Looking for the best breakfast restaurants on Long Island? Read on for our top picks. 

Many say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but why not take it easy and leave the cooking to someone else? The Long Island restaurant scene is full of fun diners and restaurants with extensive morning menus and many kid-friendly options.

Since little ones are often early risers, it’s a no-brainer. Get the family together and check out these family-friendly restaurants that are sure to please.

Find our post on the best Long Island brunch spots and other family-friendly restaurant ideas in our Long Island Kid-Friendly Restaurant Guide. 

Indoor playgrounds on Long Island often cater to little kids, but Xplore Family Fun Center in Commack is upping the ante for action-packed all-ages fun with the addition of glow-in-the-dark go-karts. Suffolk County speed demons can now rev their engines at this local indoor entertainment zone that opened a few years ago. 

Xplore, which already offered laser tag, arcade games, inflatables, soft climbing indoor playgrounds, and a toddler zone, has now debuted its glow-in-the-dark go-karting attraction. On a recent visit, my group of tweens was delighted by the glo-karts and everything else Xplore's indoor playground had to offer. 

For similar fun zones, check out our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces on Long Island, where we've rounded up FREE indoor play spaces, Long Island's best bowling alleys, and more.

Few places offer as many things to do as Long Island. In what other region of the country, for example, can you treat your kids to a morning museum visit in Nassau County, then whisk them off later to one of the most talked-about beaches in the Hamptons?

For the record, yours truly is a Long Island native with roots on the East End. I’ve lived in all three sections of Long Island before settling in central Suffolk, where I am raising my kids. Much as I struggle with the winter snowstorms, summer humidity, Long Island Rail Road delays, and seemingly endless parkway traffic, I’d never live anywhere else. 

No, you won’t suffer from a shortage of things to do here, and I've put together a 3-day itinerary showcasing some of the area's riches, which include pro sports, state parks, seasonal celebrations, amusement parks, farm fun, and plenty more. And if you like sand on your toes, Long Island has some of the finest and most kid-friendly beaches in the Northeast. So the plan here is to introduce you to a number of must-do things when visiting Long Island.

Long Island's many awesome indoor ice skating rinks are a great place to take spirited toddlers, school kids, and teens during winter. This roundup of the best indoor rinks features information on open-skate times, group and private lessons, birthday parties, and sports leagues. 

Most of these rinks offer skate rentals, and some are run by local municipalities that offer discounted fees for residents. Fees and times are accurate as of January 2023.

Of course, if your family prefers to do its skating outdoors, be sure to check out our guide to Long Island’s best outdoor rinks. For more seasonal fun, check out our mega winter fun list, which has dozens of ideas for cold-weather activities, and tons of other helpful posts in our Winter Activities Guide for Long Island Families. 

Looking for the best baby stores on Long Island? Read on for 10 of our top picks. 

There are few things more exciting than anticipating a baby bundle of joy, and shopping for that baby is also pretty fun. Whether you're a newly expecting parent, already a pro, or a friend or family member searching for the perfect baby gift, we've got you covered with the top baby stores on Long Island. You can find everything from an outfit to bring the baby home in, to his or her first lovey, and can even plan ahead for the big first birthday. 

For more great baby tips, check out our Long Island Baby Guide.

Winter is prime seal-watching season on Long Island, which makes it an exciting time for nature lovers. We're lucky enough to live in a place where we can catch glimpses of cute and friendly harbor and gray seals. 

So, bundle up, grab your binoculars and embark on an outdoor adventure: We've rounded up the best places to spot seals on Long Island.

While you're at it, bookmark our Winter Fun Guide for more seasonal entertainment ideas, or check out our Outdoor Activities Guide for Families on Long Island for more al fresco adventures.

Looking for the best coffee shops on Long Island? Read on for our top family-friendly picks. 

Coffee shops are so many things–gathering spots, places to work, or spaces to relax and get cozy. They are also great places to take the kids. 

With caffeine-free options and over-the-top sweet treats, many of the best coffee shops on Long Island now cater to little ones. So whether you need to fuel up for the day or want to unwind with a warm cup of joe, it’s time to grab the family and head to one of these local cafes that everyone will love.

Be sure to check out our rundown of Long Island restaurants where kids eat FREE and other food and beverage options in our Long Island Kid-Friendly Restaurant Guide. 

Looking for FREE things to do with babies without breaking the bank? There are plenty of destinations on Long Island that offer fun for all without a hefty price tag. Check out this list of local hot spots where babies ages 2 and younger are welcome for FREE.

Now, what to do with all the extra cash? Peep our list of top mommy-and-me baby classes on Long Island and check out our Indoor Activities Guide and our Long Island Free Things To Do with Kids Guide for more ideas.