Gina Massaro

Latest posts by Gina Massaro

Best Winter Vacation Ideas for Families: Affordable Vacation Spots for Kids of All Ages

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Sat, 11/09/2024 - 12:00pm

Bermuda's gorgeous beaches are the perfect place to unwind. Photo by Mommy Poppins

The days are shorter and colder, and the winter blues are setting in. Why not cure them with a family vacation? While a trip to an all-inclusive resort or one of our warm and sunny winter vacation ideas would be nice, our wallets don't always agree. Luckily, there are plenty of fun and affordable vacation spots that won't break the bank.

Here are 18 low-cost winter vacation ideas for families in the US and abroad. Many of these affordable vacation spots have lower prices and thinner crowds in the winter months, making winter the perfect time to visit—even during February break. For more fun family vacation ideas any time of year, check out our Family Travel Guide.

Best Neighborhoods to Trick or Treat on Long Island This Halloween

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Mon, 10/28/2024 - 2:47pm

Wear your best Halloween costume for trick-or-treating in Stony Brook Village. Photo courtesy of the village

Families love to celebrate Halloween by trick-or-treating on Long Island, with its many walkable main streets, villages lined with festive shops, and elaborately decorated homes.

You can stay in your neighborhood, where kids know how to navigate the houses, or you can take Halloween as an opportunity to explore new areas of Long Island. We’ve compiled a list of the best Long Island neighborhoods for trick-or-treating in 2024.

We prefer neighborhoods that have houses close together, are well-lit with minimal traffic, and that also have merchants participating in the fun. Read on for our list of favorite places to trick-or-treat on Long Island.

For even more spooky fun, check out our Long Island Halloween Guide, including a rundown of the best scary haunted houses for teens and trunk-or-treat events for kids.

21 Things To Do on Long Island Before Your Baby's First Birthday

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Fri, 10/18/2024 - 10:06am

Spend a day at a Long Island beach with your baby during their first year.

A baby's first year is full of memorable firsts and, on Long Island, there's always something new to experience and explore with your little one. From a baby's first dip of their tiny toes into the ocean to their first play cafe fun to a first barnyard adventure, we have you covered.

The photo-worthy moments we've listed below will be plentiful. so be sure to have your phone or camera ready for some great pictures.

For more new parenting tips, check out our Baby Guide for New and Expecting Long Island Parents.

41 Best Bedtime Stories for Kids, Including Free Bedtime Stories Online

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Thu, 10/17/2024 - 11:17am

Snuggle up with one of these beloved bedtime stories for kids. Photo courtesy of Bigstock

Sometimes all you need are a few really great bedtime stories for kids...

The homework is finished, the baths are complete, the children are snuggled in their beds... and they're still awake! A truly tantalizing tale is the final piece of the bedtime puzzle. Whether you read these books to your kids, read them together as a family, or play the audio versions, these beloved bedtime stories for kids will help them drift off to dreamland in no time. There are even some free bedtime stories you can easily access online, for those nights when you need something new.

Dim the lights, get cozy, and crack open one of these 30 great bedtime stories for kids. For even more great books, check out our list of 100 kids' books every child should read before they grow up, plus more beloved book recommendations in our Guide to the Best Kids' Books.

Bilingual and Dual Language Preschools on Long Island

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Fri, 08/23/2024 - 9:13am

Kids 18 months to 5 years old can attend Spanish Around the World in Smithtown and learn Spanish through the Montessori-inspired curriculum. Photo courtesy of the school

Preschoolers' little minds are constantly expanding, and it's a great time to naturally introduce a second language. Not only are there multiple school options on Long Island, but multiple language options.

Read on for a list of Long Island's bilingual and immersion preschools in Nassau and Suffolk counties

Want more options? Check out our guide to Preschools on Long Island.

Here's Why Wantagh Park Playground is My Family's Go-To Destination

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Fri, 07/19/2024 - 5:30am

Marina Playground has plenty of slides to experience.

Wantagh Park's newest addition, the Marina Playground, has just dethroned Eisenhower Park as our favorite playground in Nassau County. Interactive elements, cool nautical-themed structures, and equipment for multiple ages make this a perfect park for families with younger and older kids. Read on for more info on how exciting this new addition is in terms of Long Island's playground lineup.

For lots more on Long Island playgrounds, check out our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds on Long Island.

Captree State Park Adds Ropes Course to Beach Playground

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Mon, 04/29/2024 - 6:29am

The new ropes course at Captree State Park features a spider-web structure.

The new ropes course at Captree State Park's playground was recently unveiled and it is a welcome addition that makes the well-rounded playground especially great for climbers ages 4-8. On a recent trip, my 6-year-old had a blast exploring the ropes.

Read on for more info about Captree's ropes course and the rest of the playground on the eastern tip of Jones Beach, and check out our Guide to Playgrounds and Parks on Long Island for more playground fun.

Top Summer Camps in Nassau County for Kids

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Sun, 04/07/2024 - 6:56am

Make a lifetime of memories at Shibley Day Camp. Photo courtesy of the camp

Summer means sandy shores, ocean waves, pool noodles, and for many kids in Nassau County, summer camps. Fortunately for parents, there are plenty of great summer camps in Nassau County to choose from.

Whether you’re looking for summer camps for your preschooler, sports summer camps for your athlete, or STEM and STEAM summer camps for your kids, we’ve found the best day camps from Great Neck to Massapequa and Woodmere to Oyster Bay.

For more options, be sure to bookmark our Long Island Camp Guide and our camp directory, where you can search for summer camps by age, type, and community.