Long Island

Weekend Fun: Maritime Fest, Museum Day, Bull Riding

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Wed, 09/20/2017 - 4:05pm

Professional bull riders buck into Long Island this weekend, providing extreme sport and fun for attendees. Otherwise, set sail for the Maritime Festival in Greenport. Or hit up a host og Long Island museums for FREE admission during the Smithsonian Museum's Day Live.

Our Event Calendar is loaded with fun, daily happenings for Long Island kids. And our September GoList offers up fun, family events for the entire month.

Don't forget to check out our local DEALS page, where you can score discounts on camps, classes, birthday party packages, and more for LI kids. Check back often as we're regularly adding more.

Also, it's time for our annual Besties balloting, and we want to hear from you. Weigh in on the best of Long Island at our voting page here. Your vote makes you eligible to win one of a number of prizes. See the prizes available here, and vote before it's too late.

Corn Mazes and Fall Farm Fun for Long Island Kids

Submitted by Thien August on Tue, 09/19/2017 - 3:20pm

Fall on Long Island means cooler weather and shorter days, but it also means fun seasonal activities such as hayrides and corn mazes. Whether you make it a race or plan your route strategically, corn mazes are fun for the whole family and they don’t always have to be scary. Many mazes and hayrides are available during the day, so even the youngest family members can enjoy these seasonal outdoor activities.

Call venues ahead of time to be sure they are open, especially if the weather is bad or if there has been a storm. Wearing boots or comfortable shoes is a good idea as the fields can be uneven and potentially wet. For more seasonal fun, check out our list of fall fairs and festivals and the best farms for apple picking.

New LICM4All App Helps Families Enjoy The Long Island Children's Museum Even More

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Mon, 09/18/2017 - 11:00am

The Long Island Children's Museum gets it: under the best circumstances, it takes planning to pull off a great outing with kids; if your child has special needs, even more so. That's why we think their new smartphone app isn't just smart, it's brilliant.

Designed specifically to support children with neurodiversities and physical challenges, the free LICM4all app aims to take the guesswork out of planning a visit to the museum. Before the trip, families can download the app from either the App Store or Google Play and create a totally customized schedule based on their interests, as well as their needs. Short videos offer a sneak peek into current exhibitions, while also showing kids what to expect — like that they may get a little messy at the Bubbles exhibit, or that they might have to wait their turn at the TotSpot. Meanwhile, the color-coded, sensory-friendly museum map identifies galleries that are quieter or louder, and a list of tips provides parents with helpful details on accessible parking, restrooms, service animals, and more.

Weekday Events: Fall Fest, Music, and Movies

Submitted by Felissa Allard on Sun, 09/17/2017 - 12:00pm

On Friday, the calendar turns officially from summer to fall. So this week it’s time to start enjoying the autumn adventures we love best, including apple picking and a fall festival.

Celebrate Hispanic heritage at the Long Island Children's museum or make an emoji bag at a DIY workshop this week.

School closed for Rosh Hashanah? Try a day trip to a cute Long Island town, marina, or another attraction like a petting zoo or nature center.

Remember to check out our Fall Fun Guide, as well as our fall fairs and festivals roundup to know what’s going on all over Long Island this autumn. Our September GoList is loaded with fun things to do through the end of the month, so check in if you're in need of ideas.

And now on to the main event—our picks for the best in weekday fun.

Nature Centers Sure to Delight Long Island Kids

Submitted by Thien August on Fri, 09/15/2017 - 1:15pm

Long Island has an abundance of natural parklands and beautiful waterways to explore. Many of these destinations offer indoor and outdoor nature-based activities for children and their caregivers. So we've compiled this directory of nature centers with all the information you'll need for a fun family outing celebrating the great outdoors in Nassau, Suffolk, and the East End.

Looking for more ways to experience nature? Take a look at our list of family-friendly hiking trails and great bikes trails for Long Island families.

Things to Do in Southold Village With Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Thu, 09/14/2017 - 2:42pm

A trip to the North Fork offers vast opportunities. From nature explorers to foodie indulgers and self-proclaimed sommeliers, the village of Southold is hot, hip, and happening.

Located in the heart of Long Island wine country, the village of Southold is the seat of government for Southold Town. But there is much more to it than that. In Southold, you can enjoy beaches, museums, nature centers, family-friendly eateries, fall festivals, and then some.

Looking for more North Fork fun? Head east one village for must-try spots in Greenport. Staying over? Hop a ferry to Shelter Island and explore. And on the way home, check out the North Fork's gateway town, Riverhead.

Rad Women and Civil Rights Heroes: Children's Books for Right Now

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 09/14/2017 - 11:03am

By Gwen Glazer, recommendations librarian in the Readers Services unit of the New York Public Library.

Fred Rogers’ famous advice to "always look for the helpers" has never seemed more important. In the wake of recent events in Charlottesville and beyond, parents may be looking for ways to engage their children with the social justice efforts—and also to talk about positive examples of activism and leadership.

We put together a list of 13 books for a wide range of children, from picture books for toddlers to nonfiction series for middle schoolers. These books address some of the most familiar human- and civil-rights leaders, like Malala and Gandhi, as well as some lesser-known activists who deserve more attention. All of them inspired others to create change in the world around them.

Weekend Fun: Kites, Dragon Boats, Pirate Festival

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Wed, 09/13/2017 - 4:20pm

The Long Island Children's Museum reopens after its annual two-week fixup with the traveling exhibit Heart & Seoul: Growing Up in Korea. You can also spend Saturday Mary Poppins-style at the Kite Festival in West Sayville, or watch colorful Port Jefferson Harbor come alive at the annual Dragon Boat Race Festival.

Celebrate the season with the Fall Festival at Hicks Nurseries, at the Long Island Garlic Festival, or perhaps a local vineyard. Apple picking is also in full swing. Check out these parks for an easy family hike, or head over to our Fall Fun Guide for more seasonal options.

Our Event Calendar is loaded with fun, daily happenings for Long Island kids. And our September GoList offers up fun, family events for the entire month.

Don't forget to check out our local DEALS page, where you can score discounts on camps, classes, birthday party packages, and more for LI kids. Check back often as we're constantly adding more.

Obstacle Courses, Climbing Walls and Ninja Classes for LI Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Tue, 09/12/2017 - 1:25pm

Are your kids using the couch as a jumping-off point for back flips? There are several spots in Nassau and Suffolk counties that offer obstacle training, where your little ninja can test his or her balance, vaulting, tumbling and more. Let the little daredevils try out these indoor courses while keeping your walls scuff mark free.

In the meantime, check out our roundup of b irthday party venues for active kids. For more indoor fun, especially for toddlers, see our list of the best indoor play spaces on Long Island.

Weekday Events: Street Fair, Apple Season, Movies

Submitted by Felissa Allard on Sun, 09/10/2017 - 7:14pm

Backpacks, books, and buses, oh my! School is back in session across Long Island. But the fun doesn't stop just because classes have started.

There’s still plenty to do both outside and in. From apple picking to fall fairs and festivals, Long Island is hopping this second week of September. Remember to check out our September GoList and our Fall Fun Guide for the best in seasonal family entertainment.