Gina Massaro

Latest posts by Gina Massaro

Best Baby Boutiques for Cool Baby Clothes on Long Island

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Fri, 04/18/2025 - 8:19am

Shop in-store or opt for curated home delivery from Sag Harbor's Little Red Planet. Photo courtesy of the store

There are few things more exciting than anticipating a bundle of joy, but the fun of shopping for that baby is up there. Whether you're a newly expecting parent, already a pro, or a friend or family member searching for the perfect baby gift, we've got you covered with the top baby stores on Long Island.

You can find everything from an outfit to bring the baby home in, to his or her first lovey, and can even plan ahead for a first birthday party.

For more great baby tips, check out our Long Island Baby Guide, which includes our story on must-do things on Long Island before your baby's first birthday.

Where to Meet Other New Moms on Long Island

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Fri, 03/14/2025 - 6:26am

Mommy-and-me classes are a great way to make friends with fellow parents on Long Island.

Finding a mom friend on Long Island who you connect with is gold, and can make this adventure of motherhood—with its sleepless nights and mountains of diapers and laundry—just a little bit easier. These are our top spots to get you out of the house and meeting your new mom tribe.

New parents and moms should also check out our Guide for New Long Island Parents, which includes a roundup of LI's best baby stores.

Fun Indoor Birthday Party Places with Mega Playgrounds on Long Island for Kids

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 10:37am

Pump It Up in Great Neck is a perfect spot for an indoor birthday party on Long Island.

Long Island's indoor playgrounds make perfect birthday party places for active, fun-loving kids to celebrate the big day. And Long Island doesn't just have basic indoor play spaces, but mega indoor playgrounds! These massive spaces in Nassau County and Suffolk County offer endless activities to entertain kids of all ages on ninja courses, trampolines, ropes courses, and more.

These birthday party places make for one-stop party planning—with food, entertainment, hosting, and clean-up. From safe toddler zones to VR attractions for teens, these mega kids' birthday party places have it all. Bonus: You don't have to worry about the weather when hosting a party at one of these mega indoor play spaces.

For even more festive birthday party ideas, check out our B irthday Party Guide for Long Island Kids and the Best Winter Birthday Party Ideas for Kids on Long Island.

Visiting American Dream Mall in New Jersey: 26 Fun Things To Do and Tips For Your Visit

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Thu, 01/30/2025 - 11:59am

Nickelodeon Universe is one of the can't-miss destinations at American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo courtesy of the venue

American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is not just the tri-state area's largest mall, but it's the second-largest mall in the United States. It has top-notch attractions, including the Nickelodeon Universe theme park, the DreamWorks Water Park, and even an indoor ski resort at Big Snow, as well as plenty of options for shopping, dining, and enough attractions to entertain you for days. Here is our list of the top 26 things to do with kids at the American Dream Mall, plus all the top kid-friendly picks coming soon to the entertainment complex.

For more fun local escapes, check out our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

100 Free Things To Do on Long Island with Kids

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Fri, 01/10/2025 - 9:21am

Discover the trails at Quogue Wildlife Refuge for a day of free, outdoorsy fun. Photo by Jaime Sumersille

Are you looking for FREE things to do with kids on Long Island? We've compiled a massive list of 100 FREE, family-friendly, interactive adventures that you should not miss.

Finding free things to do with the family on Long Island is a great way to have fun, make memories, and stay on budget. From playgrounds and parks to museums and historic towns, we've rounded up 100 activities perfect for kids of all ages. Read on to plan your next completely free family outing.

For even more no-cost fun check out our Guide to Free Things To Do with Long Island Kids.

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.

Latest posts by Gina Massaro

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