Gina Massaro

One of the oldest hamlets on Long Island, Bay Shore's historic roots date back to the 1600s. The British armed forces used it as a headquarters during the American Revolution, and George Washington even spent some time at Sagtikos Manor. As the centuries went on, Bay Shore developed into a vacation destination for city-dwellers, and eventually housing developments took over. Still, modern Bay Shore has no shortage of family-friendly destinations worth a visit.

From Main Street to the marina, here are the top spots to explore in Bay Shore with kids. Find more family-friendly towns in our Moving Guide to Long Island.

Ropes courses, adventure parks and zip lines abound for big kids near Long Island, but did you know there's a tot-sized destination perfect for preschool thrill-seekers? Located on the grounds of The Adventure Park at Long Island, you'll find The Adventure Playground, a miniature version of the action-packed attraction where kids ages 3-6 can scale ropes, traverse log bridges, and even zip line.

This destination is a step up from your typical toddler playground, and its location, nestled in the woods, lends it some cool cred, while allowing tiny climbers to safely explore. Read on for details on our visit and find more outdoor destinations in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds on Long Island.

Whether your kid loves to build, climb, or create, there is plenty for them to explore at The Kiddie Clubhouse in Syosset. The roughly six-month-old play space lets little Long Islanders chalk a masterpiece, scale the rock wall, toss a bean bag into a cityscape, and so much more. Parents are always close by, whether they're watching from the comfortable lounge area or getting in on the fun in the play space.

Read on for more details on this new addition to the toddler play space scene, and check out our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces on Long Island for more fun places to play.