New Summer Camps and Programs for Long Island Kids in 2020

Oasis at LIU Post Lego Robotics camp is new for summer 2020. Photo courtesy of the camp

Summer may be months away, but Long Island summer camps are beginning to hold open houses, and enrollment will soon fill up. There's no better time to start dreaming and planning for the warmer weather than now.

From athletes to performing artists and even preschoolers, there is a program premiering this summer for kids of just about every interest. Whether you've got a first-time camper or a seasoned pro looking for something new, we've rounded up the 2020 summer camp season's latest additions.

Are you looking for more info on Long Island camps? Check our lists of the best camps in Nassau and Suffolk counties, or you can always find more camps for kids in our Camps Guide and full Camp Directory.

Indoor Gardens Where Boston Kids and Families Can Escape Winter

Balmy temps and spectacular flora invite exploration. Photo courtesy of Tower Hill Botanic Garden

Could your family use an escape from the New England chill? A warm, green space is closer than you may think. Several fabulous indoor gardens around Boston keep their greenhouse and atrium doors open throughout the winter. With controlled balmy temperatures—be sure to bring a bag for stashing ski jackets!—these sunlit spaces feature exotic plants and animals as well as plenty of space for children for roam, discover, and daydream.

For more ideas for keeping kids busy on the coldest or wettest days, check out our Boston indoor fun guide.

11 New Birthday Party Venues for Westchester Families

Choose from a variety of art activities for a birthday party at Art XO Studio in Irvington. Photo courtesy of the studio

Looking for fresh ideas to break from the birthday party monotony? We’ve scoured Westchester County to bring you 11 new birthday party venues where you can celebrate in 2020. From art studios to play cafes, martial arts studios to a marine education center, these spots promise lots of fun for your child's next fete.

Because there’s such a demand for birthday resources, we’ve kept tabs on assorted party venues and in-house party entertainers for Westchester families to simplify your research. Plus, we recently rounded up 20 Birthday Party Places for Westchester Toddlers and Preschoolers.

Read on for Westchester's 11 newest birthday party venues, and if you haven't done so already, sign up for our newsletters to stay in the know! 

Where to Fish with Kids in Connecticut

My childhood is full of fond memories of fishing trips by the shores of lakes and rivers and drifting along in our silent gray canoe. Connecticut has a lively fishing culture and a lot to offer kids interested in honing up their angling. Whether you need to know about licenses or classes, or just the best spots to cast a line, read on for the whole story on the what, where, and when of fishing in Connecticut, from Candlewood Lake and Lake Zoar in western Connecticut to Black Pond and Moodus Resevoir in the East.

See our spring fun guide and summer activities guide for more ideas of enjoying waterfront activities with Connecticut kids.

Enjoy a Family-Friendly Day Trip to Celebrate Your Kid's Next Birthday

Book a birthday party at Sesame Place and celebrate with everyone’s favorite Sesame Street Friends!

Birthdays are big business in New York City, but there comes a point when the last thing you want to do is throw another big blowout party, especially in a small city apartment. Perhaps, then, it's time to consider a new way to celebrate: the family-friendly day trip.

From cool outdoor explorations to awesome animal adventures, water fun, and skiing, we've rounded up 13 family-friendly day trip spots within two hours of city limits—some are even accessible by public transit—to celebrate your kid's next trip around the sun. Read on and start planning an epic birthday, no goodie bags required.

American Dream's Nickelodeon Universe Lives up to the Hype

My kids were thrilled to meet SpongeBob Square Pants during our visit Nickelodeon Universe.

It's hard to live up to hype, but the new Nickelodeon Universe at American Dream is doing just that. The Western Hemisphere's biggest indoor amusement park is filled with interesting rides that make it worth the trip—including three record-setting coasters and a variety of rides my family and I had never encountered before.

While most kids I know are excited to explore American Dream, parents are wary about navigating the mega entertainment and shopping complex. But we're here to report that it's not as daunting as it might seem at first glance.

As American Dream phases into completion, visitors can likewise chip away at the many offerings one at a time, rather than be overwhelmed by the grand scale of things. That's just what we did on a recent weekend visit to Nickelodeon Universe, and we found it to be surprisingly manageable—and extremely fun. Read on for more about our visit. 

Top Indoor Swimming Pools for Philly Kids and Families

Burn some energy with a swim at one of Philly's indoor pools. Photo from the Camden Kroc Center

Don’t let the winter chill or a tight budget keep you and your kiddos from taking a swim! Philadelphia is home to some great indoor swimming pools that are available for open swim, several of which don’t require a membership at all, while others will get you and the kids swimming with an inexpensive membership.

Read on for our top picks for indoor pools for kids and families in Philly, and if you need more ideas on what to do when you can’t get outside, check out our Indoor Activities Guide.

Nassau County Summer Day Camps for Long Island Kids

Challenge  the wall at North Shore Day Camp in Glen Cove.

It's never too early to think about summer. There are family vacations to organize, and then there's the issue of what to do with the rest of the time. Summer camp is an excellent option for many families, and day camps can be affordable and fun. 

Camps across Long Island are beginning to hold open houses, so it might be time to figure out where to send your little ones once school lets out. Looking for a general camp? How about one just for preschoolers? Or how about a camp for older children? Here we check out the best camps Nassau County has to offer.

From special events, programs that focus on art, sports, or science, to field trips, these camps are sure to create fun experiences and great memories. Each camp below has its American Camp Association accreditation; for a comprehensive list, check out our Long Island Camp Guide and our directory of camp listings. A guide to Suffolk County camps can be found here

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