Sports

Bounce Houses and Trampoline Parks for Long Island Kids

Submitted by Lisa Mancuso on Thu, 08/16/2018 - 12:18pm

If you find your high-energy kids are bouncing off the walls, it might be time to head to one of the many bounce houses and trampoline parks on Long Island.

From inflatable slides to obstacle courses and high-flying trampolines, these play spaces are great ways for kids to work off their energy and have some indoor fun when it’s too hot, cold, or wet to play outdoors. Whether you’re looking for an impromptu bouncing session or want to schedule a birthday party, most of these venues offer a variety of play options. Just be sure to check out their websites for all the specifics.

The sky might be the limit at these venues, but be advised that most of them require socks and some require completed parental waivers before participating.

Free and Cheap After-school Classes and Programs for LA Kids

Submitted by Roberta B on Tue, 08/14/2018 - 3:25pm

Back-to-school season is also back-to-after-school season, when families look for enriching and fun programs for their children. Options for arts, sports, and other recreational classes for kids in the LA area are numerous and varied—lucky us!—but many are tough to manage on a budget. The good news is there are also several free and cheap ways to engage students’ minds and bodies in the hours after school lets out.

Super Skate Parks for Long Island Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Thu, 08/09/2018 - 6:00am

If your adventuresome little skater dude or gal likes to carve and ollie, turning your furniture and household items into a skating playground, then this post is for you.

Take them instead to one of these skate parks across Long Island, where roller skaters, bladers, skateboarders, trick bikers, and more can show off their stunts, fully padded and protected of course. Note: Most of these facilities are skate at your own risk and require parental waivers for skaters 16 and younger. Check requirements before heading out.

And for more fun in the area, check out our list of great g o-kart and slot-car destinations on Long Island, and be sure to check out our Long Island Events Calendar.

Game On: 8 Soccer Classes for NYC Kids

Submitted by Yuliya Geikhman on Wed, 08/01/2018 - 10:30am

We've rounded up all the best NYC soccer programs for budding kid athletes, from preschoolers just learning to kick that checkered orb, to middle-schoolers ready to master the roll and step over dribble.

Kids' soccer is a year-round sport in NYC: You can get your kids into the game through a day camp over the summer, at drop-in classes throughout the year, or by participating in a season-long program with one of the youth soccer organizations listed below. Bonus: Many of these places also offer soccer-themed birthday parties.

Read on for eight spots offering soccer sessions to NYC kids. You can find even more options in our NYC Directory and our NYC Classes and Enrichment Programs Guide.

Fishing on Long Island: Where to Drop a Line with Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 07/27/2018 - 11:30am

Ready to teach your little one how to cast a line? Fishing is 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 in a number of waterfront communities, beaches, local piers, boats, and parks. We've rounded up a few of our favorite family-friendly fishing venues where you can test your skills and perhaps hook the catch of the day.

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

8 Laser Tag Places for Kids on Long Island

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 07/20/2018 - 10:20am

Tag, you're it.

The old-school game of tag has evolved to include lasers. You now can tell the kids to take the sibling rivalry into the arena. This competition-style game engages players both physically and mentally as they strategically attempt to tag the opposing team while not getting tagged themselves. But think fast … or tag, you're OUT.

There are some great spots to play laser tag in Nassau and Suffolk counties, so get ready to think on your feet and have some fun. And when the sun is shining, we've even included a spot where you can play outdoor laser tag. Many of these facilities offer other attractions such as go-karts, mini-golf, arcades, bowling, rides, and more to get the whole family playing together.

For more ways to have fun indoors, check out our guide to indoor play spaces. There's always something great to do for families on Long Island and we've got the info you need at our events calendar.

15 Parent and Me Swim Classes To Keep LA & OC Babies and Toddlers Afloat

Submitted by Martha Hall on Sun, 07/15/2018 - 6:22pm

Kids dig water, and the younger we start them in it, the earlier they build the skills needed to swim confidently and safely. Mommy and Me – or Daddy and Me – classes are a fun and bonding introduction to a lifelong love of swimming. And lucky for us and our tots, there are classes galore all around the Southland. We know some Great Private Swim Classes for LA Kids, but the classes below are all about taking the plunge alongside your wee one. Dive into our extensive list of area Mommy or Daddy and Me classes.

30 Best Things To Do with Tweens in New Jersey

Submitted by Dore Duhaime on Sun, 07/15/2018 - 10:00am

Your tweens may be too big for bouncy houses and tea parties, yet too young for solo outings with friends. But they still love family fun (even if they won't always admit it). To keep those in-betweeners happy and engaged, find an activity that sparks their curiosity or stretches their growing limbs. When a trip to your local playground is met with eye-rolling instead of cheering, it's time to check out these amazing activities for older kids in New Jersey. The good news? You may genuinely enjoy competing with your tween in bowling and mini golf, tackling the fast slides at a water park, or seeing a play or concert together. Read on for 30 ideas that are cool enough for big kids.