Long Island

Best Spring Festivals on Long Island for Families

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 03/29/2024 - 9:07am

Close to 500,000 tulips and other spring bulbs will bloom at Waterdrinker Family Farm & Garden. Photo by @nics photography

Spring is in the air on Long Island, and local destinations are ready to celebrate the change of seasons with family-friendly spring festivals and street fairs.

These seasonal festivals make for fun outings in the great outdoors with kid-friendly crafts and activities, and they're held in honor of everything from blooms and blossoms to mothers, fathers, and more.

Find more fun ways to welcome the most colorful season in our Guide to Long Island Spring Activities.

Easter Weekend 2024 on Long Island: Egg Hunts, The Descendants, and More Things To Do on LI

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 03/29/2024 - 8:36am

Explore a farm with the Easter Bunny at Waterdrinker Farm this weekend. Photo courtesy of the farm

Looking for the best things to do on Long Island this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this Easter weekend.

Experience a twist on the traditional Easter egg hunt as Waterdrinker Family Farm in Manorville hides a giant golden egg in the field every hour. Or march along Main Street in Port Jefferson with the Easter Bunny. Plus, the Descendants take over the Smithtown Performing Arts Center stage.

If your kids are on spring break this week, be sure to bookmark this long list of fun things to do with kids on vacation!

Best Drama Summer Camps on Long Island for Kids

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Sun, 03/24/2024 - 9:15am

Immerse yourself in the world of acting this summer with Stage to Screen's Summer Intensives in Huntington. Photo by Andy Levenberg

Summer camps focused on the performing arts are a great way for kids to build confidence while having fun, and Long Island has some terrific ones to choose from. These camps not only build confidence in children but can also improve verbal skills.

We've compiled this list of Long Island camps with performing arts programming for you and your budding thespian. Be sure to check out our Long Island Summer Camp Guide for a comprehensive look at camps in the area.

27 Spring Staycations and Day Trips from Long Island for Families

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 03/22/2024 - 10:09am

Get off Long Island and explore Governors Island.

We've found 27 ideas for a spring day trip from Long Island, a perfect time to escape now that the weather is warming up and we have more daylight hours to work with.

Living on Long Island, we’re lucky to have amazing parks, attractions, and quaint seaside towns for springtime day trips. We’re also lucky to be within driving or ferry distance of New York City, Connecticut, and New Jersey.

Find more inspiration in our Long Island Spring Fun Guide and our Day Trips and Getaways Guide.

Adventureland Debuts New Rides and Announces Multi-Year Expansion

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Thu, 03/21/2024 - 1:27pm

The thrilling Moon Chaser spins, twists, dips, and inverts riders at heights up to 45 feet in the air.

Long Island's favorite amusement park Adventureland delivered big news ahead of its 2024 season by announcing new rides and a multi-year, multi-million dollar expansion plan.

Boasting a variety of thrill, kiddie, and water rides—plus arcade and carnival-style games, this action-packed park is an all-ages pleaser. Get a sneak peek at the plans below, and bookmark our Long Island Amusement Park and Water Park Guide for more attractions nearby.

Spring Break 2024: 25 Fun Things To Do on Long Island

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Sun, 03/17/2024 - 6:25am

Go off-trail at one of Long Island’s many parks and preserves. Photo by Gina Massaro

Spring break 2024 is on the horizon, so we've scoured Long Island for ideas to keep your family entertained and engaged during the vacation. We've rounded up lots of outdoor activities and also prepared for April showers with indoor options.

Most Long Island schoolkids are on break a few times throughout March and April. Some of our picks take place on specific days, and others are anytime activities. You can find more seasonal fun in our Guide to Spring Activities on Long Island.

Hicks Nurseries Blooms as a Family-Friendly Destination in Every Season

Submitted by Jennifer Voit on Fri, 03/15/2024 - 10:22am

Hicks Nursery offers visitors an early glimpse of spring, when its indoor gardens get decked out in brilliant ant colors each March.

A visit to Hicks Nurseries in Westbury is a fun-filled way to kick off the change of seasons with kids. The sixth-generation, family-owned garden mecca is Long Island’s largest nursery and garden center. It has also become a must-visit spot many families return to year after year. The team at Hicks Nurseries creates unique seasonal experiences kids will fall in love with.

Adventures for the kids include everything from its current spring Flower and Garden Show to its family-friendly Fall Festival and jolly Santa visits each winter. Read on for all the family-friendly event details you need to plan a visit to this local institution, which ranks at No. 53 on our list of 100 FREE things to do on Long Island with kids.