP: RSVP Required.
Program departs 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.
Fishing Clinic
Join an educator and learn about the fish that live in Jones Bay with our free rod and reel fishing clinic. All ages welcome. CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY
This program takes place at Jones Beach State Park Field 10 Fishing Piers
Tiny Tots: Fossils
Children (Ages 3-6) | Class
Come to Jones Beach and join us for an exciting new activity every week. Your little one will get creative, get moving, and start learning about the fun of the outdoors and of science.
Theme: Fossils
Fee: $4 per program participant / Vehicle use fee may apply
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors, with possible short outdoor activity
RSVP: RSVP Required.
Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.
Migration Festival
Jones Beach is apart of a major migratory pathway--the Atlantic Flyway--and we get a front row seat to the migration of monarch butterflies, humpback whales, and hundreds of different bird species! Let's party and wish our favorite animals a safe journey south. Make a craft, learn to use binoculars, and compete in our fashion show!
Touch Tank Walk-in Hours
All Ages | Tours
Drop in anytime during these hours to request a touch tank experience with an educator. Our educator will introduce you to hermit crabs and snails, some of which you might recognize from around Long Island!
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors
RSVP: No RSVP needed, walk-ins welcome.
The experience typically takes about 15 minutes to explore the different animal species and shells we house in our tank.
Storytime Corner Walk-in Hour
Children (Ages 0-8) | Read-aloud
Drop in to our hour of storytelling. Our educators will make our picture books come alive for your children. Our library of entertaining picture books will keep your kids interested all morning long.
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors
RSVP: No RSVP needed, walk-ins welcome.
Each picture book takes about 10 minutes to be read aloud.
Spooky Skeletons
All Ages | Activity
Bones, bones, and more bones! This Halloween get macabre with us and enjoy our all ages show-and-tell program that will have you intrigued, surprised, and a maybe a little creeped out.
Fee: $4 per program participant / Vehicle use fee may apply
Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors
Weather: In case of rain, will be moved indoors
RSVP: RSVP Required.
Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.
Algonquin Language Scavenger Hunt
All Ages | Activity
How many names does one living thing have? Embark on a mission to meet familiar animals, plants, and more here at Jones Beach, and speak their Algonquin-language names.
Fee: Free / Vehicle use fee may apply
RSVP: RSVP Required.
Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.
October Big Day
All Ages (Recommended 7+) | Activity
Be a part of the world-wide effort to track bird populations during October Big Day! Our educators will lead a birding hike and we need you, as citizen scientists, to help us identify and count all the species we identify.
Fee: Free / Vehicle use fee may apply
Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors
Distance: 1.5 miles on pavement and sand
RSVP: RSVP Required.
Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.
Adult Craft: Jar-O-Lanterns
Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Craft
Learn a new skill with us and create a craft to decorate your home, gift to a friend, or just to help you unwind and relax.
Theme: Jar-O-Lanterns
Fee: $4 per program participant / Vehicle use fee may apply
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors
RSVP: RSVP Required.
Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.
Tiny Tots: Bats
Children (Ages 3-6) | Class
Come to Jones Beach and join us for an exciting new activity every week. Your little one will get creative, get moving, and start learning about the fun of the outdoors and of science.
Theme: Bats
Fee: $4 per program participant / Vehicle use fee may apply
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors, with possible short outdoor activity
RSVP: RSVP Required.
Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.
Monarch Tagging
Adults, and Families (Ages 6+) | Citizen Science
Join our educators for an exciting community science program to capture, tag, and release Monarchs. The Monarch Watch Tagging Program is a large-scale community science project that was initiated in 1992 to help understand the dynamics of the monarch's spectacular fall migration through mark and recapture.
1:30-1:40: Sign In, Volunteer Registration
1:40-2:00: What is a Monarch? Where are they migrating?
2:00-2:30: Capturing Monarchs
2:30-3:00: Tag & Release
Fee: Free / Vehicle use fee may apply
Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors
RSVP: RSVP Required.
Program begins 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.
Fishing Clinic
Join an educator and learn about the fish that live in Jones Bay with our free rod and reel fishing clinic. All ages welcome. CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY
This program takes place at Jones Beach State Park Field 10 Fishing Piers
Touch Tank Walk-in Hours
All Ages | Tours
Drop in anytime during these hours to request a touch tank experience with an educator. Our educator will introduce you to hermit crabs and snails, some of which you might recognize from around Long Island!
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors
RSVP: No RSVP needed, walk-ins welcome.
The experience typically takes about 15 minutes to explore the different animal species and shells we house in our tank.
Monarch Tagging
Adults, and Families (Ages 6+) | Citizen Science
Join our educators for an exciting community science program to capture, tag, and release Monarchs. The Monarch Watch Tagging Program is a large-scale community science project that was initiated in 1992 to help understand the dynamics of the monarch's spectacular fall migration through mark and recapture.
10:30-10:40: Sign In, Volunteer Registration
10:40-11:00: What is a Monarch? Where are they migrating?
11:00-11:30: Capturing Monarchs
11:30-12:00: Tag & Release
Fee: Free / Vehicle use fee may apply
Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors
RSVP: RSVP Required.
Program begins 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.
Wild Kids: Birding
Children (Ages 7-12) | Activity
If you want to master the outdoors, join our workshop! Our educators will share the tricks, tools, and tips learned from our time in the wilderness.
Theme: Birding
Fee: $4 per program participant / Vehicle use fee may apply
Outdoors/Indoors?: Both.
Distance: If weather allows, up to 1 miles of walking on sand and/or pavement.
RSVP: RSVP Required.
Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.
Solar Shindig
Come and soak up the sun with a day of fun experiments, crafts, hands-on activities, and solar observing with a special telescope!
Monarch Tagging
Adults, and Families (Ages 6+) | Citizen Science
Join our educators for an exciting community science program to capture, tag, and release Monarchs. The Monarch Watch Tagging Program is a large-scale community science project that was initiated in 1992 to help understand the dynamics of the monarch's spectacular fall migration through mark and recapture.
1:30-1:40: Sign In, Volunteer Registration
1:40-2:00: What is a Monarch? Where are they migrating?
2:00-2:30: Capturing Monarchs
2:30-3:00: Tag & Release
Fee: Free / Vehicle use fee may apply
Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors
RSVP: RSVP Required.
Program begins 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.
Passport through Parks: Park Preserve
All Ages | Hike
Discover Long Island’s State Parks in the regional hiking series that goes through every park on the Island!
New participants will receive a passport booklet. Earn a sticker at each state park’s passport hike. Earn 10 stickers to be entered into a raffle for a chance to win FREE admission to 2026 Environmental Education programs.
Fee: $4 per program participant / Vehicle use fee may apply
Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors, this is a 2.5 mile hike on a sandy path to explore the Park Preserve of Jones beach.
RSVP: RSVP Required.
Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.
Seaside Stretching
Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Wellness Activity
Journey down to the seashore to enjoy a guided stretch and meditative exercise.
Join the NYS Parks Wellness Challenge to win an exclusive sticker!
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors, but we will move indoors in the case of inclement weather.
Distance: Up to 1 mile walk there-and-back walk on a sandy beach.
RSVP: RSVP Required.
Program departs 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.
Monarch Tagging
Adults and Families (Ages 6+) | Citizen Science
Join our educators for an exciting community science program to capture, tag, and release Monarchs. The Monarch Watch Tagging Program is a large-scale community science project that was initiated in 1992 to help understand the dynamics of the monarch's spectacular fall migration through mark and recapture.
1:30-1:40: Sign In, Volunteer Registration
1:40-2:00: What is a Monarch? Where are they migrating?
2:00-2:30: Capturing Monarchs
2:30-3:00: Tag & Release
Fee: Free / Vehicle use fee may apply
Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors
RSVP: RSVP Required.
Program begins 15 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.
Touch Tank Walk-in Hours
All Ages | Tours
Drop in anytime during these hours to request a touch tank experience with an educator. Our educator will introduce you to hermit crabs and snails, some of which you might recognize from around Long Island!
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors
RSVP: No RSVP needed, walk-ins welcome.
The experience typically takes about 15 minutes to explore the different animal species and shells we house in our tank.
Yoga on Deck
Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Class
A basic level yoga class with our yoga instructor that will take place outdoors on our ocean-facing deck.
Join the NYS Parks Wellness Challenge to win an exclusive sticker!
Fee: Free / Vehicle use fee may apply
Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors, weather allowing—otherwise will be indoors.
RSVP: RSVP Required.
Program begins 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.
Passport through Parks: Pollinator Garden
All Ages | Hike
Discover Long Island’s State Parks in the regional hiking series that goes through every park on the Island!
New participants will receive a passport booklet. Earn a sticker at each state park’s passport hike. Earn 10 stickers to be entered into a raffle for a chance to win FREE admission to 2026 Environmental Education programs.
Fee: $4 per program participant / Vehicle use fee may apply
Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors, this is a wheelchair-accessible excursion that will be no more than 0.5 mile on paved sidewalk.
RSVP: RSVP Required.
Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.
Hispanic Heritage Month: Paper Weaving Workshop
Adults & Teens | Craft
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a fun paper weaving craft!
Our educator will present on the weaving techniques of Latin America, as well as the amazing clothing, baskets, blankets, and other products of the region.
Follow along for a simple paper-weaving exercise to bring home your own colorful craft!
Fee: Free / Vehicle use fee may apply
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors
RSVP: RSVP Required.
Program begins 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.
Day of Play
All Ages | Activity
In conjunction with Nassau County Girl Scouts’ Thin Mint Sprint, join for the after-party at Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center!
Anyone is welcome to play, whether you’re a scout or not! We have a series of programs designed with Girl Scouts badge requirements in mind.
12:00pm-1:00pm Chalk Art (Tied to Art in the Outdoors badges)
Listen to the sounds of nature, see wildlife and flowers, and make chalk art inspired by your observations.
1:00pm-2:00pm Monarch Tagging Talk and Pollinator Garden BioBlitz
Monarch butterflies are migrating, the bugs are buzzing, and we are going to catalog them—for science! Join us in the garden to help catch-and-release different pollinators.
2:00pm & 2:30pm Microplastics Beach Cleanup
Embark on a half-hour walk to find evidence of microplastics in our Jones Beach sand! Our educators need your help finding and identifying these pieces of garbage. Learn more about why they are so damaging to our ecosystem.
3:00pm-4:00pm Seashell Mandalas
Practice your patterns by arranging found natural materials into beautiful mandalas, and take a polaroid picture home to remember it by.
Outdoors/Indoors?: Both, this event is rain or shine
Fee: Free / Vehicle use fee may apply
RSVP: No RSVP needed, walk-ins welcome.
Yoga on Deck
Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Class
A basic level yoga class with our yoga instructor that will take place outdoors on our ocean-facing deck.
Join the NYS Parks Wellness Challenge to win an exclusive sticker!
Fee: Free / Vehicle use fee may apply
Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors, weather allowing—otherwise will be indoors.
RSVP: RSVP Required.
Program begins 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.
Back to School: Parents Workshop
Adults | Workshop
Do you want your kid to get ahead in science, technology, engineering, art, and math? Come meet an educator and find out how our Center’s programs make STEAM learning FUN!
Fee: Free / Vehicle use fee may apply
Outdoors/Indoors?: Both
RSVP: RSVP Required.
Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.
Touch Tank Walk-in Hours
All Ages | Tours
Drop in anytime during these hours to request a touch tank experience with an educator. Our educator will introduce you to hermit crabs and snails, some of which you might recognize from around Long Island!
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors
RSVP: No RSVP needed, walk-ins welcome.
The experience typically takes about 15 minutes to explore the different animal species and shells we house in our tank.
Tiny Tots: Jellyfish
Children (Ages 3-6) | Class
Come to Jones Beach and join us for an exciting new activity every week. Your little one will get creative, get moving, and start learning about the fun of the outdoors and of science.
Theme: Jellyfish
Fee: $4 per program participant / Vehicle use fee may apply
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors, with possible short outdoor activity
RSVP: RSVP Required.
Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.
Tiny Tots: Jellyfish
Children (Ages 3-6) | Class
Come to Jones Beach and join us for an exciting new activity every week. Your little one will get creative, get moving, and start learning about the fun of the outdoors and of science.
Theme: Jellyfish
Fee: $4 per program participant / Vehicle use fee may apply
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors, with possible short outdoor activity
RSVP: RSVP Required.
Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.
Touch Tank Walk-in Hours
All Ages | Tours
Drop in anytime during these hours to request a touch tank experience with an educator. Our educator will introduce you to hermit crabs and snails, some of which you might recognize from around Long Island!
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors
RSVP: No RSVP needed, walk-ins welcome.
The experience typically takes about 15 minutes to explore the different animal species and shells we house in our tank.
Touch Tank Walk-in Hours
All Ages | Tours
Drop in anytime during these hours to request a touch tank experience with an educator. Our educator will introduce you to hermit crabs and snails, some of which you might recognize from around Long Island!
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors
RSVP: No RSVP needed, walk-ins welcome.
The experience typically takes about 15 minutes to explore the different animal species and shells we house in our tank.
Share the Names: Algonquin BioBlitz
All Ages | Activity
How many names does one living thing have? Embark on a mission to meet familiar animals, plants, and more here at Jones Beach, and speak their Algonquin-language names.
Fee: Free / Vehicle use fee may apply
RSVP: RSVP Required.
Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.
Touch Tank Walk-in Hours
All Ages | Tours
Drop in anytime during these hours to request a touch tank experience with an educator. Our educator will introduce you to hermit crabs and snails, some of which you might recognize from around Long Island!
Fee: Free
Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors
RSVP: No RSVP needed, walk-ins welcome.
The experience typically takes about 15 minutes to explore the different animal species and shells we house in our tank.