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Bounce Houses and More Cool Birthday Party Rentals on Long Island
Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on
When it comes to at-home birthday parties on Long Island, bounce house rentals and gaming trucks have seemingly cornered the market for a while now. Over the last few years, entertainment companies have tailored their experiences to become mobile. From culinary concoctions to crafty creations, these Long Island companies bring the party to you.
For more birthday party ideas, check out our Guide to Birthday Parties on Long Island, which includes a list of birthday party entertainers on Long Island that come to you.
Family-Friendly Waterfront Restaurants on Long Island
Submitted by Gina Massaro on
Long Island's waterfront restaurants offer the refuge of an ocean breeze, a delightful view, and fantastic meals. Lucky for us Long Islanders, many area restaurants are nestled right on the water. There's no better way to start or end the day with the family than with a delicious meal right on the water.
Below, we've rounded up Long Island's top waterfront restaurants in Nassau, Suffolk, and of course, the East End. A delectable, waterfront meal is only miles away.
Find our roundup of Long Island's best restaurants with entertainment for kids and more dining ideas in our Long Island Kid-Friendly Restaurant Guide.
100 Things To Do on Long Island Before Kids Grow Up
Submitted by James Smith on
Check out these iconic things to do in Long Island with kids—including attractions, events, activities, museums, and more—that everyone growing up in the area really must experience!
We are fortunate in so many ways to live on Long Island. In what other region of the country can you pack your kids up for a morning train ride to Manhattan, then whisk them off later to one of the Hamptons’ most enviable beaches?
From Nassau County to Suffolk County and all the way to the East End, Long Island has creative play spaces, wonderful children's museums, farmstands ripe with flavor, great parks and playgrounds, over-the-top seasonal celebrations, and even amusement and water park fun. And that’s just the beginning.
With four seasons' worth of fun in our backyard, how do you pick 100 activities every family on Long Island must experience? Well, it’s not scientific. We have no algorithms to determine them for us. Instead, we rely on you, our Mommy Poppins Long Island enthusiasts, as well as our parent-strong team of local writers, to keep us informed. So let's not belabor this introduction; here is our childhood bucket list for Long Island kids.
White Post Farms' New Giraffe Feeding Encounter
Submitted by Gina Massaro on
Travel with the family to the African grasslands without leaving Long Island with a visit to the all-new giraffe encounter experience at White Post Farms in Melville. Pose for selfies, pet the giraffes, and maybe even get a kiss from a long-necked cutie. Read on for details about how to get to know one of the tallest animals in the world.
For more fun with animals, check out our Guide to Long Island Zoos and Gardens, which includes our list of Long Island's best petting zoos.
Heat Wave Hot List: 26 Cool Things To Do on Long Island with Kids
Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on
Looking for ways to beat the heat on Long Island? Here are 26 awesome things to do during a heat wave.
Deep summer usually brings high temps and plenty of humidity, leaving Long Island families scrambling to find ways to cool off. Whether you want to bask in the sunshine or chill in central AC, there are plenty of options in both Nassau and Suffolk counties to help you beat the heat—and all are guaranteed fun for every age. After all, you want to enjoy every bit of summer before school begins.
Find more great outdoorsy things to do in our Ultimate Long Island Kids Summer Vacation Guide, and be sure to bookmark our frequently-updated Long Island Family Activity Calendar.
Lavender By the Bay Immerses Visitors in Acres of Fragrant Blooms
Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on
Long Island's Lavender By the Bay lavender farms offer a stunning and serene experience—not to mention fantastic photo ops and a great summer day trip. Lavender By the Bay has two North Fork locations, Calverton and East Marion, and both are an oasis of delicious-smelling flowering plants in early summer.
Both lavender farms offer more than 20 varieties of lavender in shades ranging from white to pale blue, pink, and, of course, purple.
Check out our Guide to Visiting the Hamptons and North Fork for more things to do in the area, and be sure to bookmark our Ultimate Long Island Kids Summer Vacation Guide for tons of seasonal family fun.
Best Blueberry Picking Farms on Long Island for Families
Submitted by Thien August on
The best blueberry picking farms on Long Island offer a great activity for kids of all ages: Bushes are low to the ground, berries are small enough for little fingers to grasp, and who can resist a bowl of fresh berries and cream?
July is the peak season for blueberries and raspberries, while blackberries ripen in August. If you're in the market for some farm-fresh berries, call the farms before heading out to confirm picking hours and berry availability. Don't forget to check out our Pick-Your-Own Guide to Farms Near New York City for more fruit-picking options and farm fun in the tri-state area, and bookmark our Ultimate Long Island Kids Summer Vacation Guide for tons of other things to do this season.
Best Campgrounds for Glamping and Cabin Camping on Long Island
Submitted by Gina Massaro on
Glamping sites and campgrounds with cabins on Long Island offer wonderful opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. From the beaches that line our shores, to our rivers, wetlands, and forests, there is an abundance of nature to become one with on Long Island–and you don't need a sleeping bag or tent to do it.
Here is our list of the top glamping campgrounds on Long Island. Some locations have cabin rentals, while others offer RV and camper hookups.
Check out our list of the 18 Best Places to Go Camping on Long Island with Kids for more great camping ideas.
