Garden City

Winter 2018 Classes That Long Island Kids of All Ages Will Want To Try

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Sun, 01/07/2018 - 10:33am

Baby, it's cold outside! And that means it's time to sign up for winter-worthy indoor activities. Luckily, Long Island serves up something for everyone, from infants to teens.

Warm up at a fitness class designed for new parents and their babies, or swim lessons in a heated aquatic center. Get kids moving and expressing their creativity with gym or art classes, or join a culturally rich sing-along for tots. The possibilities are seemingly endless. Search our Classes Guide and Directory Listings by type or location to help find the perfect fit.

Read on for some great options across Long Island that'll get you and the kids out of the house to have some serious fun. Snag a spot by enrolling now before the temperature drops any lower!

New Sensory Room Opens at Long Island Children’s Museum

Submitted by Lisa Mancuso on Thu, 10/19/2017 - 2:35pm

The Long Island Children’s Museum, part of Nassau County’s famed Museum Row in Garden City, is dedicated to providing fun, educational exhibits, programs, and performances to children and their families. But with its vast open spaces—it’s housed in a converted airplane hangar—bright lights, noise, and overexcited visitors, for some children a visit can be overwhelming.

With the needs of those children in mind, the museum in October 2017 opened a new sensory room. The dedicated space is the latest component of LICM4all, an initiative that helps the museum better serve all children and families.

Top Mommy-and-Me Baby Classes on Long Island

Submitted by Lisa Mancuso on Tue, 08/15/2017 - 6:12pm

From Zumba to yoga to 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, including 50 Free Things to Do with Long Island Kids. Our classes and enrichment guide also offers a host of ideas to stimulate your child's learning.

Have fun.

Indoor Swimming Classes for Long Island Kids

Submitted by Kimberly Chacon on Tue, 06/13/2017 - 12:30pm

Long Islanders often boast of long weekends at our family-friendly beaches and endless opportunities for indoor aquatic activities. With proper swim instruction, children can be safe and have fun around our many waterways. From private swim classes to community pools, there are plenty of swim instruction destinations from which to choose. The great thing about these pools is that when summer is gone, kids can continue classes and add to their skills. There are schools for those as young as 6 months, continuing through lifeguard training.

In addition, Long Island has well-maintained outdoor pools for long days of family fun, including these on the East End. For even more outdoor adventures, see our guide to Long Island's best parks and playgrounds and our guide to LI's best amusement and water parks.

Long Island Restaurants Where Kids Can Eat Free

Submitted by Lisa Mancuso on Fri, 05/05/2017 - 5:25pm

Who says nothing is for free anymore? Not these kid-friendly, Long Island restaurants, where kids get to eat free and you get to relax. It's ideal for families with picky—or not-so-picky—eaters who want to enjoy a nice meal without the aggravation of paying for food that goes untouched.

From pizza to pasta, fast food to waitress service, pub fare to ethnic dishes, check out these locations the next time your family is looking for a stress-free dinner. Promotions do change often so be sure to check first before you go.

Bon appetit.

Spanish, French and More: Foreign-Language Classes for Kids on Long Island

Submitted by Thien August on Mon, 05/01/2017 - 11:53am

It's always been a dream of mine to master a second language. But since I barely passed high school Spanish (and then college Italian), it looks like that ship has sailed.

Luckily, it's not too late for my children to be bilingual. In fact, experts agree that when it comes to learning a foreign language, start as soon as possible. It's easier for babies and young children to master another language than for teens and adults. There are a number of schools in Nassau and Suffolk counties that offer classes—including mommy/daddy and me—to help expose your child to a new world of words and phrases. Prices vary by school; contact each directly for costs.

And be sure to look at our classes and enrichment guide for more ways to learn what your kids might enjoy.

Glow-in-the-Dark Mini Golf Opens at Roosevelt Field in Garden City

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Thu, 01/26/2017 - 12:30pm

Dragging the kids along for another trip to the mall? Tired of them complaining as you meander from store to store?

At Roosevelt Field mall in East Garden City, you can take a break at the new Glowgolf, a glow-in-the-dark miniature golf facility. Located on the concourse level near LensCrafters and the kids play area, you can grab a club and ball and embark on a glowing adventure through 27 holes.

Arcade Age Exhibit Is a Blast From Your Video Game Past

Submitted by Anna Fader on Fri, 04/29/2016 - 10:00am

For parents and kids who love video games, there's a new must-do. The Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, Long Island, is now home to a retro video game exhibit where, for a flat fee, you get a 90-minute window to play as much Pac-Man, Donkey Kong and Mortal Kombat II as you can.

The Arcade Age exhibit consists of over 50 authentic video game machines from the 1980s. Atari, Midway and Sega are in heavy rotation here. You'll find popular throwbacks like Dig Dug, Pole Position, Missile Command and Breakout that will defintiely take you back. It's also fun discovering some of the more eclectic games you may have missed and your children certainly have never heard of before now. Read on for more on our recent visit.

Babysitting Classes for Long Island Kids

Submitted by Linda DiProperzio on Wed, 09/17/2014 - 10:00am

There are many things parents need in order to maintain their sanity. For me, a great babysitter is at the top of the list. Whether it’s to go on a date night with my husband, get some work done (hey, these articles don’t write themselves!) or run a few errands in peace, I need someone I can rely on to take care of my boys when I’m not around. But finding someone you can trust with your kids isn’t easy. So when you find that special sitter, it’s like hitting the lottery. It’s also a great way for tweens and teens to make some extra money.

But before they start advertising their services, they’ll want to check out these places that offer babysitter training. It will not only benefit them when they’re “on the job,” but also offer peace of mind to the parents that hire them. And don’t forget to check out other class offerings around the area with our Long Island Classes Guide.

A Great Night Out at Noodles & Company

Submitted by Linda DiProperzio on Fri, 07/04/2014 - 9:53am

Like all moms, I spend most of my time doing fun stuff with my kids. But when I get the chance to have a night out with the girls, I jump at it. I recently had the pleasure of hosting a Mom’s Night Out for a few Mommy Poppins Long Island readers at Noodles & Company in Garden City. I had such a wonderful time meeting these women and hearing about how much they love the site—not to mention enjoying the delicious food and wine!