Jennifer Voit

Jennifer Voit, a mom of two, lives on Long Island and loves exploring Nassau and Suffolk counties with her family. With a background in broadcast journalism and digital content, she enjoys sharing local news, events, and experiences. A photography enthusiast, she’s often behind the lens capturing the beauty of Long Island and NYC.

Latest posts by Jennifer

Long Island Children's Museum's New Space-Themed Exhibit, "Moon to Mars," is a Blast

Submitted by Jennifer Voit on Mon, 01/27/2025 - 6:25am

The "Moon to Mars" exhibit will be on display at LICM until early May.

The Long Island Children's Museum in Garden City is always a fun-filled experience for the whole family. Winter is a great time to visit, especially with the opening of the LICM's brand-new, space-themed exhibit. The new, hands-on "Moon to Mars" exhibit is an exciting STEAM-based adventure, perfect for space-obsessed kiddos.

My kids were starry-eyed from the start, dazzled to design rockets, don spacesuits, and learn all about space exploration. Read on for all the details to plan your next visit to the Long Island Children's Museum. For even more activities, check out our guide to Long Island's best family-friendly museums and our Winter Fun Guide.

Best Winter Birthday Ideas for Kids on Long Island

Submitted by Jennifer Voit on Fri, 12/27/2024 - 9:05am

Throw a glow-karting or laser tag party for your winter baby at Xplore. Photo by Jaime Sumersille

Having a tough time coming up with winter birthday party ideas for your Long Island kiddo? We've rounded up some great options throughout LI that offer festive fun for kids of all ages.

The party packages we've highlighted accommodate various price points, party themes, food choices, and activity options. Active kids can show off their ninja birthday skills at a family fun center, art-loving kids can celebrate with a paint party extravaganza, or you can sweeten the special day for your little one with a candy-making event.

Read on for our full list, and check out our Long Island Party Guide for other exciting birthday party ideas.

Most Decadent, Delicious Hot Chocolate on Long Island

Submitted by Jennifer Voit on Fri, 12/20/2024 - 10:09am

Cozy up to a specialty hot chocolate at Café Portofino in Northport. Photo courtesy of Café Portofino

Enjoying a mouthwatering hot chocolate on Long Island with the kids is a perfect way to warm up this winter. Adults and kids love this tasty treat, especially when topped with marshmallows, whipped cream, or both. Some cafes, coffee shops, and restaurants offer unique hot chocolate concoctions with fun flavors, toppings, or even rich chocolate shavings to satisfy your sweet tooth.

We've rounded up some of the best spots across Long Island serving up delectable hot chocolates with incredible playgrounds nearby. Read ahead to start planning a day filled with wintry playground action topped off with an unforgettable hot chocolate experience.

For even more seasonal outings, check out our Winter Fun Guide and our list of Long Island's best family-friendly restaurants.

Hop Aboard the Polar Express in Port Jefferson this Holiday Season

Submitted by Jennifer Voit on Mon, 12/02/2024 - 5:58am

Your kids will use golden tickets to board the Polar Express Experience in Port Jefferson.

The Polar Express Experience in Port Jefferson Station on Long Island is an interactive holiday treat kids will love. The classic Christmas movie is brought to life for little ones on a charming, stationary antique train car. My kids have never been on a Polar Express movie adventure and enjoyed every merry moment of this one.

This movie screening filled our family with the Christmas spirit, from golden tickets to hot chocolate to a surprise visit from Santa Claus himself. Read ahead for all the details to plan your Polar Express viewing experience.

For more seasonal festivities, check out our Long Island Guide to Holiday Fun, including our list of 25 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities on Long Island.

Your Holly Jolly Guide to Visiting Santa's Christmas Tree Farm with Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Voit on Fri, 11/22/2024 - 12:06pm

Find the perfect tree for your family at Santa's Christmas Tree Farm.

A visit to one of Long Island's local Christmas tree farms is a perfect holiday adventure to enjoy this season, and a day at Santa’s Christmas Tree Farm in Cutchogue on the North Fork is magical for the whole family. Enjoy festive entertainment at every turn and memorable experiences to share.

Our family visits this East End gem every year. My kids cannot get enough of the interactive, seasonal activities. From a visit with Santa to ice skating under twinkling lights to choosing our own Christmas tree, the destination-worthy farm has it all.

Read ahead for all the details to plan your own holly, jolly trip to Santa’s Christmas Tree Farm. For even more merry festivities, check out our Long Island Guide to Holiday Fun, which includes our gift to you: this bucket list of Christmas events and holiday activities on Long Island.

Best Horseback Riding Lessons on Long Island for Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Voit on Mon, 10/21/2024 - 6:14am

The Thomas School of Horsemanship has multiple outdoor rings. Photo courtesy of the school

Horseback riding lessons on Long Island offer kids a unique way to learn an exciting lifelong skill, gain confidence, and have a lot of fun. From pony rides for little ones to weekly lessons and trail rides for older kids, Long Island stables and equestrian centers have various options for beginners to advanced riders.

Animal-loving kids will have a chance to bond with a beautiful horse or pony and learn how to care for and communicate with their new friends. Kids should dress appropriately for riding lessons. Boots are preferred, and some stables provide helmets at the lessons, while others require you to bring your own.

Read on for our list of the best stables and equestrian centers across Long Island for horseback riding lessons kids will love. For more active adventures, check out our guide to Long Island Family Fun.

Dive Into the Whaling Museum's "Monsters & Mermaids" Exhibit in Cold Spring Harbor

Submitted by Jennifer Voit on Mon, 10/14/2024 - 7:40am

At Monsters & Mermaids explore how human interest in mermaids is timeless.

A visit to the Whaling Museum & Education Center in Cold Spring Harbor is nautical fun for the whole family. This Suffolk County gem is home to historical Long Island maritime exhibits and whaling industry artifacts dating back to the 19th century.

The museum's new exhibition, “Monsters & Mermaids,” transports kids and adults into a mythical world of mermaids, sirens, and legendary deep-sea creatures. Mermaid-loving kids and aspiring ocean explorers, like my little ones, were dazzled by the exhibit's hands-on crafts, interactive oceanic folklore fun, scavenger hunt, and more.

Read on for details that will help you plan your family’s Whaling Museum adventure, and check out our Guide to the Best Museums for Kids on Long Island for more tips on visiting LI's top cultural instituations.

Long Island Libraries with Great Play Spaces and Children's Rooms

Submitted by Jennifer Voit on Mon, 09/30/2024 - 7:26am

Westbury Memorial Public Library has a separate children's library building with play spaces. Photo by the author

Libraries across Long Island provide incredible opportunities for kids to learn, play, read, and explore. Parents can entertain kids for hours in any season and weather with a visit to one of the fantastic, hands-on, FREE play spaces and children's rooms many Long Island library branches offer.

From building blocks galore to exciting nature discovery zones to wooden trains to board, Long Island libraries offer kids a place to let their imaginations soar. We’ve rounded up a list of destination-worthy Long Island libraries with memorable play areas, both indoors and outdoors. For more family adventures as the weather cools off check out our Free Things to Do Indoors on Long Island and 15 Family Fun Centers on Long Island.

Jennifer Voit

Latest posts by Jennifer

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