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Best Things To Do on Long Island Before School Starts

1. Sprinkler Park

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

2. Adventureland

Visit Adventureland to test its new attractions or road trip to Legoland New York or another nearby theme park.

3. Outdoor Dining

Nosh outdoors at these family-friendly Long Island restaurants and enjoy enviable views at these waterfront restaurants.

4. Road Trip

Visit the Big Duck or one of these other fun roadside attractions during a quintessential summer vacation: the road trip.

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

Hit the waves at Jones Beach, where the water temperature in August is at its highest. Photo by the author

5. 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.

6. Watch a Movie

Catch a movie under the stars at Eisenhower Park, Port Washington, or another park offering FREE summer movie nights.

7. Long Island Ducks

Find the joy in a night at the ballpark with a Long Island Ducks game and enjoy a kid-centric experience at family-friendly prices.

8. 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.

RELATED: The Best Camping Destinations on LI for Families

Climb the Fire Island Lighthouse for an amazing view of the sea. Photo by the author

9. Visit a Lighthouse

Climb to the top of a Long Island lighthouse before the ocean gets too rough and the breeze too chilly. Enjoy a host of family-friendly activities during Lighthouse Weekend, August 17-18, 2024, at Montauk Point.

10. Long Island Children's Museum

Explore the seasonal Our Backyard exhibit at the Long Island Children's Museum while it's still warm outside, and save time to visit Thomas and Friends while you're there.

11. Ride a Steam Train Ride

Speaking of trains, hitch a final seasonal ride aboard the Long Island Live Steamers, a mini railroad for kids at Southaven County Park, or visit one of these other destinations for train-obsessed kids.

12. 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.

13. Race a Rubber Duckie

Head to Reeves Bay on Saturday, August 10, 2024, for the annual Rubber Duckie Race. It's FREE to watch or $5 to enter your own duckie!

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

Pick your own sunflowers during the sunflower festival at Waterdrinker Family Farm. Photo by Gina Massaro

14. Visit a U-Pick Farm

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

15. Splish Splash

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

16. Go to the Pool

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

17. Board a Boat

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

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.

RELATED: 50 Great Things To Do with Kids on the East End in the Summer

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.

22. Head to the Shark Shack

Located at Robert Moses State Park, the Shark Shack hosts educational workshops on Thursdays and Saturdays.

Feed baby goats via bottle at the Animal Farm and Petting Zoo Park in Manorville. Photo by Gina Massaro

23. 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. We had a blast at the Long Island Game Farm earlier this spring!

24. Long Island Aquarium

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

25. Harbes Peach Fest

Head to the action-packed Harbes Family Farm for a late-summer peach festival.

26. Visit Wine Country

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

27. 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.

RELATED: Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for Long Island

Go for a hole-in-one at the aquatic-themed Whale's Tale on Shelter Island. Photo by the author

28. Go Mini-Golfing

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

29. 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.

30. Fire Island

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

31. 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.