Thien August

Latest posts by Thien August

Top Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Nassau County

Submitted by Thien August on Sun, 02/23/2025 - 1:21pm

Speed down the slides at Bellmore's Planet Play.

Indoor playground fun allows Long Island kids to bounce, climb, exercise, and explore in any weather. Our list of the best indoor play spaces in Nassau County will give you a jump on planning an action-packed, interactive, and most importantly, memorable day with your kiddos.

From trampoline parks to play cafes, most of these spots are affordable and accessible for the whole family. We've added age designations where appropriate to guarantee a good time for all. Many locations double as party venues, so check the venue's website or call ahead for open-play options, details, and pricing.

For even more indoor play adventures, check out our list of the top indoor play spaces in Suffolk County, as well as our Guide to Indoor Spots and Sports Centers on Long Island.

21 Best Kids' Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Suffolk County

Submitted by Thien August on Sun, 02/02/2025 - 6:03am

Kids can hop on tricycles and ride around the indoor track at L.I. Salty Kids Cove.

The best indoor playgrounds and indoor play spaces in Suffolk County range from trampoline parks to play cafes to creative centers and museums. Many family fun zones are packed with action sports and ninja courses, best suited for bigger kids. While unique, smaller play spaces are perfect for entertaining toddlers and preschoolers.

Kids can jump into the action and burn off some of their endless energy in any weather. Many kids' indoor playgrounds double as party spaces, so call ahead for the public play times and pricing. Many locations do not allow shoes or bare feet, even for adults, so wear socks.

Read ahead for our top picks to plan your next indoor playground adventure. Also, check out our list of indoor playgrounds in Nassau County and our Guide to Winter Activities on Long Island for more ideas.

See Stunning Fall Leaves on a Long Island Nature Walk

Submitted by Thien August on Sun, 10/06/2024 - 11:50am

The Quogue Wildlife Nature Preserve is open daily and is free of charge. Photo courtesy of the Quogue Lake Wildlife Refuge

Looking for the best nature walks to go see fall leaves on Long Island with kids? Read on for our top picks for reveling in magnificent autumn colors across LI.

Fall on Long Island is perfect for memory-making with kids. The fall leaves and colors lend themselves to great family photos that will put you ahead of the game for holiday cards.

So, grab your hiking shoes, pack some snacks, and enjoy a family day at one of these destination nature walks. Be sure to check out our Fall Fun Guide for more kid-friendly activities this season.

16 Best Things to Do in Stony Brook with Kids

Submitted by Thien August on Mon, 06/24/2024 - 6:05am

Take a hike through Avalon Park and Preserve, which has outdoor artwork on display, when you visit Stony Brook.

Stony Brook is well known as the home of Stony Brook University, but it's definitely far more than just a college town: The walkable village is perfect for a day trip, with historic sites, museums, shopping, great restaurants, and fun recreation opportunities.

Read on for things to do with kids on a visit to Stony Brook. For more day trip ideas, check out our Long Island Neighborhood Guides.

Best Outdoor Swimming Pools on Long Island Summer 2024

Submitted by Thien August on Fri, 06/21/2024 - 10:19am

The complex at Centereach Pool offers lane swimming and a splash pad area for younger kids. Photo courtesy of Centereach Pool

The best Long Island swimming pools include spots in Nassau, Suffolk, and East End where everyone in the family can cool off and splash around.

We've rounded up this list of swimming pools across Long Island that are ready to welcome swimmers this summer 2024. Looking for more things to do this summer? Don't forget to bookmark our Ultimate Long Island Kids Summer Vacation Guide, which is packed with fun that's sure to keep you cool all season long.

Best Splash Pads, Splash Parks, and Water Playgrounds on Long Island

Submitted by Thien August on Sun, 05/19/2024 - 10:10am

Cantiague Park's splash pad offers water play for all ages.

Hitting up a sprinkler park or splash pad on Long Island is a great way to cool off on a hot day. A splash pad adventure takes less preparation than a trip to the beach and will still entertain and delight the kids. Just grab the sunscreen and let the family fun begin.

From Nassau County to Suffolk County, water playgrounds are great, family-friendly destinations to get little ones out of the house and active when the temperatures rise. Free water play is interactive and a perfect place to plan a playdate this summer. Some of the sprinkler parks are completely free to the public, some charge a fee, while others noted below are for residents only.

Read ahead for our list of the best sprinkler parks and splash pads to visit this season. For more kid-friendly activities, check out our Ultimate Long Island Kids Summer Vacation Guide, which includes our top picks for the Best Beach Playgrounds on Long Island.

Strawberry Picking and Strawberry Festivals on Long Island

Submitted by Thien August on Sun, 05/05/2024 - 11:38am

Fill your baskets with ripe strawberries at Garden of Eve in Riverhead. Photo courtesy of the farm

Strawberry picking season on Long Island is a treat the whole family can enjoy. There are many options for strawberry farms to visit and strawberry festivals to attend! We've handpicked some of our favorite strawberry farms near NYC for families to spend a memorable day.

Harvesting your fruit is not only fun, but it connects you with your food and supports local Long Island farmers. Long Island strawberries tend to be sweeter and more delicate than most grocery store varieties, so they also have a shorter shelf life.

Many of these strawberry-picking experiences depend on fruit availability and the weather, so call before your visit. Once the berries are ripe, they'll only last a few weeks. So read ahead to start planning your sweet adventure with the kids. Check out our Guide to Long Island Farms for more places to pick delicious fruits and vegetables while enjoying farm life!

Top Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces for Toddlers and Preschoolers on Long Island

Submitted by Thien August on Sun, 02/18/2024 - 7:10am

Once Upon a Treetop's interactive city is designed for toddlers and preschoolers. Photo by Gina Massaro

While many indoor playgrounds and play spaces on Long Island cater to a range of ages, some parents feel more comfortable when areas are designated for younger children. With that in mind, we've rounded up a list of fun and imaginative play spaces for toddlers and preschoolers on Long Island.

At most of these locations, children ages 5 and younger are the primary focus and they can play freely without fear of being knocked down or bumped into by older crowds. These venues also offer age-appropriate equipment and activities for toddlers and preschoolers.

For more fun seasonal ideas, check out our winter fun list for Long Island kids, as well as our Guide to Play Spaces and Fun Centers on Long Island.

Latest posts by Thien August

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