Free Summer Sundays
Brookhaven National Lab
2 Center St., Upton
Sundays July 15–August 5 10am–3pm
631-344-2651
Brookhaven National Laboratory welcomes members of the public to its site for its free Summer Sundays program. Tour the world-class facilities, attend an array of dynamic science talks, and participate in special activities each week. All activities are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors age 16 and over must bring a photo ID. Click here for schedule of activities.

Long Island Live Steamers
Southaven County Park
Victory Ave., Brookhaven
Donations accepted.
10:30am–3pm
631-345-0499
The folks at Long Island Live Steamers welcome members of the public to their bimonthly Run Days held the second and last Sundays of the month from May through October. Run Days allow families to take a ride on a scale model train through a portion of Southaven Park. Although the ride is free, tickets are required and can be acquired at the ticket booth upon entering park. From the ticket booth, passengers decide to move to either the high line or ground line to wait for the next available train. Trains will loop the main line twice, negotiating switches and crossovers and you will see signals change as your train enters sections, possibly with another "local" waiting for your "express" to pass. Passengers will detrain at a model Jamaica Station. If you choose the high line you will enjoy an even more rural ride through the natural park land.  Visitors can arrive as early as 9:30am and watch steamers "steaming up," building their fires and the steam pressure needed to operate the trains. This is a great time for kids to ask the builders and engineers the many questions they may have about these very cool trains! Picnic tables available so pack a lunch and sit and enjoy watching the trains after your ride!

Hofstra University Museum 
Emily Lowe Hall, South Campus
Monday–Thursday 10am–5pm, Friday 10am–4pm, closed weekends.
Ages 4–9
516-463-5672

Sculpture Mystery: The Great Art Caper 
The Great Art Caper allows families to uncover clues to help solve a mystery in the outdoor sculpture collection on Hofstra University’s South Campus. Pick up your caper kit at Emily Lowe Gallery, have fun while discovering more about these works and at the end of the caper return to Emily Lowe Gallery for a prize.

Sculpture Exploration Backpacks 
The Hofstra University Museum's two distinct Sculpture Exploration Backpacks offer activity-filled ways for adults and children to explore together in the outdoor sculpture collection on the University's beautiful campus. One backpack focuses on sculptures of animals and one focuses on sculpture based on shapes. Stop in at the Hofstra University Museum's Emily Lowe Gallery, located on South Campus behind Emily Lowe Hall, and pick up a backpack. At the end of your tour, return the backpack and each child will receive a small gift from the Museum.

Hofstra University Museum
David Filderman Gallery
9th floor, Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library, South Campus
Monday–Saturday 9am–4pm, Sunday 12–4pm
516-463-5672 

Opportunity and Impact: The Great Art Caper
Pick up Great Art Caper materials while in the David Filderman Gallery to enjoy self-guided super-sleuthing. Search for the details in the works in the exhibit Opportunity and Impact: Works by Emigre Artists and use the clues to complete the story.

Holtsville Ecological Center 
249 Buckley Rd., Holtsville
Open daily 9am–4pm
All ages
631-758-9664, ext. 10
Holtsville Ecological Center is a great place to take the kids to visit mpre than 100 injured or nonreleasable wild and farm animals. Upon entering, families are greeted by some eager goats who will encourage you to dip into your bag for a few quarters to buy some goat feed from the vending machines. Hand-washing stations are available, as are public restrooms for washing up after goat feeding. A leisurely stroll through the well-kept, stroller-friendly grounds will reveal cows, ducks, donkeys, goats, llamas, ponies, a big pig, and even a black bear and a pair of bald eagles. Bring your camera because the kids will want a photo of their little faces poking through the large “photo-op” board where they will appear to be farmers or farm animals. Pack a picnic lunch to bring to picnic area and plan on a visit to the playground before heading for home.

Mommy & Me Mornings
Garden of Eve Organic Farm & Market
4558 Sound Ave., Riverhead
Tuesdays 10:30am–1:30pm
Children 10 and under
631-722-8777
Visit Garden of Eve in Riverhead on Tuesday mornings this summer for a free Mommy & Me Morning on the farm. Kids can feed animals, play in the flowers, and hang out in picnic area with other moms and kids, including farmer Eve and her two little ones. Circle time begins around 11am. R.S.V.P. to 631-722-8777 or farmer@gardenofevefarm.com

Port Jefferson Children's Shows
Port Jefferson Village Hall Outdoor Stage
121 West Broadway, Port Jefferson
All ages
631-473-4724
Port Jefferson will host several family-favorite shows every other Thursday this July and August on the outside stage at Village Hall. Performances begin at 6:30pm. Make a day trip to Port Jefferson Village and conclude the day with one of these kid-favorite shows. 
July 12 Johnny Peers and the Muttville Comix
July 26 Comedy with a Magic Touch
August 2 SlapDash Comedy with Ray & Erin Grins 
August 16 Katie's Puppets
August 30 Theatricks by Phil

Nature Explorium
Middle Country Library
101 Eastwood Blvd., Centerach
631-585-9393
Middle Country Library boasts the country's first outdoor Nature Explorium. The Nature Explorium gives kids a hands-on experience in the outdoors through fun and playful outdoor learning activities. Areas such as "Create it", "Dig it", "Plant it", "Climb it", and the ever-popular "Splash it" provide opportunities for children to get outside, get messy and learn through play, how fun it can be to explore and appreciate our natural world.  Wind down the kids with a good book in the "Read it" area and add a few more books to their Summer Reading list!  Click here for calendar of Nature Explorium's summer hours.