The Magic of Lights Drive-Thru Returns to Jones Beach for 2021 Season

The Magic of Lights ushers in holiday spirit with gorgeous twinkling light displays. Photo by Emily Maw Hood

The luminescent holiday light show Magic of Lights returns to Jones Beach State Park this winter. Guests can enjoy holiday cheer from the comfort of their toasty cars as the spectacular display unfolds along a 2½-mile drive-thru route, illuminating the skies and bringing smiles to all those who visit.

Read on for all the details on this now-annual holiday favorite, plus tips on how to score early-bird pricing. There's also three other lantern shows to illuminate Long Island this holiday season. For more seasonal fun, check out our Long Island events calendar and Holiday Fun Guide.

Great Things to Do in Oyster Bay with Kids: History, Nature, and More

Rent a kayak from The Waterfront Center and explore Oyster Bay Harbor.

We enjoy spotlighting different communities around Long Island, giving folks a punch list for an engaging and entertaining day trip. Steeped in history, teeming with activity, and loaded with natural beauty, the hamlet of Oyster Bay is a true pearl of Long Island.

Whether you're a resident, or you're looking for something new to do on the Island, you'll find lots to do, see, and eat in Oyster Bay. Enjoy museums, restaurants, shopping, parks, gardens, nature preserves, and rich waterfront boasting jam-packed events and activities to keep families busy.  We have plenty of other day trip ideas and walkable downtown areas for you to visit as well.

Obstacle Courses, Rock Walls, and Ninja Warrior Training for LI Kids

Harness in for some fun at Bayville Adventure Park's Treetop Adventure.  Photo by the author

Are your kids doing backflips off of the couch? Climbing the bookshelves? Mattress sledding down the stairs? There are several spots in Nassau and Suffolk counties that offer obstacle training, where your little ninja can test his or her balance, vaulting, tumbling, and more. So go ahead and let that daredevil of yours try out one of these classes or courses that will keep your walls scuff mark-free.

There's much more outdoor entertainment on Long Island, and you can find even more adventurous fun in our rundowns of Long Island theme parks, arcades and other indoor play spaces. Or use items from around your home to build your own indoor obstacle course. Of course, sign up for our FREE newsletters to get posts like this delivered to your inbox.

The Long Island Game Farm's Wild Play Attraction Will Delight Animal-Loving Kids

You'll find plenty of lovable animals at the Long Island Game Farm's Wild Play Farm.

Home to more than 200 animals sprawled across 30 acres of land in Manorville, the Long Island Game Farm is entering its 50th year. A family-owned and operated business, this animal farm/petting zoo offers unique opportunities to get up close to rare animals. 

After you get your furry fix here, check out the other animal farms and petting zoos on Long Island 

Topgolf Brings Family Golf Fun to Long Island

Swing for the fences at Topgolf in Holtsville.

Long Island has finally joined the Dallas-based Topgolf family with a location in Holtsville. Topgolf, a tech-driven place with 102 climate-controlled bays, boasts a seasonal chef-driven menu, drinks, live music, and year-round programming in a three-story outdoor space. Kids can tee off for a digitized round of golf, and while a hole-in-one isn't guaranteed a visit full of excitement is!

Long Island has plenty more sports-centric fun zones for your competitive crew. Or try a round of mini golf instead!

Scale the Long Island Aquarium's New Treehouse Dubbed the Eye Opener

Challenge yourself on the rope bridge along the Eye Opener.

The Long Island Aquarium has opened a massive treehouse-like outdoor exhibit overlooking the bucolic Peconic River. The Eye Opener stands 60 feet tall and has five levels for visitors to explore. With a new seal pup and penguin chick, added animal encounters and more, Long Island's only aquarium is seeking to engage new and returning guests with innovative and engaging exhibits and activities.

Check our articles on petting zoos and nature centers for more local animal fun.

I.Fly Trapeze Offers High-Flying Fun

Channel your inner circus performer - if you dare.

Step right up to I.Fly Trapeze for some high-flying fun, where adults and kids can channel their inner Cirque du Soleil performer. The outdoor setup at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow boasts flying trapeze classes, circus camps, and performances.

There's much more outdoor entertainment on Long Island, and you can find even more adventurous fun in our rundowns of Long Island ninja coursestheme parks, and water parks. Of course, sign up for our FREE newsletters to get posts like this delivered to your inbox.

A Drive-thru Dino Safari Roars Onto Long Island

Dino Safari takes visitors on a prehistoric tour of more than 40 life-sized, moving dinosaurs in the parking lot at Deer Park's Tanger Outlets.

Start your engines and head to Deer Park's Tanger Outlets, where Dino Safari: A Drive-Thru Adventure has taken up temporary residence, unleashing more than 40 life-size predators. A trip down this prehistoric path is a roaring good fun for the whole family.

The budding paleontologists in your car will have plenty of giant moving dinosaurs to marvel at as you maneuver your mini-van through this Jurassic trail. Read on for our full review of the experience—and book tickets soon because it fades into extinction next month. Find more seasonal fun in our Summer Fun Guide.

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