Nature is abound on Long Island and one way to squeeze in some quality family time is to learn which animals share our home. Luckily, various kinds of birds can be found here throughout the year and families can learn more about where the best spots are to watch our feathered friends take flight.

Can't get enough? We've also rounded up places where you can have an Animal Encounter or On the Farm birthday party.

Soak up these last few weekends of summer with big family fun! Round up the troops and head to the Hunterdon County 4-H Fair for tractor pulls and down home eats, get in on some swashbuckling action during the Oasis Pirate Adventure or check out the Laurita Winery Food Trucks & Fireworks Festival for both grown up and kid-friendly activities. Need a jump on back-to-school learning? Sign up for the Bats for Beginners program at Tenafly Nature Center or learn about colonial craftsmanship firsthand during Industrial Crafts Day at Cooper Gristmill Park. Whatever you decide to do this weekend, we hope you enjoy it with family and friends. For even more activity options, check out our Event Calendar and our Summer Fun Guide.

So the countdown to the unofficial end of summer has begun. That doesn’t mean, however, that enterprising parents won’t find plenty to do on the East End of Long Island this weekend.

From car shows to barbecues and cardboard boat racing, late-summer events dot the landscape of the North and South Forks as communities squeeze out that last ounce of vacation before the kids return to school.

And for more exciting events, check out our LI Calendar, as well as our Hamptons and North Fork Family Guide.

One of my favorite things about August in LA is Culver City's annual Shakespeare in the Park, courtesy of the Actors' Gang. Each year the Gang gives an upbeat, modern makeover to a different Shakespeare play aimed at families; recent highlights have included the Superhero Twelfth Night, the Star Wars Romeo and Juliet, and the My Little Pony Midsummer Night's Dream. This summer, Media Park comes alive every Saturday and Sunday morning with the Harry Potter Hamlet; and to go or not to go is hardly a question.

Whether your child is sports-obsessed or simply extremely active, having a sports-focused birthday is a great way to host a large group of kids and keep them entertained. There’s also the added bonus of sending worn-out kids home to happy parents!

We've rounded up our top picks for sports-themed parties, most of which are all inclusive, so all you have to do is show up with the birthday boy or girl. Many of them also allow you keep costs down by bringing your own food (also helpful for for parents of children with allergies). For even more birthday ideas, check out our Party Planner Guide.

Your babysitter has bailed and your night out is in jeopardy. Fortunately on the East End of Long Island there are a number of emergency child care options that just might preserve that essential date night. Some are local companies whose sitters are known to other parents in the community, while others are parts of larger national companies with well-earned reputations for reliability and security.

Most require registration on the firm’s website. Be aware that most sitters are independent contractors and not employees of their firms. so company liability varies.

Still, with less than a day’s notice, these services offer experienced sitters with recommendations that can be accessed online or by email. Prices are as of summer 2015 and vary depending on time, distance and services provided. Cancellation policies also vary.

For other information on activities and events in the area, be sure to check out our Hamptons & North Fork Family Guide.