9 Family-Friendly Places to Watch Football with Long Island Kids

11/2/15 - By James Smith

Sure as autumn leaves change color, baseball season quickly becomes football season on Long Island. Armchair quarterbacks eager to watch the big game with their kids have plenty of options across Nassau and Suffolk Counties, including play centers, family-friendly sports pubs and even the stadium itself. We’ve rounded up some of our favorites where you can watch all the action and still keep an eye on the kids.

And for more ways to have fun with the whole family, be sure to check out our Long Island Events Calendar.

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AT THE STADIUM
Stony Brook
Stony Brook University

Stadium Road at Nicolls Road, 11794
631-632-7933
Parents who want to introduce their children to the stadium experience will find plenty to enjoy at the home of the Seawolves. The 8,300-seat stadium is in the heart of the SBU campus and game days are filled with all the pageantry college football fans cherish. As of October 2015, the most expensive tickets are $20, with prime seats for kids 6-13 available for $10 or less. The Seawolves compete in the NCAA’s Colonial Athletic Association; most games are played on Saturday afternoons, perfect for kids of any age.

Kings Point
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

Kings Point Road and Steamboat Road

516-773-5000

The Merchant Marine Academy competes in NCAA Division III as a member of the Liberty League. Games are played Friday nights or Saturday afternoons in a wonderful fall setting at the academy’s Brooks Field, near Kings Point Park and north of Great Neck.

PLAY CENTERS
Le Play Café
2465 Merrick Rd., Bellmore
516-308-7053
info@leplaycafe.com
Owned by a local parent, Le Play Café offers a 2,000-square-foot indoor play space and climbable play structure for kids. Moms and dads will enjoy Wi-Fi, coffee, a big-screen TV and a bar that overlooks the play area. Admission is free for adults, making it an ideal place to watch your favorite team and your favorite child.


Turf Island Indoor Sports
Maple Court, Oceanside
516-543-4345
Turf Island,a 20-000-square-foot activity center, boasts that it is “designed by athletes for athletes.” Baseball, dodgeball, lacrosse and gymnastics classes will delight your kids (8 and older) while you delight in the big game. Strength and agility classes for kids are led by former NFL player Donny Brady of North Bellmore.

Dave and Buster’s
Westbury
1504 Old Country Road
516-542-8501
Islandia
1856 Veteran's Memorial Hwy.
631-582-6615
The Dallas-based entertainment center has two Long Island locations. Traditional arcade games plus the latest in high-tech video games will keep the kids occupied while you are engaged in the big game. Both locations offer Sunday afternoon and Monday night NFL specials for adults with discounted appetizers, finger food and, of course, giant-screen TVs.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY BARS / RESTAURANTS
Smitty’s All American Grill

96 Main Rd., Riverhead
631-315-2899
This recent addition to the North Fork is located inside The All Star Lanes and Lounge near the Route 105 in Riverhead. Large-screen TVs feature football every weekend, while the adjacent bowling alleys are available for individual play and party rentals. The grill room features an impressive children’s menu, including craft pizza.

Texas Roadhouse 
Deer Park

502 Commack Road, 11729
631-242-7427
East Meadow
2571 Hempstead Turnpike, Suite 100, 11554
516-520-7427
The chain, famous in the Midwest, has two Long Island locations and football takes center stage on weekends. Both restaurants offer kids’ nights each Monday with discounted meals, arts and crafts and more in advance of the big Monday night game.

Photo: Stony Brook University

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