Samanea New York in Westbury is about to overhaul its look with tenants such as The Gravity Vault and Empire Adventure Park signing 10-year leases to transform this space into an entertainment hub.

For more thrill-seeking fun, check out our list of obstacle courses, rock walls, and ninja warrior walls. Find more local Long Island play spaces in our Kids' Sports Centers Guide or Indoor Play Spaces Guide.

Long Island has a diverse population that is quickly growing, and the business community reflects that. There are many Black-owned businesses on Long Island that are kid-friendly.

So whether you are headed out to a family-friendly restaurant, looking for a sweet treat, want some culture, or just want to celebrate, there is a Black-owned business on Long Island to help. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of Black-owned restaurants, bakeries, and other companies you and your children will love.

With travel perhaps limited this winter, it's harder to find a place for kids to dip their feet in the pool. Sure, you can plan an outing to one of these family-friendly water parks nearby, but why not stay home and visit one of the many indoor swimming pools Long Island has to offer?

We’ve rounded up some of the most affordable and family-friendly indoor pools across Long Island. Some are open to community or town residents, while others welcome nonresidents. Many offer swimming lessons, too. So read on for our picks for family-friendly indoor pools across Long Island, and find more wet and wild fun in our Guide to Beaches, Pools, and Water Play. 

With so many options on Long Island, choosing a preschool for your toddler can be daunting. To help get you started, we’ve put together a list of 10 schools in Nassau County that are definitely worth checking out.

And while doing your homework includes gathering all the information you can and perusing websites, taking your child to visit a school is probably the best way to determine its fit. Most schools have tours and open houses, so don’t hesitate to take advantage of these offerings, though many may be virtual at the moment.

For more help with your school search, take a look at our complete guide to Long Island preschools. And check out our listing of Montessori preschools if you decide to explore that option for your child.

Unlike the other cards in your wallet, your Long Island library card doesn't come with fees or payment due dates. It does, however, come with a list of very cool, very FREE perks on Long Island for the whole family, and we’re not just talking books.

Access to free museum passes from your Long Island library is a huge perk for families, and one not everyone knows about: We are here to spread the word. In addition, your Long Island library card gets you access to a variety of other freebies that can entertain the whole family, from toddlers to tweens and teens.

Take a look at our list of museums from which you can score free passes and our roundup of other cool perks available at libraries in Nassau and Suffolk counties and on the East End. For more details, check individual library websites. And see our seasonal fun guide and events calendar for more ways to keep your family busy this winter.

Raise your hand if you’re a fan of doughnuts, ice cream, coffee, or cookie dough. Well, have we got a place for you. A dessert shop has opened in Huntington Village that allows customers to combine these sweet treats into mouth-watering creations. Sundae Donuts has something for everyone and is not to be missed. 

For more sweet treats, see our rundown of LI's best ice cream parlors and candy stores.

We said goodbye to the horrible year of 2020 with the promise of renewal, recovery, and a return to normalcy in 2021. And on Long Island, that was more or less what we got. At least until the last few weeks.

Learning to cope with COVID-19, we managed to entertain our kids with trips to the beach, outdoor activities, and the occasional visit to the play space. And as new entertainment venues opened in 2021, we were there with our parent-strong team of local writers to give you the official Mommy Poppins take on these openings.