Be a Graffiti Artist for the Day at Graff Lab Studio

Choose your favorite stencils to create a one of a kind product.

Graff Lab Studio is an immersive experience that offers graffiti-style art where kids, teens, and adults can create one-of-a-kind items. Graff Lab Studio offers drop-in workshops, summer camps, birthday parties, and private events in industrial spaces in Holtsville and New Hyde Park. The company can also come to the location of your choice for on-demand graffiti fun. What are you waiting for? Tag someone you want to visit with.

Want more options for your mini Monet? Visit our Museum and Art Guide and our Directory of Art Classes on Long Island.

Food Trucks Festivals Long Island Families Will Love

Alive After Five Patchogue. Photo courtesy Alive After Five

Food truck festivals across Long Island are real crowd-pleasers since they let everyone in the family order their preferred cuisine, from savory crepes to crunchy tacos to juicy burgers. And don't forget to save room for dessert, because there are even trucks for that!

If you're hungry for more ideas on where to chow down with the kids, check out our rundown of outdoor dining options on Long Island. For more ideas on how to make the most of what's left of summer, peruse our Summer Fun Guide.

North Shore Rail Trail: Hike, Bike, and Explore

Hike, bike, or walk the North Shore Rail Trail. Photo by Jill Warshaw

The North Shore Rail Trail, a project 50 years in the making, opened to visitors recently, connecting Mt. Sinai to Wading River in a traffic-free environment. The abandoned railroad line now has a new life, providing walkers, runners, and bicyclists with a paved path to recreational fun. 

From stroller-friendly paths and beach walks to hiking trails, Long Island boasts many outdoor adventures for those seeking exercise and vitamin D. And be sure to check out our Guide to Playgrounds and Parks on Long Island for other recreational destinations.  

Fishing Lakes Near Long Island and More Kid-Friendly Places to Go Fishing

Drop a line in the pond at the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery.

Fishing destinations on Long Island offer a fun outdoor family activity with deep roots in Long Island's maritime history and culture. Surrounded by the sea, kids on Long Island can drop a line at several beaches, local piers, from the deck of a boat, and parks. We've rounded up a few of our favorite family-friendly fishing venues where kids can test their skills and perhaps hook the catch of the day.

Looking for more seaside enjoyment? Make sure to visit these stunning Long Island lighthouses or Long Island boardwalks that are ideal for a family stroll.

Mini-Golf Courses on Long Island: 22 to Visit for Family Fun

Enjoy a pair of  mini-golf courses at Eisenhower Park in Nassau County. Photo by the author

Mini-golf courses on Long Island may be miniature in size, but they deliver outsize fun. So stop putter-ing around and get on the green.

Miniature golf is one of those outings the entire family can enjoy. Some venues are part of larger amusement parks on Long Island that also offer kid-friendly fun such as arcades. Others are situated in county or state parks or beaches you may already be planning to check out this summer. Whatever the location, these courses offer a wonderful day or night of fun on the cheap.

If your family is ready to graduate to more advanced golf experiences, check out these par-3 golf courses on Long Island where kids can learn the game. Are you looking for other ideas for active family fun? Take a look at our rundowns on biking with the fam and hitting local hiking trails.

You can find more great things to do in the warmer months in our Summer Fun Guide, and be sure to bookmark our frequently-updated Long Island Family Activity Calendar

Newbridge Road Park Installs New Playground

Enjoy the newly installed playground at Newbridge Road Park. Photo by Danielle Tienauchariya

The playground area of Newbridge Road Park in Bellmore has been upgraded, adding overdue updates to the first section of the park that greets visitors. A colorful new climbing structure was added in late spring and has been attracting everyone from toddlers to tweens since.

For more info on local outdoor play spaces, check out our rundown of Long Island's top playgrounds. Find more great outdoorsy things to do in our Summer Fun Guide, and be sure to bookmark our frequently-updated Long Island Family Activity Calendar

Playland Amusement Park Brings New Rides and Amenities to the Classic Family Destination

Now operating under new ownership, Playland has preserved its rich history and charm while serving up new attractions and amenities.

Playland in Rye, New York has been a go-to amusement park for NYC families since 1928. Now operating under new ownership, the picturesque 280-acre park has preserved its rich early 20th century history and charm while serving up modern-day attractions and amenities. From exhilarating new rides great for teens and tweens to fun kiddie rides and new amenities like fancy family-friendly restrooms, it was time to revisit the renovated and restored Westchester gem.

My family headed out to Playland to see what was new and whether it still held the nostalgic fun I remembered. We arrived to sweet picket fences, brightly blooming flowers, lush lawns, and Art Deco buildings really set the scene, and loads of thrilling rides, carnival games, and concession stands made it a day to remember. Below, I’m breaking down some of our favorite attractions, and sharing tips for visiting the park.

Plan a Summer Day at Jones Beach with Kids: Top Things To See and Do

Enjoy the sand and surf at Jones Beach in Nassau County. Photo courtesy of New York State Parks

A trip to Jones Beach with kids means experiencing the jewel of Long Island state parks. And with a whopping 6 million visitors each year, it’s the second most-visited state park in New York State after Niagara Falls.

Many New Yorkers have fond memories of spending time at Jones Beach with family and friends, walking the boardwalk, taking in a concert, or simply enjoying the surf and sand. A visit to this beach feels like being on vacation. It’s so much more than a beach, and we’ve got the rundown on what to do, see, play, and eat at Jones Beach so that you get the most out of your visit.

For other open-air cultural offerings, check out our rundown of the best beaches, pools, and lakes in the area, and bookmark our comprehensive Guide to Summer Activities.

Pages