Long Island

25 Fun Things to do in San Francisco with Kids

Submitted by Dore Duhaime on Sat, 08/18/2018 - 1:00pm

With its famously steep hills, iconic sights, and many kid-friendly attractions, San Francisco is chock full of family fun. Unique thrills like a ride on the clanging cable cars, a ferry trip across the bay to visit a fabled island prison, amazing experiential food spots are some of the only-in-San Francisco experiences that kids and adults will love. Hands-on museums, a bayside aquarium, and enormous parks round out the family fun.

Read on to discover our best bets for family fun on a trip to San Francisco. And for more Bay Area fun, check out our list of things to do in Silicon Valley with kids.

11 Perfect Fall Weekend Getaways Near NYC for Families

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Fri, 08/17/2018 - 3:01pm

Fall in the Northeast is a lovely time of year as the trees explode in a kaleidoscope of red, orange, and gold. The crisp air and outdoor activities are hard to resist for most kids (and grown-ups). New Yorkers can experience that magic right in the city's gorgeous parks, some of which feel almost like a countryside retreat during a foliage walk. But for a weekend away, perhaps over those fall school holidays, consider a weekend trip to fully immerse the family in fall fun.

We’ve rounded up 11 options, from a luxury retreat in Connecticut to glamping in New Hampshire to an Adirondack wilderness retreat where you can really unplug.

Bounce Houses and Trampoline Parks for Long Island Kids

Submitted by Lisa Mancuso on Thu, 08/16/2018 - 12:18pm

If you find your high-energy kids are bouncing off the walls, it might be time to head to one of the many bounce houses and trampoline parks on Long Island.

From inflatable slides to obstacle courses and high-flying trampolines, these play spaces are great ways for kids to work off their energy and have some indoor fun when it’s too hot, cold, or wet to play outdoors. Whether you’re looking for an impromptu bouncing session or want to schedule a birthday party, most of these venues offer a variety of play options. Just be sure to check out their websites for all the specifics.

The sky might be the limit at these venues, but be advised that most of them require socks and some require completed parental waivers before participating.

Weekend Fun: Lighthouse Celebration, Peach and Beach Fests

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Wed, 08/15/2018 - 1:10pm

Have a peachy keen time at the Harbes Family Farm Peach Festival this weekend. Visit Montauk Point Lighthouse for Colonial games, leather making and traditional pottery. Argghy mateys, some pirates might even make an appearance.

Make some waves at BeachFest at North Hempstead Town Park. Or watch some theater in the park at Planting Fields as the Wizard of Oz takes over the lawn. Visit The Whaling Museum during its Scrimshaw Week kickoff and create an inked scrimshaw keepsake box.

Explore outdoors at a boardwalk, beach, pool, sprinkler park, or perhaps cool off at a water park.

Visit our Summer Family Fun Guide and our August GoList for the best in seasonal entertainment, including day trip ideas and plenty of FREE events and activities. As always, our Event Calendar is loaded with fun, daily happenings for Long Island kids.

Centerport With Kids: Fun Things to Do in This Harborfront Community

Submitted by Rebekah Yahoves on Tue, 08/14/2018 - 1:40pm

If you, like many Long Islanders, are a fan of colorful drives through the region's tranquil roads, you have likely seen glimmers of blue-green beaches clapboard farm stands, and more between Huntington Village’s shops and Northport’s waterfront.

You might even have rambled through a community called Centerport, a mini-peninsula carving into the county and back out into Long Island Sound. While you might not have considered it as a day-trip destination, Centerport’s winsome waterfront, cultural attractions, and enticing eateries make it a wonderful place to visit with your family. It is also a great stop on your way to touring Port Jefferson or even the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead with your tiny travelers.

Vancouver With Kids: 30 Great Things To Do as a Family

Submitted by Thien August on Sat, 08/11/2018 - 1:20pm

One of Canada’s most ethnically diverse and densely populated cities, Vancouver, British Columbia is the crown jewel of the country's West Coast.

Less than an hour by car from the border with the United States, Vancouver is the gateway to the Pacific Rim and draws visitors from all over the world. It’s not just the city’s location that makes people flock there, but also the stunning backdrop of mountains, temperate weather, and world-class parks and amenities.

With the ocean and mountains within a short drive, Vancouver is a veritable outdoor playground. This cosmopolitan city is waiting for your next adventure. With a favorable exchange rate in Canadian dollars, free public parks, and an easy-to-navigate public transportation system, Vancouver offers great value and seemingly endless and unforgettable experiences.

Visiting Sunken Meadow State Park: Picnics, Playgrounds, Beaches

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Fri, 08/10/2018 - 12:00pm

A trip to Sunken Meadow State Park on the rocky, picturesque North Shore of Long Island can be whatever you want it to be.

There's a different feel to this beach than those on the South Shore. It's quieter, more relaxed, and less trafficked than Jones Beach or Robert Moses state parks. The Long Island Sound waters are calm and clear. Families with children of all ages line the shore with beach chairs and umbrellas.

Kids can enjoy watching the water rush over them as their feet dig into the sand. If excitement is what you're after, you'll find it at Sunken Meadow State Park, which boasts a little something for everyone.

Super Skate Parks for Long Island Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Thu, 08/09/2018 - 6:00am

If your adventuresome little skater dude or gal likes to carve and ollie, turning your furniture and household items into a skating playground, then this post is for you.

Take them instead to one of these skate parks across Long Island, where roller skaters, bladers, skateboarders, trick bikers, and more can show off their stunts, fully padded and protected of course. Note: Most of these facilities are skate at your own risk and require parental waivers for skaters 16 and younger. Check requirements before heading out.

And for more fun in the area, check out our list of great g o-kart and slot-car destinations on Long Island, and be sure to check out our Long Island Events Calendar.

Weekend Fun: Summerfest, Retro Gaming Expo, Kidz Bop

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Wed, 08/08/2018 - 1:45pm

Swing and sway at the Jones Beach theater this weekend as Kidz Bop Live lights up the stage. Go early to get wet and wild at the park's new splash pad. Stroll around Sayville during its annual Summerfest or get into retro mode at the Long Island Retro Gaming Expo.

Head outdoors to a boardwalk, beach, pools, sprinkler parks, or perhaps to cool off at a water park.

Great STEM Classes for Long Island Kids

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Tue, 08/07/2018 - 12:00pm

If science and technology are to develop, the world needs innovative minds to keep dreaming and creating.

STEM and STEAM programs emphasize science, technology, engineering, art, and math to develop the brains of the future, our kids. More schools, camps and museums across Long Island are offering classes and workshops with a focus on STEM education. Check out some of our favorite programs below.

Little engineers, rejoice.