Long Island Children’s Museum is giving young builders a place to dream big with the opening of Dig Zone, an interactive construction-themed exhibit where children can scoop, shovel, haul and explore through hands-on play.

As the second new permanent exhibit to open at LICM this year, Dig Zone represents the Museum’s continued investment in creating fresh, engaging experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity and learning for Long Island families.

Designed for children of all ages, Dig Zone transforms a simple pile of sand into an exciting construction site. Visitors can dig with real tools, load sand into construction vehicles, operate a hand-cranked conveyor belt and work together to move materials across the job site. Every scoop and shovel introduces concepts like engineering, simple machines, cause and effect, collaboration and problem-solving through play.

“Children naturally learn by doing,” said Ashley Niver, Director of Education at Long Island Children’s Museum. “Dig Zone gives families the freedom to experiment, build, collaborate and imagine together while developing important STEM and social-emotional skills in a joyful, hands-on environment.”

Dig Zone joins Saltwater Stories: We Need the Sea & the Sea Needs Me, which opened in October of 2025, as one of the Museum’s newest permanent additions. Together, the exhibits reflect LICM’s commitment to continually evolving the Museum experience for returning visitors while remaining rooted in the power of play.

For many Long Island families, LICM is more than a one-time destination—it’s a place children return to again and again as they grow. Ongoing support from members, donors and community partners helps make new exhibits like Dig Zone possible while ensuring the Museum continues to create meaningful learning experiences for future generations.

“As a nonprofit children’s museum, every contribution helps,” said Niver. “Whether it’s paying admission or a larger investment in our mission, community support allows us to continue building places where children can learn, explore and discover through play.”

Dig Zone is included with Museum admission and is now open.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.licm.org.

About Long Island Children’s Museum

Long Island Children’s Museum (LICM) is a 40,000-square-foot, hands-on learning space dedicated to inspiring imagination and fostering joyful learning for children and families. With 14 interactive exhibits, live theater, art spaces, educational programs, and special events, LICM welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to explore, create, and discover together. Located in Garden City on Museum Row, LICM is chartered by the New York State Board of Regents as a museum and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the highest national recognition afforded to museums in the United States.