Rebekah Yahoves

Latest posts by Rebekah Yahoves

Affordable Summer Camps for Long Island Kids

Submitted by Rebekah Yahoves on Sun, 03/10/2019 - 12:45pm

Introduce your child to science through hands-on experiments and exploration at Discovery Science Camp at the Center for Science Teaching and Learning.

For kids, summer is 10 weeks that make the rest of the year worth enduring. For moms and dads, these two months stretch out like a lazy highway, waiting to be filled with activity before your home becomes a whining zone of boredom. Summer camp can be a significant investment, but some on Long Island summer camps are actually quite affordable; others offer scholarships and financial aid.

Here is our list of the most affordable summer camp programs on Long Island. Find more summer camp resources in our Guide to Summer Camps.

The Best Places for Pancake Breakfasts on Long Island

Submitted by Rebekah Yahoves on Fri, 02/22/2019 - 11:30am

Tempt yourself with the banana crumb pancakes at The Flour Shoppe Cafe.

Nothing would seem to get kids more excited about breakfast than pancakes. Thin, fluffy, smothered, or sugared, this delectable treat delivers a sense of warmth and hominess that can’t be topped.

So with National Pancake Day looming (March 12), we've rounded up our favorite pancake destinations in Nassau and Suffolk counties, and even one worth a journey to the East End. While you’re sampling these scrumptious local bites, check out our guide to kid-friendly restaurants, including LI's best ice cream parlors, candy shops, and places where kids can eat FREE.

Review: I Heart Mac and Cheese Is a Tasty Addition to Patchogue

Submitted by Rebekah Yahoves on Tue, 02/19/2019 - 12:00pm

Dig into a hearty bowl of the signature dish at I Heart Mac and Cheese.

Comfort food lovers have a new reason to lace up their sneakers: I Heart Mac and Cheese has made a cozy home on Long Island.

Soft and melty pasta can warm your tummy at the new location in The Village Green in Patchogue, with additional locations expected to open soon in Syosset and Bayside, Queens. The chain, with stores and food trucks in Florida and Georgia, is known for its healthy and zesty twists on the classic baked delight.

For more fun Long Island dining with your littles, check out our roundup of Long Island restaurants where kids can eat free, part of our Long Island kid-friendly restaurant guide.

Review: Holiday Show in Riverhead Lights Up the Season

Submitted by Rebekah Yahoves on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 1:30pm

Drive through the Riverhead Light Show for a magical holiday experience. Photo courtesy of the show

Let the spirit of the season illuminate your heart at the new Holiday Light Show at the Long Island Sports Park in Calverton.

Uncrowded and located directly off the Long Island Expressway, the display is sure to enthrall kids and delight adults with its scintillating light creations, inspiring music, and overall holiday exuberance. And for more merriment, check out the Magic of Lights Show at Jones Beach, the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County light show, and these great things to do on Long Island with kids during the holiday season.

Your little ones might also want to visit a Nutcracker or another holiday show or perhaps travel along a nearby Polar Express train while the air is cold and light.

New Light Show to Illuminate the Holiday Season in Riverhead

Submitted by Rebekah Yahoves on Thu, 11/08/2018 - 1:25pm

Thrill to the holiday lights as you continue along the 25-minute drive.

No one is more electrified by the spirit of the holidays than kids. This year, the Town of Riverhead is presenting a new holiday light show with dazzling displays sure to warm the hearts of everyone in your family.

If you are looking for a seasonal adventure that beats ambling through the neighborhood, this drive-through exhibit will saturate everyone with the holiday spirit. And for a full day of fun on the East End, check out the Long Island Aquarium or the Railroad Museum of Long Island before your twinkly excursion.

You might also want to check out the Polar Express Trolley Ride, departing from the North and South Forks beginning November 23. As always, our November GoList and events calendar contain the best in holiday activities across Long Island.

Where to Donate Leftover Halloween Candy on Long Island

Submitted by Rebekah Yahoves on Thu, 11/01/2018 - 3:30pm

Don't let that Halloween candy go to waste. There are a number of donation sites on LI. Photo by the author

Teeny toddlers, precocious preschoolers, and sassy schoolkids all know that when the leaves start turning to vibrant colors, it's time to dream of Halloween. Nothing is more indulgent than dressing up like your favorite hero, knocking on neighborhood doors, and asking for free sugary treats.

When the hoopla has settled down, many parents are frustrated by the amount of confections overflowing in their pantries, some of which will be thrown out before the winter holidays. Here are some fabulous spots on Long Island to donate leftover Halloween candy. And for more great ways to help the less fortunate, check out our list of places to donate gently used toys and baby gear.

Caumsett State Park: A Jewel for Kids on Suffolk's North Shore

Submitted by Rebekah Yahoves on Tue, 10/09/2018 - 1:30pm

On a clear day, visitors to Caumsett State Park can glimpse across Long Island Sound to the Connecticut coastline.

Parents with spirited kids know the value of time spent in nature.

Besides just being an awesome experience, nature and the outdoors are known to build immunity, lower stress, and reduce symptoms of ADHD. Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve near Huntington is a spacious waterfront parkland where tots can enjoy year-round fishing, hiking, picnicking, and more on Long Island Sound.

For more great things in and around Long Island's North Shore, check out our guides to Centerport with kids and family fun in Northport. For more outdoor fun, check out our guide to LI parks and playgrounds, including 15 state parks that are absolutely worth a visit.

Centerport With Kids: Fun Things to Do in This Harborfront Community

Submitted by Rebekah Yahoves on Tue, 08/14/2018 - 1:40pm

Stroll the grounds of the beautifully landscaped Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium; it's the crown jewel of Centerport. Photo courtesy of the museum

If you, like many Long Islanders, are a fan of colorful drives through the region's tranquil roads, you have likely seen glimmers of blue-green beaches clapboard farm stands, and more between Huntington Village’s shops and Northport’s waterfront.

You might even have rambled through a community called Centerport, a mini-peninsula carving into the county and back out into Long Island Sound. While you might not have considered it as a day-trip destination, Centerport’s winsome waterfront, cultural attractions, and enticing eateries make it a wonderful place to visit with your family. It is also a great stop on your way to touring Port Jefferson or even the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead with your tiny travelers.