James Smith
James Stephen Smith is a seasoned journalist who transitioned from reporting at Newsday to a more relaxed life as a father and director of media relations at St. John's University. He manages the university’s messaging while also contributing to Mommy Poppins, a site he discovered after his third daughter was born in 2011. Fun fact: James nearly made it on Jeopardy but missed a Final Jeopardy question on art history—only to watch a colleague nail it and become a two-time champion.
Latest posts by James
The East End of Long Island has no shortage of coffee houses, where local artisanal flavors blend with Manhattan sensibilities to create some of the best caffeine creations. But where to go if you’re absolutely longing for a caramel macchiato (and don't want to drink it on the run), but are all wrapped up in mommy or daddy duties?
Along with kid-friendly eateries in the Hamptons and North Fork, there are also a handful of family-friendly coffee shops on the East End that will let you indulge your craving in an atmosphere sure to delight your little ones, and we've rounded up a few of our favorites. For more family fun in the area, be sure to check out our Hamptons & North Fork Family Guide.
Memorial Day may have marked the unofficial start of summer, but East Enders know the season doesn’t really begin until the end of the school year, which is this week! As students start their break on the North and South Forks, abundant summertime activities for kids take over. This weekend alone, you can treat your family to a car show, nature walks and a magic spectacle.
And for more fun in the area, check out our Hamptons & North Fork Family Guide.
When you think about the East End of Long Island, the first word that comes to mind usually isn't "cheap." So how can parents amuse their kids in the Hamptons and North Fork without inflicting too much pain on their wallets? Believe it or not, there are plenty of creative ways to stretch a dollar in this region. Activities like ferry rides, nature junkets and railroad excursions offer maximum entertainment value at limited expense.
Here are some innovative ideas for super-low-cost family outings on the East End. And for more things to do in the area, check out our Hamptons & North Fork Family Guide.
It’s Father’s Day weekend, and on the East End of Long Island that means it’s time for... strawberries! This weekend, all eyes turn to the big daddy of outdoor fests: the Mattituck Lions Club’s annual Strawberry Festival. Carnival rides, live music and, of course, shortcake herald the return of the strawberry in a way that has delighted families for 61 years. This is the North Fork’s largest fundraiser, with all proceeds benefiting Lions Club charities.
On the South Fork this weekend, Southampton celebrates its 375th anniversary, and a Father’s Day craft fair offers kids a chance to pick up a present for dad. With Sunday dedicated to daddy bonding, most of our picks take place on Friday and Saturday.
For more fun options, check out our Hamptons & North Fork Family Guide.
From North Fork trails that wind through wine country, to mountain walks in Montauk, the East End lets families explore nature’s diversity. Flowers bloom, rare birds soar and seals bond with curious onlookers, all in a mile-long stretch by the shore.
Parents hoping to foster a love of Mother Nature in their kids should check out some of these family-friendly hikes around the East End. Here you’ll find walks suitable for all ages, from young children through teens. Just remember: stay hydrated and be wary of ticks!
And for the best in family fun out East this summer, check out our Hamptons & North Fork Family Guide.
From history celebrations to marine ecology classes to creative arts and crafts, educational programs abound on the East End this weekend. Whether you're on the North Fork or South, you’re sure to find an activity that inspires your child’s intellectual curiosity—and maybe even yours, too.
Do you know from where the first Southampton settlers came? Or why ancient cultures celebrated the summer solstice? Or how horseshoe crabs survived the dinosaur extinction? If not, check out some of these weekend picks with your kids. And for more fun on the East End, peruse our Hamptons & North Fork Family Guide.
Things tend to be quiet on the East End in early June. With another few weeks until schools close for summer break, parents have to search just a bit harder this weekend for kid-friendly activities on the North and South Forks.
But fear not: There's still plenty to do in this culturally diverse region. This weekend, you'll find theater shows, agriculture programs and historical offerings sure to educate and entertain little and not-so-little ones.
Whether you’re here for the weekend, the whole summer or call the East End home, you’ll want to check out our Hamptons & North Fork Guide. And for fun on the rest of the island this month, take a look at our Event Calendar and June GoList.
Bookstores and libraries abound on the North and South Forks, and some of our country’s most popular writers have called the region home. But while our children may not yet be able to appreciate Truman Capote or Nelson DeMille, kids' storytime sessions offer them an introduction to age-appropriate literature—and a fun one at that. Almost every East End library hosts some manner of children’s storytime, but a handful offer their own unique approaches. We've rounded up our favorites. And for more activities in the area this summer, check out our Hamptons & North Fork Guide.
Pages
