James Smith

Latest posts by James

13 Best Swimming Lessons and Swim Classes in Atlanta for Kids

Submitted by James Smith on Sun, 08/06/2023 - 10:30am

British Swim School offers swim lessons across Atlanta for kids of all ages.

Swimming lessons empower children in the water, and Atlanta families have a number of options when it comes to individual swim classes, budget-friendly group swimming lessons, and even swim lessons that come to you.

We’ve rounded up 13 swim schools that are sure to instill confidence in the water without flooding your wallet! Your child will emerge from these swimming classes with important, life-saving skills to dive right into the water again and again.

100 Things To Do on Long Island Before Kids Grow Up

Submitted by James Smith on Sun, 07/16/2023 - 12:49pm

Learn to surf at Montauk's SurfLuca or another surf school. Photo courtesy of the school.

Check out these iconic things to do in Long Island with kids—including attractions, events, activities, museums, and more—that everyone growing up in the area really must experience!

We are fortunate in so many ways to live on Long Island. In what other region of the country can you pack your kids up for a morning train ride to Manhattan, then whisk them off later to one of the Hamptons’ most enviable beaches?

From Nassau County to Suffolk County and all the way to the East End, Long Island has creative play spaces, wonderful children's museums, farmstands ripe with flavor, great parks and playgrounds, over-the-top seasonal celebrations, and even amusement and water park fun. And that’s just the beginning.

With four seasons' worth of fun in our backyard, how do you pick 100 activities every family on Long Island must experience? Well, it’s not scientific. We have no algorithms to determine them for us. Instead, we rely on you, our Mommy Poppins Long Island enthusiasts, as well as our parent-strong team of local writers, to keep us informed. So let's not belabor this introduction; here is our childhood bucket list for Long Island kids.

55 Fun Things To Do in the Hamptons this Summer with Kids

Submitted by James Smith on Fri, 06/09/2023 - 8:10am

You can't beat the beautiful beaches on Long Island's East End. Photo courtesy of Montauk Yacht Club

So much to do, so little time: That’s an often-heard summer refrain on Long Island’s East End, where vacationers and residents alike struggle to pack as many things to do as possible into the 80-odd days between school years. We're here to help with our list of the best family beaches, state and county parks, pools, mini-golf courses, and even indoor options to explore in the Hamptons and North Fork this summer.

So, whether you're visiting the East End for the first time or are part of a well-established local family, have a look at this kid-friendly list of great summer activities. While you’re at it, check out our Famly Guide to the Hamptons and North Fork, and find more seasonal must-dos in our Ultimate Long Island Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

Long Beach with Kids: 26 Things To Do in the City By the Sea

Submitted by James Smith on Sun, 05/21/2023 - 7:53am

Long Beach offers sun, sand, and surf fun for the whole family. Photo courtesy City of Long Beach

Nicknamed the "City by the Sea," the eclectic enclave of Long Beach, NY, offers visitors a rare combination of energy and relaxation.

One of only two cities in Nassau County, Long Beach has an ocean vibe generally reserved for vacation communities. And yet Long Beach is less than an hour from Manhattan and 15 minutes from Jones Beach State Park. It is accessible by car via the Meadowbrook State Parkway or the Long Island Rail Road, whose Long Beach station is in the heart of the city.

In summer, the population of Long Beach swells with beachgoer s, surfers, sightseers, and fans of the city’s famous boardwalk. So pack up the kids, bring your beach gear, and work up a healthy appetite—there are plenty of family-friendly restaurants in the city—as you take in all this Nassau County gem has to offer.

Naples, Florida with Kids: 30 Best Things To Do in Naples, FL

Submitted by James Smith on Sat, 04/29/2023 - 11:40am

Naples, FL makes for the perfect family beach vacation.

A haven for retirees and those fleeing Northeast winters, tony Naples, FL on the Gulf Coast is a surprisingly family-friendly destination. Miles of sun-drenched beaches share the city with gardens, a zoo, nature centers, museums, and more, making it a pleasant experience for families looking for a reprieve from the theme parks and pirate festivals of Florida’s north. Naples, FL also offers unrivaled natural scenery and environmental wonders.

Here are 30 of our favorite things to do in Naples with kids, from beaches and baseball to the best kid-friendly hotels and restaurants Naples, FL has to offer. Check out our Florida Family Travel Guide for even more family vacation ideas in the Sunshine State, from Amelia Island to West Palm Beach to the Florida Keys.

Pinball Long Island Debuts in Patchogue

Submitted by James Smith on Mon, 04/17/2023 - 11:28am

Rows and rows of pinball machines await at the newly opened Pinball Long Island.

Attention Long Island pinball wizards, or those who aspire to the title: Pinball Long Island, a new pinball-specific venue in Patchogue, lets you test your arcade skills in a family-friendly environment sure to please the young and young at heart.

Pinball Long Island opened in mid-March along Patchogue’s bustling Main Street, the first family-specific addition to the downtown area since its renaissance began a decade and a half ago. The new spot is a fun destination on its own or a crowd-pleasing add-on if you're dining or shopping in the area.

Find info on other top-notch Long Island arcades and lots more in our Indoor Play Spaces Guide.

3 Days on Long Island with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Dad

Submitted by James Smith on Fri, 01/27/2023 - 6:47am

Long Island is known for its glorious beaches, and no visit here is complete without dipping your toes in the sand. Photo courtesy of Discover Long Island

Few places offer as many things to do as Long Island. In what other region of the country, for example, can you treat your kids to a morning museum visit in Nassau County, then whisk them off later to one of the most talked-about beaches in the Hamptons?

For the record, yours truly is a Long Island native with roots on the East End. I’ve lived in all three sections of Long Island before settling in central Suffolk, where I am raising my kids. Much as I struggle with the winter snowstorms, summer humidity, Long Island Rail Road delays, and seemingly endless parkway traffic, I’d never live anywhere else.

No, you won’t suffer from a shortage of things to do here, and I've put together a 3-day itinerary showcasing some of the area's riches, which include pro sports, state parks, seasonal celebrations, amusement parks, farm fun, and plenty more. And if you like sand on your toes, Long Island has some of the finest and most kid-friendly beaches in the Northeast. So the plan here is to introduce you to a number of must-do things when visiting Long Island.

Best of 2022 Long Island Kid Edition: Top Openings, Happenings, and Other Awesome Stuff We Loved

Submitted by James Smith on Sun, 12/25/2022 - 11:00am

Graff Lab opened the door on creativity and legal street art to Long Island kids this year. Photo by Jaime Sumersille

Long Island enjoyed several kid-friendly openings in 2022 that represented a modest return to normalcy for parents who longed for additions to the time-honored lineup of family-friendly experiences we’ve grown to love.

While it’s true that, at times, we leaned on Long Island’s beaches, farm stands, and libraries for another year of family fun, we also saw the doors open on new play spaces, hiking and biking trails, and family-friendly restaurants. Some of them were even FREE for the public to enjoy. And as these new venues opened, our parent-strong team of local writers was there to give you Mommy Poppins’ first impressions.

Here is a look back at Long Island's kid-friendly openings in 2022 that inspired us, elevated us (literally), enlightened us, but mostly just brought us together. Check them out at your convenience and know we will be here in 2023 with the skinny on all family-friendly things to do on Long Island.