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.

When the weather is cold on Long Island, enjoying a warm cup of tea with your favorite little person is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

From sampling a variety of tea flavors to tasting yummy miniature sandwiches and scones, these Long Island tea rooms offer a warm welcome in an elegant setting just in time for Hot Tea Month in January.

For more delicious fun with your little ones, check out our list of the best Long Island brunch destinations for families, or treat yourself to our roundup of the Island's most decadent dessert spots. 

Through the magic of fairies, your car shrinks down to the size of a ladybug to experience the dazzling lantern displays of  A Bug's Night: Drive-Thru Adventure. Travel through 20 acres of spectacular lights, mapped projections, and animatronics at the Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn. Bugs are only part of this whimsical experience. 

A Bug's Night: Drive-Thru Adventure is one of three lantern shows debuting on Long Island this season, and is the only drive-thru lantern experience. For other holiday light drive-thrus and displays, check out our Holiday Fun Guide. 

The brand new Shimmering Solstice walk-through, outdoor light show at Old Westbury Gardens boasts features that you don't see during its regular season. Instead of roses, visitors can view the lush, sprawling grounds blooming in holiday lights this season. The entirely outdoor experience is a stunning alternative to drive-thru holiday light shows. Read on for a preview of what to expect during your visit, then find more ways to mark the season in our Holiday Guide for Long Island Families.