Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer when many Long Islanders head out east to enjoy the area's beautiful beaches, and various kid-friendly events and activities. This weekend, families can learn about oyster farming, help transform the Childen's Museum of the East End's garden, sample some of the region's finest cuisine or watch a parade honoring our nation's veterans.

Whether you're planning to spend most of the summer on the East End or just a weekend here and there, be sure to check out our Hamptons & North Fork Guide for the best things to do and see in the area. And for what's happening on the rest of LI, take a look at our Event Calendar.

When you’re getting ready to enroll your child in preschool, thinking about college can seem a bit silly. But taking into account that only 65 out of 100 students in New York City graduate from high school, it doesn’t seem that far-fetched that parents might be worrying about their child’s academic future while he’s still in pull-ups.

Our sponsor, 82nd Street Academics in Queens, is interested in a child’s early steps to college, with a proven track record when it comes to not only inspiring kids academically, but also strengthening their skills in areas such as social-emotional health, physical development, language and literacy, and mathematical/cognitive thinking. The end result is clear: 50 percent of kids who have experienced just one program at 82nd Street Academics go on to college, while 80 percent of those who participate in five programs throughout their preschool and elementary school years go on to higher education.

I have loved witnessing the evolution of dining options in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn over the past few years. While new restaurants are nice because that means the neighborhood is growing, it's equally wonderful to watch old-school eateries that have served the community for decades continue to thrive. There are a handful of fancy places, but most restaurants here welcome families—some even have children's menus and play areas.

Whether you want to indulge in a chocolate egg cream at one of Brooklyn's oldest diners or enjoy some of the best brick oven pizza around, the food in Prospect Heights is sure to please parents and kids alike.

Eastern Long Island boasts some of the Northeast’s most captivating beaches, perfect for summer fun. However, parents of young children may want to invest in swimming lessons from qualified instructors in order to put themselves at ease amid all the oceanside activity. Happily, there are some affordable kids' swim programs on both forks. Classes do fill up quickly, though, so you'll want to enroll your children ASAP.

Note: Most town-sponsored, outdoor programs begin in July. YMCA and Southampton Youth Services programs continue year-round.

Having just concluded the fourth grade science fair, I have a hypothesis that kids really enjoy science… especially if it involves a rubber hand and a hammer. This week, children can pursue scientific investigation with LEGO at the library in Studio City. Junior marine biologists will want to know that the grunion continue to run at a fishy festival on Tuesday, and young physicists can peruse the planets at both the Garvey Observatory and Vista Hermosa Park.

For parents, Patty Fitzgerald of Safely Ever After brings Safe Smarts to the Westchester Public Library. I’ve seen Patty speak several times on the topic of keeping our children safe and informed, and have always been impressed by her practical and down-to-earth approach. But wait; there's more! Read on for our top picks this week.

May is the perfect time to learn about gardening, and many of this week’s picks focus on trees and plants, including Toddler Trek: Tree Time, Garden Discoveries and Little Sprouts Spring Gardening Club. Intriguing free library programs are also featured this week such as Story & Science and Meet a Fire Fighter. And don’t forget to check out our Event Calendar for even more options.

You don't need to wait for the upcoming holiday weekend to have some fun with the kids. This week, little ones can bounce around at Toddler Time or watch Goodnight Moon come to life, while the entire family can enjoy an activity-filled carnival.

And remember, this is just a sample of what's happening across Long Island this week. For more, take a look at our Event Calendar.