28 Things To Do on Long Island Before School Starts

Take a thrilling final run down the water slide at Splish Splash in Calverton. Photo courtesy of the park
Take a thrilling final run down the water slide at Splish Splash in Calverton. Photo courtesy of the park
7/28/23 - By Jaime Sumersille

Our end-of-summer bucket list for Long Island kids will help you fill the last few weeks of the season with engaging and entertaining fun.

We've rounded up more than two dozen of the best activities to do with kids on LI before they head back to school, from cooling off at water playgrounds and outdoor pools to enjoying pick-your-own flower farms or festivals and street fairs

For more of the best family events, browse our Ultimate Long Island Kids Summer Vacation Guide or our Beaches, Pools, and Water Playgrounds Guide for your last sticky summertime hurrah before school resumes. And our Event Calendar is loaded with fun, daily happenings for Long Island kids.

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An End-of-Summer Bucket List for Long Island Kids

1. Sprinkler Park

Hit the local splash pad one more time before the sprinklers are turned off for fall.

2. Adventureland

Visit Adventureland or test out the kiddie rides at the newly opened Legoland New York or another nearby theme park.

3. Outdoor Dining

Nosh outdoors at Long Island restaurants with great outdoor seating and enviable views, including these waterfront restaurants.

RELATED: The Best Beach Communities on LI That Aren't in the Hamptons

End of summer bucket list on Long Island Jones Beach
Hit the waves at Jones Beach, where the water temperature in August is at its highest. Photo by the author

4. The Beach

Hit the beach one more time. Swim and lounge in the summer sun. Jones Beach is an awesome, family-friendly destination with so much more than sand. 

5. Watch a Movie

Catch a movie under the stars at Jones Beach, Port Washington, or another park listed here.

6. The Center for Science Teaching and Learning

Visit the newly updated dinosaur exhibit at The Center for Science Teaching and Learning. When you are done, visit one of Rockville Centre's newest hot spots for kids.

7. Explore a New Community

Whether it's Lindenhurst, Huntington, Port Jefferson, or Garden City, family-friendly fun awaits. For an extra summery feel, stroll through these cute beach towns.

RELATEDThe Best Camping Destinations on LI for Families

End of summer bucket list on Long Island Fire Island ligthouse
Climb the Fire Island Lighthouse for an amazing view of the sea. Photo by the author

8. Visit a Lighthouse

Climb a lighthouse before the ocean gets too rough and the breeze too chilly. Enjoy a host of family-friendly activities during Lighthouse Weekend, August 5-6, 2023, at Montauk Point.

9. Long Island Children's Museum

Explore the seasonal Our Backyard exhibit at the Long Island Children's Museum while it's still warm outside. While you are there, check out the seasonal exhibit Loops and Hoops, which explores the science behind roller coasters.

10. Go Camping or Glamping

Enjoy the outdoors at these cool Long Island camping sites for a final weekend of summer outdoor fun, or check out some of the awesome glamping and cabin camping locations on Long Island.

11. Ride a Steam Train Ride

Hitch a final ride aboard Long Island Live Steamers, a mini railroad for kids at Southaven County Park, or visit one of these other destinations for train-obsessed kids

RELATED: 100 Things to Do with Kids on Long Island Before They Grow Up

Long Island Summer Bucket List: Waterdrinker Family Farm.
Pick your own sunflowers during the sunflower festival at Waterdrinker Family Farm. Photo by Gina Massaro

12. Visit a U-Pick Farm

Visit one of the many farms on Long Island and pick ripe berriesflowers, or peaches.

13. Splish Splash

Check out the high-thrill slides at Splish Splash or one of these other water parks and epic pool slides.

14. Go to the Pool

Pick up a day pass for these fantastic outdoor swimming pools before the autumn chill arrives.

15. Board a Boat

Explore Long Island via water by taking a family-friendly boat ride.

16. Visit Wine Country

Have a picnic at one of Long Island's many family-friendly wineries.

17. Go to an Adventure Park

Brave the ropes and bridges and fly down a zip line parallel to the beach at WildPlay adventure park at Jones Beach or Adventure Park Long Island in Wheatley Heights.

18. Head to a Festival

Get your face painted, pick up a balloon, and enjoy carnival rides at some of the final summer street festivals, carnivals, and fairs on Long Island, including Alive on 25 in Riverhead.

RELATED50 Great Things to Do With Kids on the East End in the Summer

End of summer bucket list on Long Island crabbing at Jones Beach
Cruise the Jones Beach boardwalk, then go crabbing or fishing at Pier 10. Photo by the author

19. Go Fishing

Go fish off a pier, or stroll a Long Island boardwalk in flip-flops, sans hoodie. Hang onto that summer vibe—you'll need to remember it come November.

20. Leave Long Island

Take a final summer day trip to see dinosaurs, parks, cute towns, ferries, and more. 

21. Collect Seashells

Bring them home and make these seashell crafts.

Long Island Summer Bucket List: Animal Farm and Petting Zoo Park in Manorville.
Feed baby goats via bottle at the Animal Farm and Petting Zoo Park in Manorville. Photo by Gina Massaro

22. Go to the Petting Zoo

There are plenty of petting zoos on Long Island where kids can pet and feed farm animals like goats, pigs, and chickens.

23. Long Island Aquarium

Visit the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead and check out one of these cool experiences like swimming with sharks.

RELATED: Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for Long Island

End of summer bucket list on Long Island mini golfing
Go for a hole-in-one at the aquatic-themed Whale's Tale on Shelter Island. Photo by the author

24. Go Mini-Golfing

Putt-putt your way to a hole-in-one at these great Long Island mini-golf spots.

25. Indulge in Ice Cream

Cool down with an over-the-top ice cream creation from local parlors, or check out these other indulgent sweet treats.

26. Host a Sleepover

Kids will have a blast with these sleepover games.

27. Fire Island

Visit one of the many family-friendly destinations on Fire Island.

28. Visit a Garden

Before fall hits, see nature in bloom and get some great pictures at one of Long Island's botanical gardens. Clark Botanic Garden is completely FREE.

This post is updated annually.