East End

The Best Beaches for Families on Long Island

Submitted by Kimberly Chacon on Fri, 05/17/2019 - 1:15pm

Stretching along the north and south shores of Long Island are dazzling beaches known for their family-friendly vibes and natural beauty, and we don't mean just the Hamptons. Whether you have younger kids looking for tranquil shores or older kids looking to body surf, there is a Long Island beach for you. It's time to get ready for cool sea breezes and the feeling of sand between your toes.

At these Long Island's family beaches, you'll find picnic areas, swimming pools, and bathroom complexes along with food trucks and umbrella rentals. Use our guide to choose the best beach for your family's needs. These beaches are staffed from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, unless noted. Prices listed are for summer 2019.

If you're in the mood to travel, check out our list of the best family beaches near New York City or our guide to the Jersey Shore area. For more family fun, see our guide to Long Island amusement and water parks.

Top Long Island Playgrounds for Toddlers

Submitted by Kimberly Chacon on Tue, 05/14/2019 - 12:00pm

Toddlers seem to have endless energy and the power to play all day. They might want to do all that older kids can, but with wobbly legs and arms that can't quite reach, they require special playgrounds.

From Nassau to Suffolk counties and all the way to the East End, designers of Long Island's parks have been thoughtful in creating play spaces for our littlest residents. So as the weather gets warmer, why not take your toddlers to a spot designed with their needs in mind?

We have done the legwork and scouted out the top toddler playgrounds across Long Island. Be sure to check our full list of parks and playgrounds on Long Island, then get out there and enjoy these beautiful days.

Pick Your Own Strawberry Farms and Festivals on Long Island

Submitted by Thien August on Sun, 05/05/2019 - 9:00am

Long Island is ripe with places where families can pick their own strawberries. Deciding where to go can be a challenge, so we've handpicked a few of our favorites.

Harvesting your own fruit is not only fun, but it connects you with the source of your food and supports local farmers. And it doesn't get fresher than picking fruit right off the vine. This is especially important for Long Island strawberries, which are sweeter and more delicate than most grocery-store varieties, and have a shorter shelf life.

Many of these farms are located on Long Island's East End, but there are a few festivals in Nassau or western Suffolk counties for families who don't want to travel quite as far. Either way, call ahead or check the farms' websites to confirm that fields are open and the strawberries are ripe.

The Best Animal Farms and Petting Zoos on Long Island

Submitted by Lisa Mancuso on Fri, 04/19/2019 - 7:11pm

Whether you are looking for a low-key petting zoo or an exotic experience with wild animals, there's no shortage of places on Long Island where children can interact with nature's noble creatures. If they want to, Long Island kids can do everything from feed a giraffe to visit with an alpaca, and even ride a safari train.

Be sure to check our directory of zoos and gardens on Long Island, and peruse our pick-your-own guide for more local farm fun. And, for more seasonal fun, be sure to check our event calendar

The Best Children's Playgrounds on Long Island

Submitted by Thien August on Fri, 04/05/2019 - 10:32am

An abundance of parks and playgrounds makes Long Island a wonderful place to raise a family. These destinations are, of course, great places for little ones to get valuable exercise and to have fun. They are also ideal places for parents to chat while kids play. Feel free to get in on the action because kids love it when parents get silly and have fun, too.

We’ve scouted the best playgrounds across the Island—in Nassau and Suffolk, and on the East End—where you’ll find plenty of space for you and your little ones. For more playground inspiration, check our guide to day trips to Long Island's top parks and playgrounds, including our top playgrounds for toddlers.

25 Spring Break Activities for Long Island Kids

Submitted by Lisa Mancuso on Sun, 03/24/2019 - 11:30am

If your family is planning a stay-cation here on Long Island during spring break and you’re searching for things to do, you’ve come to the right place.

For most public school students on Long Island, spring break runs from Friday, April 19 to Sunday, April 28. We’ve rounded up 25 fun activities that will keep your kids busy and happily entertained. Between day and weeklong camps, indoor events for rainy days and nature excursions that get your family outside, there’s something for everyone.Try one or more of these activities, and we're confident you’ll never again hear those dreaded words: "I’m bored " (Well, at least not during spring break, anyway).

St. Patrick's Day Events and Free Parades for Kids on Long Island

Submitted by James Smith on Fri, 03/01/2019 - 12:30pm

Few regions celebrate their Irish heritage better than Long Island.

From Rockville Centre to Montauk, from the first weekend of March till the last, Main Streets across the Island come alive with pipers, parade marchers, traditional food, music, dance, and more. Huntington itself swells with visitors on the second Sunday of March when one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day gatherings in New York State kicks off in the village downtown. That Huntington parade is dwarfed perhaps only by New York’s City’s celebration, which this year is Saturday, March 16.

We here at Mommy Poppins have all you need to get into the spirit of the season, beginning with the Kings Park parade on Saturday, March 2 and climaxing with Jamesport’s on Saturday March 30. Most of these events are low cost or FREE, ideal for families, and appropriate for first-generation Irish-Americans or those who are just Irish for a day.

Read on for our favorites from among the 20-plus parades that will take place in Patrick’s honor this month on the Island. Click through for details, including parade routes, dates, times, and more. As always see our Long Island Events Calendar and March GoList for the best in family entertainment all month long.

Top Mommy-and-Me Baby Classes on Long Island

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 02/15/2019 - 5:10pm

From Zumba to yoga, cooking and art, there are plenty of ways to nurture your baby’s mind, body, and creative spirit. Not to mention your own.

We’ve rounded up some of the best mommy-and-me classes on Long Island, ideal if you want to to stay fit or learn a new craft. You and your baby will have fun, meet other moms and tots, and, most importantly, spend precious time together.

Of course, classes are open to dads, grandparents, and other caregivers. Be sure to check class websites for times, costs, and registration details.

For more suggestions on inexpensive ways to entertain your kids, check out our guide to FREE activities on Long Island. Our classes and enrichment guide also offers a host of ideas to stimulate your child's learning.

Have fun.

New Summer Camps and Programs for Long Island Kids, 2019

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Sun, 02/10/2019 - 10:00am

While it might feel as if we are in the arctic these days, it's the time of year when Long Island summer camps begin to hold open houses and enrollment begins to fill up. There's no better time to start dreaming and planning for the warmer weather than now.

From athletes to performing artists and even preschoolers, there is a program premiering this summer for kids of just about every interest. Whether you've got a first-time camper or a seasoned pro looking for something new, we've rounded up the 2019 summer camp season's newest additions.

Looking for more on Long Island camps? Check our lists of the best camps in Nassau and Suffolk, or you can always find more camps for kids in our Camps Guide and full directory of listings.

Free Museum Passes and More Perks From Your LI Library Card

Submitted by Lisa Mancuso on Fri, 02/08/2019 - 11:30am

Unlike the other cards in your wallet, a library card doesn't come with fees or payment due dates. It does, however, come with a list of very cool, very FREE perks for the whole family, and we’re not just talking books.

Access to free museum passes from your local library is a huge perk for families, and one not everyone knows about: We are here to spread the word. In addition, your Long Island library card gets you access to a variety of other freebies that can entertain the whole family, from toddlers to tweens and teens.

Take a look at our list of museums from which you can score free passes and our roundup of other cool perks available at libraries in Nassau and Suffolk counties. For more details, check individual library websites. And see our seasonal fun guide and events calendar for more ways to keep your family busy this winter.