Gina Massaro

Latest posts by Gina Massaro

50 Best Christmas Songs for Kids

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Thu, 12/01/2022 - 12:00pm

It's just not Christmas until you hear Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You". Photo by Dennis Leupold

Christmas songs have a way of getting everyone in the holiday spirit. You just can't be a Grinch when you're fa-la-la-ing. Your holiday playlist might feature classic Christmas songs, modern pop tunes, easy-to-sing songs, silly Christmas songs—remember Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer?—or a great mix of everything. Singing Christmas songs makes decking the halls, trimming the tree, and roasting the chestnuts feel so much more fun and festive. We've listed all the greatest hits here, and linked to videos so you can memorize all the Christmas song lyrics and not just hum the chorus over and over!

Here are the 50 best Christmas songs to listen to with kids this holiday season, no matter what your musical tastes are. For even more holiday fun, including 101 Christmas activities and crafts for kids and the best kids' Christmas movies to watch this season, check out our guide to Christmas Activities and Holiday Fun for Kids.

Best Thanksgiving Movies for Kids and the Whole Family

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Tue, 11/08/2022 - 11:00am

Jim Henson's Turkey Hollow is a Thanksgiving movie full of cool creatures kids will love. Photo courtesy of the Jim Henson Company and Lifetime Pictures

Watching Thanksgiving movies is part of many families' Thanksgiving traditions, much like watching football or the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. And gone are the days of having to gobble up Thanksgiving dinner by a certain time to catch whatever special is airing on network TV. With so many streaming platforms, there are a variety of Thanksgiving movies for kids and families to watch at any time.

Whether it's an animated Thanksgiving special, a family-friendly football film, or even a holiday classic to get everyone in a festive mood, here are 20 of the best Thanksgiving movies and specials for kids and families. For even more Thanksgiving fun—including hilarious Thanksgiving jokes and fun Thanksgiving crafts, games, and activities—check out our Thanksgiving Activities Guide for Families.

Luxe Play Space WowMoms World Opens on Long Island

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Mon, 11/07/2022 - 6:53am

A view of the play space. Photo courtesy of WowMoms World

WowMoms World, which recently opened in Mineola, is a luxury play space that also offers services for caregivers. The relaxing space is set up so that children can play or take a class while caregivers or parents enjoy a manicure, a bite to eat, or even take a class themselves. This unique business–which currently has other outposts in Canada and Florida–truly has the entire family in mind.

Check out our roundup of affordable after-school classes for Long Island kids and other ideas in our Childcare Guide to Long Island.

Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns Opens on Long Island

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Mon, 10/10/2022 - 9:05am

Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns is back and bigger than ever on Long Island.

Woosh went the wind, out went the lights, and Rise of the Jack O'Laterns returned to our sights. After a 2-year hiatus, the must-see Halloween event is back. With the world's largest pumpkin trail and more than 5,000 hand-carved pumpkins, our family couldn't wait to experience the spooktacular event again. Here is everything you need to know about Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns and some pro tips for your visit.

Our Long Island Halloween Guide has tons more ideas for Halloween activities, and you can find more seasonal events in our Fall Fun Guide for Long Island.

25 Halloween Party Game Ideas for Tweens and Teens

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Thu, 09/15/2022 - 12:00pm

Tweens and teens are not too old to enjoy Halloween!

Throwing a Halloween party is a fun way to celebrate the spooky season with kids. But when you've got tweens or teens, you need to think beyond the cute Halloween activities and crafts and opt for more scary and active fun. In other words, you need to up your Halloween party game—literally. Luckily, there are so many great Halloween party game ideas for tweens and teens that will help you do just that.

Here are 25 Halloween party game ideas for tweens and teens to make your next Halloween party epic. For the younger guests, check out our list of 25 fun Halloween games for kids; for great Halloween activities near you check our Local Halloween Activities Guide, and for Halloween movies, games, crafts, costumes, and treats all season long, see our Halloween Activities Guide for Families.

Special Needs Programs on Long Island for Kids

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Mon, 09/12/2022 - 6:50am

Children can take part in music classes at the Adler Center in Plainview. Photo courtesy of the center

Looking for special needs programs on Long Island? Read on for some of the options in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Finding proper care, schooling, activities, and services can be frustrating for Long Island parents with children who have special needs. Special needs children often want to–and can do–many things other children do, they just go about it in different ways. Schools and classes that focus on those with special needs, or offer an inclusion setting, are an important part of a special needs child's circle of care.

For more information on programs, classes, and more for Long Island kids, check out our classes and enrichment guide and our Long Island Special Needs Guide.

7 Games Like Wordle for Kids: Daily Word Games Online

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Thu, 09/08/2022 - 11:52am

Kids can play these daily word games alone or with a friend. Photo by Sara Marentette

Even if you didn't get today's Wordle, there are plenty of chances for your kids to avenge your defeat with other games like Wordle for kids. While some word games may be too difficult for them, there are quite a few word games online for kids of all reading levels. These are brain-teasing, educational word games online that the whole family can conquer together; parents might even like these games more than the original. Playing with words and word games teaches a love of words, and kids who love words at a young age become lifelong readers and word nerds. The best kind of people!

Looking for more online fun? Check out 20 great online games for kids to play together and so much more in our Virtual and Online Guide for Family Fun.

Visiting Long Island's White Post Farms: 15 Things to See and Do

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Fri, 08/19/2022 - 6:47am

Goats love to drink the milk from bottles, bottoms up.

Visiting Melville's White Post Farms with kids means an animal-packed outing featuring more than just your usual farm friends. You'll find giraffes, zebras, camels, lorikeets, marmosets, and plenty more, all of which can be fed. Spring and summer are perfect for animal fun, while autumn brings a fall festival. White Post Farms is a must for animal-loving parents and their kids.

For more fun family outings, check out our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds on Long Island, and be sure to bookmark our updated Long Island Family Activity Calendar.