East End

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.

Long Island Science Center Returns to Riverhead

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Tue, 02/05/2019 - 11:30am

Back in Riverhead from its brief relocation in Rocky Point, the Long Island Science Center boasts an edutainment experience for kids and adults.

Stop in for a visit, and remember there are plenty of other museums on Long Island to explore.

Eager for some more indoor fun? Check out our indoor activities guide. Or maybe you want to start planning for a day trip?

Free Things to Do With Kids on Long Island in February

Submitted by Lisa Mancuso on Fri, 02/01/2019 - 4:50pm

February is a short month, but it's filled with long winter days and weekends—not to mention a weeklong school break—when your kids will be looking for something to do. Luckily, there's no shortage of family-friendly activities on Long Island this month, and many of them won't cost you a penny.

We're talking library crafts and storytimes, fun events that celebrate Valentine's Day (including a kissing booth photo-op) and the Super Bowl, a tennis expo, and much more. To help you plan, we've rounded up some of the best no-cost-to-you activities that will keep the whole family entertained.

For more things to do that are both fun and free, check out our guides to free attractions for toddlers and babies and restaurants where kids eat free, and our roundup of great spots for long winter walks. And don't forget our events calendar and February GoList.

Long Island Destinations for Delicious Hot Chocolate

Submitted by Thien August on Tue, 01/29/2019 - 10:00am

When the snow starts to fly during a Long Island winter, a tasty hot chocolate can help to take the chill away.

Adults and kids across Long Island enjoy hot chocolate, especially when it’s topped with marshmallows, whipped cream, or both. And while you can make it at home, isn't it nice to get out of the house with the kids? It squashes cabin fever, and there’s no cleanup for you. With that in mind. here are 18 places across Long Island that serve up delicious hot chocolate and other tasty treats.

If hot chocolate isn’t your thing, why not try one of these spots for afternoon tea with the kids? See our guide to family-friendly restaurants for even more dining ideas on Long Island. And for more seasonal possibilities, check out our Winter Fun Guide and Long Island events calendar.

STEM and STEAM Summer Camps for Long Island Kids

Submitted by Lisa Mancuso on Tue, 01/15/2019 - 10:00am

If you have a child who wants to spend the summer building robots, learning to code, or launching rockets, you're in luck. Long Island has quite a few summer camps where kids can expand their knowledge of all things STEM and STEAM. At these places children can not only have fun and make new friends, but also learn new skills to help them thrive during the next school year.

If you didn't know, STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. STEAM takes it one discipline further, adding an A for arts.

Indoor Swimming Pools for Families on Long Island

Submitted by Thien August on Fri, 01/11/2019 - 10:25am

If you haven't had a chance to get away this season and spend time by the pool, there's still hope—and you don’t have to brave the crowds at the airport to get there.

Why not visit one of the many indoor swimming pools Long Island has to offer? We’ve rounded up some of Nassau and Suffolk County's most affordable and family-friendly indoor pools that are open to the public. Check out each location’s website for family swim schedules and rules, as well as information on lessons. And don't forget to take a look at your school district’s website under the “athletics” link or similar to determine if it offers a community swim program.

For swimming lessons around Long Island or other kid-friendly activities you can enjoy in winter, check out our guide to indoor play spaces and our Long Island classes and enrichment guide.