Saturday, August 21

Recycling Rangers
Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale
(631) 581-1072
9:30-11:00
All ages
Make recycling fun for the kids, bring a 2 liter plastic bottle and they’ll help you create your own starter compost container. Part of the Family Adventure series.  $4 per adult/$3 per adult. Vehicle entrance fee, cars $8.

X Marks the Spot!
Caleb Smith State Park Preserve Nature Museum, Smithtown
631-265-1054
10:00am-11:30 am
This event includes a little quiet focus as well as some active time. Learn to use a compass and decipher word puzzles, then get your ya-yas out in a treasure hunt. Part of the family series. $4.00 per adult, $3.00 per child. Vehicle entrance fee, cars $8.

Seining the River
Nissequogue River State Park, Kings Park
631-581-1072
It’s supposed to be nice on Saturday, so grab some water fun and sun at the Nissequogue River State Park. Kids get to help identify the aquatic life that is on the shoreline and caught in the seine net. This is the stuff that fascinates my kids, and to have an expert there, with real answers to the dozens of questions that come up during this detective game is a dream. Bring sunscreen, towel, hat & watershoes. Ages 10 and up.
$3.00 per child. Vehicle entrance fee, cars $8.

Evening Walk
Nissequogue River State Park, Kings Park
631-581-1072
6pm-7:30pm
Enjoy the quiet, or the cacophony, of the early evening with your kids. This is what they want to do, walk with their grown-ups at bedtime, feel safe while doing something fun and different.  Perhaps you will hear or see the nocturnal wildlife, or perhaps you will be the nocturnal wildlife. Either way, a good way to wind down the summer. $4.00 per adult, $3.00 per child. Vehicle entrance fee may apply, cars $8.

Sunday, August 22

Watercolors Down Under the Sea
Caleb Smith State Park Preserve Nature Museum
631-265-1054
1:30pm-3:30pm
Celebrate the sea creatures with your young one.  Make your own watercolor collage of sea life. $4.00 per adult, $3.00 per child. Vehicle entrance fee, cars $8.

Nature Games
Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale
631-581-1072
9:30am-11:00am
All ages
It’s game time! Laugh it up with the kids while playing animal games and doing activities. Registration required. $4 per adult/$3 per child. Vehicle entrance fee, cars $8.

Gail Storm Swingin’
Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park, Oakdale
631-321-3510
2 p.m.
Bring the whole family for boogie woogie and swingin’ classic jazz standards. FREE. Vehicle entrance fees may apply, cars $8.

Pinkalicious
Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center
76 Main St
Westhampton Beach
631-288-1500
3pm or 6pm
Wear pink to the theater and you’ll get a cupcake after this family friendly, fun performance. A sweet treat all around.
Tickets $25, $20, $15

Saturday and Sunday

Long Island Children’s Museum
11 Davis Ave,
Garden City
516-224-5800
10:00am-5:00pm every day of August
If you haven’t been to the LICM this summer, now is a great time to go, before your schedule is micro-managed down to the last detail. One of the traveling exhibits, Night Journeys, is particularly apt. I’m not sure how it is at your house, but our schedule has become so lax, and the summer light so very bright, that we all struggle to fall asleep. Gear yourself (and your children) up for the early to bed early to rise, by exploring this restful collection of sleeping places from all over the world.  The museum is open every day, but Night Journeys is moving on after Sept 12. General admission $10, over 65 $9, members free, children under 1 free.