Long Island Summer Trends: 27 Entertaining Activities for Kids Amidst the Scorching Heatwave
Long Island offers a plethora of fun-filled activities for kids during the summer months. Here are some of the best options to keep your little ones entertained, both indoors and outdoors.
Outdoor Fun
- Water Parks and Splash Pads: Splish Splash, with its variety of water rides and the new water playground, Stingray Bay, is a must-visit. Another popular water playground is Eisenhower Park's splash pad in East Meadow. For a user-activated splash pad experience, head to the Children's Park Splash Pad in Rockville Centre.
- Beaches and Water Sports: Long Island's most visited beach, Jones Beach, is a favourite among many families. Older kids and teens can cool down with kayak, canoe, or paddleboard rentals or surf lessons.
- Family-Friendly Fishing: Discover a new summer experience with family-friendly fishing charters or at designated fishing destinations.
- Breeze Down the Boardwalks: Get the kids outside for some exercise on their scooters or bikes, along with an ocean breeze.
- Camping and Glamping: Enjoy cool nighttime breezes with camping or glamping in the backyard or nearby campgrounds.
Indoor Activities
- Jetsetter Kids Club in Lindenhurst: This new indoor playground and learning center offers open play, summer camps, sensory and social clubs, and party packages, focusing on fostering imagination, exploration, and holistic child development.
- Lil Steps Fun Zone in Selden: A 4,000-square-foot indoor play space for kids 10 and under featuring a massive playground with tunnels, electric slide, swings, climbing wall, and ball pit. It also offers sensory-friendly areas, a tech-driven art station, and an enclosed trampoline with a basketball hoop.
- Gravity Vault Rock Climbing Camps: Indoor rock climbing camps for kids ages 5 to 14 that provide climbing instruction, games, knot-tying workshops, belaying lessons, arts and crafts, team-building activities, and themed daily events.
- Q-Zar Laser Tag and Arcade: Offers exciting indoor laser tag and arcade games, making it a fun group activity for kids needing active play indoors.
- The Long Island Aquarium: Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the aquarium offers indoor and outdoor exhibits, special deals, and activities throughout the summer.
- The Cradle of Aviation: This museum offers attractions that will delight everyone from toddlers to teens, including a Long Island Retro Gaming Expo and an incredible planetarium.
- Nunley's Carousel: Located between the LICM and the Cradle of Aviation, this indoor carousel is a charming addition to any day out.
- Plaster Funcraft: Offers painting fun with a plaster craft or canvas, providing a creative outlet for your little ones.
- Public Libraries, Community Centers, and Select Mall Play Areas: These free indoor spaces offer a chance to cool off in air conditioning for a few hours.
- Cool Treats: From ice cream shops like Krisch's Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlour, Lics Ice Cream, and Hildebrandt's Restaurant, to the variety of options listed in "Cool Treats - Kid-Friendly Spots for Delightful Frozen Desserts on Long Island," there's no shortage of delicious ways to beat the heat.
- The Kids Bowl Free program: Offers free bowling for kids during certain times at locations throughout Long Island.
- Catching a flick at an air-conditioned movie theater: A fun way to spend a few hours out of the heat.
Remember, during heat waves, it's best to go out before 10am or after 5pm, and many parks and splash pads open early. Also, ensure your home is well-ventilated to avoid indoor heat stroke.
Enjoy the summer with your little ones on Long Island!
- For those interested in staying updated on the latest fashion trends and beauty tips, Long Island has a range of blogs and websites dedicated to fashion-and-beauty, offering insights into the best fashion finds and beauty product recommendations.
- Foodies will appreciate the abundance of food-and-drink establishments, from fine dining experiences to casual eateries, that cater to a wide variety of tastes and preferences.
- To unwind after a long day, catch up on general-news or immerse yourself in a good book from the home-and-garden section at one of Long Island's many bookstores.
- Sports enthusiasts can catch live games or keep up with the latest sports news, as Long Island is home to a variety of professional and college teams, as well as numerous local leagues.
- For ongoing self-development and learning, Long Island offers a plethora of workshops and classes in education-and-self-development, including cooking classes, language courses, and art studios.
- During the evenings, catch a live performance or movie at entertainment venues like Tilles Center for the Performing Arts or Southampton Arts Center, providing a diverse array of entertainment options for all ages.
