The Long Island Aquarium has opened a massive treehouse-like outdoor exhibit overlooking the bucolic Peconic River. The Eye Opener stands 60 feet tall and has five levels for visitors to explore. With a new seal pup and penguin chick, added animal encounters and more, Long Island's only aquarium is seeking to engage new and returning guests with innovative and engaging exhibits and activities.

Check our articles on petting zoos and nature centers for more local animal fun.

While East Hampton is known for its ideal summer weather, beautiful beaches, and outdoor activities, it's also home to LongHouse Reserve, one of my favorite outdoor sculpture parks.

LongHouse is an outdoor art museum surrounded by beautiful gardens and lush plants and trees. My kids and I love spending a few hours admiring the art while being surrounded by such natural beauty. It's definitely worth a visit if you're in the East End or merely interested in outdoor roadside art.

Read on to learn more about LongHouse and what you need to know before you go. 

Coding, or the act of telling a computer what you want it to do, is exploding in popularity. While it may seem like a complicated endeavor, many local venues now offer coding classes for kids on Long Island.

Learning coding skills is a win-win for families. Kids can use their creativity and the latest tech to create their own video games. Parents can appreciate the STEM skills they're building, plus life skills like problem-solving that come from breaking down complex problems into smaller tasks. We've found eight local orgs that offer coding classes for kids, with a mix of virtual and in-person classes.

Find more enrichment activities in our guide to Classes and Activities for Long Island Kids.

Horseback riding lessons on Long Island offer kids a unique way to learn an exciting lifelong skill, gain confidence, and have a lot of fun. From pony rides for little ones to weekly lessons and trail rides for older kids, Long Island stables and equestrian centers have various options for beginners to advanced riders. 

Animal-loving kids will have a chance to bond with a beautiful horse or pony and learn how to care for and communicate with their new friends. Kids should dress appropriately for riding lessons. Boots are preferred, and some stables provide helmets at the lessons, while others require you to bring your own.

Read on for our list of the best stables and equestrian centers across Long Island for horseback riding lessons kids will love. For more active adventures, check out our guide to Long Island Family Fun.

The days are long, but the years are short. Before you know it, it’s time for your little one to spread his or her wings and head off to preschool.

There are many preschool options on Long Island and choices can be overwhelming. But if you’ve decided a Montessori preschool is a good fit for your child, we’ve put together a list of 10 options to get you started on a search.

For the uninitiated, Montessori is an educational philosophy developed more than a century ago that encourages kids to be independent and learn at their own pace. Typically students are grouped by ability rather than age, classrooms are outfitted with specific learning materials, and specially trained teachers act as observers and facilitators.  

Whether your little one's first year flew by or felt like an eternity of sleepless nights, a first birthday is a cause for celebration. So go all out and book that cake smash photo shoot or keep it low key with a few close friends and family members. Just like the first time you held your baby, a first birthday party should be a joyous occasion, filled with games, goodies, music, and age-appropriate fun.

While planning can seem daunting, it doesn't have to be. Across Long Island, there are several venues that can make your child's first birthday an occasion to be remembered, providing everything from staff to food, so you can spend time with your family and friends. Our birthday spot picks makes it easy for you and fun for your guests. 

For more birthday party planinginspiration, check out our Birthday Party Guide for Long Island Kids.

You know what else a birthday needs? Gifts! Get tried-and-tested favorite gift suggestions the Best First Birthday Gifts, and more in our Guide to Top Toys and Gear for Kids.