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Weekend Events for Kids on Long Island, July 24-26: Cool and Unusual Family Events: An Indian Pow-Wow, Family Barndance and more

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 07/23/2009 - 1:11pm

We've been writing a lot about some of the great concerts and carnivals Long Island plays host to during the Summer months. Seems this weekend offers a break from tradition. We found some really unique ways for you to spend the weekend if you're out on the Island:

Being an Islander, chances are your kids are like mine and they love to watch boats. The 33rd Annual Around Long Island Regatta is being held this weekend. Whether you are a sailor or not, you might notice loads of sailboats off the coast the South Shore if you visit Jones, Robert Moses or the Fire Island Beaches on Saturday. The race starts Thursday evening and most boats finish sometime Sunday afternoon on the North Shore in Sea Cliff at the Sea Cliff Yacht Club. If you're not a member of the exclusive Yacht Club, one great place we've learned to watch the boats finish is The Sea Cliff Village Beach. Nestled up on the North Shore, the Village of Sea Cliff is really charming and makes a great day trip from just about anywhere on the Island or in the city. Along the Boulevard, the Sea Cliff Village Beach is just steps away from the Yacht Club. For a daily beach fee, you can enjoy the view of the finishing boats and a day of beach play. There is a great snack shop which offers beachy food and drinks, and of course ice cream. If you can, stay for dinner and stroll through the Village afterwards. Click here for information on the Village Beach and fees.

July 26th

Sea Cliff Village Beach

on the Boulevard, Sea Cliff, NY

On the West End, the Queens County Farm Museum is hosting the 31st Annual Thunderbird American Indian Mid-Summer Pow-Wow. Now, I've lived out in the Wild West and believe it or not, catching a pow-wow isn't all too uncommon, but if you've never seen one, you should check this out. A spectacle of colors, dance and native music, the kids will be engaged in History and Art. This happens to be NYC's oldest and largest pow-wow and includes art, crafts, and jewelrr for sale, not to mention some great foods. Their is a pow wow each say, but check the schedule for exact times.

July 24, 25, and 26

Queens County Farm Museum

73-50 Little Neck Parkway

Floral Park, NY

Out East, you can kick up your heels at a Barn Dance being held to support Suffolk County's 4-H programs. Cornell University's Suffolk County Branch is holding the dance in an actual barn and the night includes live square dance calling, games, crafts, wagon rides, and ice cream sundaes. The event is designed for the entire family, and if you show up as a family, it will save you money: $25 per family of 4, $10 per person. For more details, click here.

5pm-8pm

Suffolk County Farm and Education Center

350 Yaphank Avenue

Yaphank, NY

Hope you get a chance to enjoy some of these unique and cultural events! Happy Weekend!

New Jersey Weekend Events for Kids July 24-26: Hot Air Balloons, Racing Pigs, Baby Lambs, Scavenger Hunts and More

Submitted by Desiree on Thu, 07/23/2009 - 8:54am

This weekend you can watch 125 hot air balloons take to the skies, watch racing pigs at the county fair, wash and comb baby lambs, go on a nature scavenger hunt, or enjoy the evening munching on authentic Italian zeppoles.

NJ State Fair: Farm Fun and Rides Just a Short Ride from NYC

Submitted by Teresa on Thu, 07/23/2009 - 5:51am

We love state fairs. With all the animals, games, rides and junk food, they are full of old-fashioned fun for the entire family. While we've written about all the New York State and County Fairs and that post is in our Summer Activity Guide, but we also love the New Jersey State Fair, which is opening in the end of July.

The NJ State Fair was started in 1821 and retains an old-fashioned charm today. Just one hour’s drive from NYC, the NJ State Fair is filled with a slew of animals rivaling Noah, a fairway full of rides, pig races, butterfly exhibits, bee-keeping exhibitions and a food court offering everything from home-made baked-potatoes to blooming onions and corn-dogs—your kids’ll be enthralled. And did we mention a wine-making competition and a beer tent? And there's even free parking.

News: Preschool Admissions, NYC Celebrity Tours, Contests, End to Classroom Aides, and Too Heavy Backpacks

Submitted by Anna Fader on Wed, 07/22/2009 - 5:38am

It's that time of year again when parents with children of a certain age need to start panicking about getting their kids into preschools. Find out about resources to help you get through it, plus this other news: Parents can't pay for classroom aides, Celebrities are giving City tours, how to know if your child's back pack is too heavy and what can you do about it. And there's some fun contests going on that could win you a free birthday party or some cash. And of course, don't forget to enter our Dinner Party Giveaway. We've given away three dinner parties for 10 and we've got 7 more to go!

Sony Wonder Technology Lab

Submitted by Anna Fader on Mon, 07/20/2009 - 4:50am

We recently visited the newly renovated Sony Wonder Technology Lab and by the end of the visit this great venue had shot up to the top of our list of must visit spots for kids in New York City. The Sony Wonder Technology Lab has always been a great find, with free movie screenings and a fun children's museum with interactive exhibits. But the new renovation and exhibits leap-frog the Sony Wonder Technology Lab to the forefront of NYC children's museums for kids.

New York is full of great children's museums, but the Sony Wonder Technology Lab does one thing really, really well that none of the other children's museums in New York City currently do: it teaches kids about the stuff they want to learn about most, technology.

Quidditch Game and Scavenger Hunts Bring Harry Potter to Life for NYC Fans

Submitted by Anna Fader on Fri, 07/17/2009 - 4:43pm

If you have a Harry Potter fan at home, these are some pretty exciting times. What with the new Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince movie out now and the final book in paper back. But for New York City kids, of course, there are always more ways to get involved in any passion than just viewing it through mass media. If you are a Harry Potter fan in New York, Harry Potter can come to life for you in lots of fun ways.

Here are some upcoming events for Harry Potter fans:

Weekend Events for Kids on Long Island, July 17-19: Laurie Berkner Concert, Music Festivals, and Picnics in the Park

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 07/16/2009 - 10:09pm

Got the mid-Summer Blues? Here is a breakdown of some of the coolest events going on this weekend on The Island to help jump start the stretch of Summer: A great Laurie Berkner Concert, a fun way to meet other moms, a mini staycation in Cold Spring Harbor Village, plus a blues festival. Have fun!

New Jersey Weekend Events for Kids July 17-19: Historic Train Rides, Ice Cream, Tall Ships, City of Water Festival and More

Submitted by Anna Fader on Thu, 07/16/2009 - 9:09pm

There is a bit of everything for everyone in New Jersey this weekend. You can take a ferry from New Jersey to Governor’s Island for City of Water Day, sail the Hudson on a historic schooner, or ride an antique caboose train to the nostalgic sounds of old railroad tracks. Animal lovers can attend the largest cat show in the Northeast and bird lovers can hike through Liberty State Park looking for summer shore birds. Finally, who can resist the ice cream eating competitions and tasting events at the New Jersey State Ice Cream Festival?