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.

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Biking

Come join us for a relaxing bike ride at a comfortable pace and enjoy our beachfront views! Please bring your own bikes and helmets.

Fee: Free / Vehicle use fee may apply

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors

RSVP: RSVP Required.

Program starts 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.

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.

Children (Ages 7-12) | Activity

Learn how to conquer the outdoors with our skilled educators. Discover tips, tricks, and tools that will transform you into the ultimate wilderness master!

Theme: Animal Tracks

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.

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Walk and Activity

In this mindful walk, we will explore the textures of nature through experimental printmaking processes. Using natural materials for inspiration, we will make cyanotypes, charcoal, and clay transfer prints.

Fee: Free

Outdoors/Indoors?: Both

RSVP: RSVP Required.

Program starts 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.

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 or afternoon long.

Fee: Free

Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors

RSVP: No RSVP needed, walk-ins welcome.

Each picture book takes about 10 minutes to be read aloud.

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 or afternoon long.

Fee: Free

Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors

RSVP: No RSVP needed, walk-ins welcome.

Each picture book takes about 10 minutes to be read aloud.

All Ages (Recommended Ages 7+) | Walk

Join an educator on a late night hike at the West End and experience the beach during sunset!

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors

Fee: $4 per program participant

Distance: Up to 2 to 3 miles of walking across sand and/or pavement

RSVP: RSVP Required

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.

Children (Ages 2-4) | 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: Water Wonders

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.

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.

Children (Ages 2-4) | Class

Come to Jones Beach and join us for an exciting new activity! Your little one will get creative, get moving, and start learning about the fun of nature and science.

Theme: Water Wonders

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.

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.

All Ages | Lecture

Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center is home to several educational animals—come and meet them! Learn about our reptile species, hear their individual stories, and spend time with them in person!

Fee: Free / Vehicle use fee may apply

Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors or outdoors, weather allowing

RSVP: RSVP Required.

Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend

All Ages | Tours

Drop in anytime during these hours to experience our Touch Tank with an educator! You will meet hermit crabs, snails and more marine life 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.

All Ages | Movie

Nothing like a great movie on the beach! Join us this summer for movie nights on our back deck with concessions available such as pretzels, popcorn, cotton candy, ice cream, and more. Bring your own towel, blanket, or chair!

Theme: Come on an adventure to the Italian Riviera with a young sea monster boy who disguises himself as human on land.

Fee: Free admission, Concessions are available for purchase.

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors

RSVP: RSVP Required.

Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend

All Ages (Recommended Ages 7+) | Citizen Science

Join an educator on a hike of the West End to see the shorebirds of Long Island and our endangered Piping Plovers!

Fee: Free

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors

Distance: Up to 1 to 2 miles of walking across sand and/or pavement

RSVP: RSVP Required

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Citizen Science

Help us catalog the species that can be found at Jones Beach State Park during the summer! Please have the free “iNaturalist” app pre-downloaded and bring your own smartphone to participate in this program.

We will be walking outdoors on our trails to find different species. Please dress for the weather.

Learn more about iNaturalist here:

https://www.inaturalist.org/

https://www.inaturalist.org/projects

Fee: Free

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors

Distance: Up to 1 mile of walking across sand and/or pavement

RSVP: RSVP Required

The Teachers’ Workshop provides educators with an immersive experience at the Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center. Teachers are placed in the role of students, and learn about how to use the building and site to teach students about environmental design, dune ecology, climate change, coastal resilience, and more. Participants can receive CTLE (Continuing Teacher and Leader Education) hours through the New York State Education Department.

Here are some preview questions from the Energy and Us unit. This will cover the first 30 minutes of the workshop

https://forms.office.com/g/7q7qisgE4q

RSVP required. Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please call 516-809-8222 or email jbenc@parks.ny.gov to cancel your reservation if you cannot attend so your spot can be made available to others.

All Ages | Games

Play cornhole, jumbo Jenga, giant checkers, and more! A laid-back evening of outdoor games and fun for the whole family with concessions available such as pretzels, cotton candy, ice cream, cold drinks and popcorn.

Fee: Free, Concessions available for purchase

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors. 

RSVP: Not required. 

Children (Ages 2-4) | 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: Sharks

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.

Children (Ages 5-7) | Class

Join us for some beachside fun! Your curious children will enjoy learning about the wonders of nature through a creative craft and a hands-on activity!

Theme: Sharks

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.

All Ages | Activity

Join us with our guest, AOSNY. for an evening of night skies! On our back deck, we will use multiple telescopes to focus on the various celestial bodies.

Fee: Free

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors

Weather: In the case of inclement weather, we will notify folks of cancellation via-email, and we will update this webpage morning-of.

RSVP: RSVP Required.

Speakers:

Amateur Observers’ Society of New York

Established in 1965, the Amateur Observers’ Society of New York (“AOSNY”) was created as a means for astronomy enthusiasts of all ages to meet together. Amateur Astronomy is about helping others, learning, doing, and having fun!

Their mission is to bring Long Island astronomy to the public and provide astronomy resources to members. This expresses their commitment not only to serve their members, but also to educate and inspire the public.

All Ages | Movie

Nothing like a great movie on the beach! Join us this summer for movie nights on our back deck with concessions available such as hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn, cotton candy, ice cream, and more. Bring your own towel, blanket, or chair!

The movie will start at 8:00pm and end at 10:30pm. Activities including crafts, games, and more will be provided from 7:00pm to 8:00pm.

Theme: Broadway award-winning musical about the life one of America’s founding fathers.

Fee: Free admission, Concessions available for purchase

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors

RSVP: RSVP Required.

Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Wellness Activity

Join us for this intentional and grounding self-care workshop where you will make your own sugar scrub with essential oils.

Fee: Free 

Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors

RSVP: RSVP Required.  

Program departs 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.