Whether you’re in the mood for surrounding yourself with nature or relaxing while watching a production, you’ll find great activities happening this weekend on Long Island. And if you want the best of both worlds you can gather the family and stake out a piece of grass to watch one of two productions while simultaneously enjoying the great outdoors.

Alice in Wonderland
The Vanderbilt Museum Carriage House
180 Little Neck Road
Centerport
631.854.5579
Saturday, July 24^th and Sunday, July 25^th, 2PM

Join Alice and the unusual creatures she encounters on her journey in Wonderland in this production by the Arena Players. Tickets are $10; Call in advance to reserve tickets.

Butterfly House Program
Sweetbriar Nature Center
62 Eckernkamp Drive
Smithtown
631.979.6344
Saturday, July 24^th, Sunday July 25^th, 12PM-1PM

Surround yourself with over 200 butterflies and learn about the life cycle of these beautiful creatures. Children may participate in making a butterfly craft. The fee is $3 for adults and $2 for children.

Animal Olympics
Caleb Smith State Park Preserve Nature Museum
581 West Jericho Turnpike
Smithtown
631.265.1054
Saturday, July 24^th, 10AM-11:30AM

Compete by using skills that animals need to survive in the environment. The cost is $3 per child. As with all New York State Park events, there is a charge for parking.

Children’s Summer Theater – Suffolk County
Heckscher State Park
East Islip
631.321.3510
Saturday, July 24^th, 2PM

Make a run for a magical afternoon! This summer theater production features magician James Lazzarini in the “Magic of Amore.” Call for additional details. As with all New York State Park events, there is a charge for parking.

Moon River Walk
Connetquot River State Park Preserve
Box 505
Oakdale
631.581.1072
Saturday, July 24^th, 8PM-10PM

See the beauty of the preserve at night. All ages are invited to join in a 3 mile guided walk along trails in and along the Connetquot River. The fee for adults is $4 and $3 for children. As with all New York State Park events, there is a charge for parking.

Children’s Summer Theater – Nassau County
Hempstead Lake State Park
West Hempstead
516.766.1029
Sunday, July 25^th, 2PM

Bring your blankets and chairs! Watch as the traditional English puppet show, The Tragical Comedy of Punch and Judy is performed in a beautiful park environment. As with all New York State Park events, there is a charge for parking.

Forget the Jersey Shore!  This weekend there are festivals galore throughout New Jersey, so leave your bathing suit at home!  Check out the animals, lumberjacks, and racing bigs at the Monmouth County Fair or Morris County 4-H Fair. Take a hot air balloon ride or just enjoy the view from the ground at the NJ Festival of Ballooning.  The Karavan of Kids is a day of fun activities, performances and entertainment including a baseball game.  Animal enthusiasts can spend a Family Fun Day at Monmouth Park complete with pony rides, music, and face painting or learn how to be a zookeeper at Space Farms Annual Junior Zookeeper Day.  And Liberty Park is hosting City of Water Day with kayak tours, bird watching and more. Can't bear to leave the Shore?  How about concluding your trip to the beach with an ice cream sundae and Cabaret at the Music Man Singing Ice Cream Shoppe...

There’s nothing better than live theater to ignite our children’s imaginations. Here on Long Island, we are lucky to have a wide variety of theater venues. During the summer, we also have the opportunity to enjoy some of this fine theater in the great outdoors. So grab a blanket, pack a snack, and have fun. The most difficult part, figuring out whether to watch the show, or watch your young one watching the show.

Many outdoor activities are planned for this upcoming weekend.  There is a comedy show geared towards children taking place at Caumsett State Park.  Or you could enjoy one of the park offered nature-themed programs and explore the great outdoors.  And for those with a sweet tooth, try the annual Copenhagen Bakery Food Fest in the picturesque town of Northport on Long Island's North Shore.  Go for the pie and stay for the pie-eating contest!