Suffolk

Free Outdoor Movies for Long Island Kids This Summer

Submitted by Lisa Mancuso on Thu, 06/22/2017 - 12:30pm

This summer when the sun goes down, chances are a free, family-friendly movie will be playing outdoors somewhere on Long Island. It’s an ideal way to spend family time under the stars. So spread a blanket, bring a few lawn chairs, pack some snacks or perhaps a picnic dinner, and enjoy the show.

Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, so it is best to arrive early. And be sure to check each venue’s website for up-to-date information on weather-related cancelations.

For more outdoor family activities, check out our roundups of the best places for a family picnic and the best beaches for families on Long Island. Plus, our Event Calendar and Summer Fun Guide are loaded with ideas for more seasonal fun for your family. Happy summer.

Where to Pick Your Own Blueberries, Blackberries, and More on Long Island

Submitted by Thien August on Tue, 06/20/2017 - 1:00pm

Summer is a great time to pick berries on Long Island. Bushes are low to the ground, and berries are small enough for little fingers to grasp. It's a great activity for kids of all ages, and, really, who can resist a bowl of fresh berries and cream?

Late July is peak season for blueberries and raspberries. Blackberries ripen in August. Be sure to call the farms before heading out to confirm picking hours and berry availability. Don't forget to check out our Pick Your Own Guide for more fruit-picking options in the tristate area.

Some tips: Don't forget sunscreen as the sun can shine brightly on these open fields. Dress appropriately; kids can get a bit dirty. And for health and safety reasons, pets are not permitted on farms.

The East End is the prime destination for summer berry picking on Long Island. While there, why not consult our guide to the Hamptons and North Fork and make a day of it? Or for more farm fun, check out our list of LI's top animal farms and petting zoos.

The Best July 4th Fireworks Shows on Long Island, 2017

Submitted by Felissa Allard on Sun, 06/18/2017 - 12:30pm

Break out your red, white and blue, and get ready to wave that grand old flag.

On Fourth of July weekend, and before and after, families across Long Island gather for picnics, barbecues and, of course, fireworks. We've rounded up Independence Day fireworks happenings up and down Long Island, from Nassau to Suffolk counties and all the way to the East End. July 4 is a Tuesday this year, so fireworks celebrations begin as early as Thursday, June 29 and continue past the weekend of July 8-9.

For more kid-friendly activities, be sure to check out our Summer Fun Guide and our Event Calendar.

The Best Pools on Long Island That Are Open to Everyone

Submitted by Thien August on Fri, 06/16/2017 - 1:10pm

Long Island families look to the beach and public pools to cool off in summertime. But when parents are tired of sand being dragged into the house and the kids are bored of the municipal pool down the street, why not check out a pool in another community?

We’ve done the research and put together a list of the best pools that anyone can visit, even if you’re not a resident of that municipality. Fees to enter the pools are often higher for nonresidents, but might be worth it as a once-in-a-while boredom buster.

While you’re in a different area of Long Island, use our guides to Nassau, Suffolk, and the East End and make an adventure of it all. For more aquatic fun, check out our list of Long Island's best water parks and water slides, And remember, sprinkler parks are another great way to cool off.

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.

The Best Places for a Family Picnic on Long Island

Submitted by Felissa Allard on Sun, 06/11/2017 - 5:00pm

What better way to introduce kids to the beauty of dining alfresco than with a picnic. There are plenty of hot spots across Long Island that offer an ideal picnic experience, including green meadows, beaches, grills to use, and plenty of open spaces. Here are some great spots to kick off your shoes and enjoy the great outdoors.

For more great outdoors experiences with kids, visit our guide to Long Island's best family beaches or our guide to LI's best parks and playgrounds. And don't forget our list of 25 things to do with kids this summer or 100 things to do with kids on Long Island before they grow up.

In the meantime, bon appetit !

25 Things We Can't Wait To Do with LI Kids This Summer

Submitted by Lisa Mancuso on Fri, 06/09/2017 - 1:40pm

At long last summer is here. And that means longer days, warmer weather, and plenty of time to take advantage of all Long Island has to offer families.

From swimming at the beautiful beaches to taking a road trip out east, to exploring local parks and playgrounds, there is no reason you should have to hear the words “I’m bored!” from your kids this summer. To help your family get the most out of the season, we’ve put together a list of 25 things we can’t wait to do with our kids.

From Fire Island to Shelter Island and all points in between, here are our suggestions for the best ways to enjoy this unique island we call home.

For more family fun, check out our guide to Long Island parks and playgrounds, zoos and nature centers, and more. Plus, our event calendar is full of the best ideas for family fun, sorted by date and location. So here's to sunshine and family time. Enjoy!

Beach Clubs In or Near New York City with Kid-Friendly Vibes

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 06/08/2017 - 4:30pm

We're always writing about great things to do during your NYC summer staycation with the kids, but we want to add a new one to our ever-growing list: Join a beach club. All of these clubs offer members similar amenities: massive swimming pools; organized kids' activities like sports and arts and crafts, and sometimes even a day camp; spas, restaurants, and lounges; and, of course, access to pristine private beaches, so you have plenty of space to spread out.

Beach clubs sell seasonal memberships from Memorial Day to Labor Day, which give you access to their facilities. Most also offer optional rental accommodations like bath cabins or cabanas. Many are on Long Island’s South Shore and are most easily accessible by car, but we managed to find one in Brooklyn you can take the subway to.

Long Island Summer Camps With Availability — Yes, Even Now

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 06/05/2017 - 12:30pm

If you haven't spent a minute thinking about summer camp this year, there's no need to panic. There are Long Island programs, particularly in Nassau County, that still have spaces available.

Of course, if you've been too busy to book a camp for your kids, you might not have time to call around now. That's why we did the work for you. Here are several Long Island camps that as of early June still have spots for summer 2017. Some even are offering special discounts for Mommy Poppins readers. To find about more Long Island-based camps, check out our comprehensive Summer Camp Guide.

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

Submitted by James Smith on Fri, 06/02/2017 - 3:00pm

We are fortunate in so many ways to live on Long Island. In what other region of the country can you pack your kids up for a morning train ride to New York City, then whisk them off later to one of the Hamptons’ most desirable beaches?

From Nassau County to Suffolk and all the way to the East End, Long Island has creative play spaces, wonderful children's museums, farm fun, great parks and playgrounds, over-the-top seasonal celebrations, and even amusement and water park fun. And that’s just a beginning.

How do you pick 100 activities every family on Long Island must experience? Well, it’s not scientific. We have no algorithms to determine them for us. Instead, we rely on you, our Mommy Poppins’ Long Island enthusiasts, for ideas, as well as our parent-strong local parent writers.

Here’s what we came up we came with, but we’re still open to suggestions. Chime in to the conversation with us on Facebook.