KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sun, Jun 7: Deer Park Summer Craft Fair
Fri, Jun 12: Long Island
FunFest Sat, Jun 13: Butterfly and Bird Festival at Sweetbriar Nature Center
Fri, Jun 19: Father's Day
Dinner Cruise 2026 Fri, Jun 19: Liberty at Sea
Sat, Jun 20: I Want To Be A Vet 2 at Alley Pond Environmental Center
(Ages 5-7)
Sat, Jun 20: Strawberry Festival & Charity Fundraiser Sun, Jun 21: Harbes Father’s Day
Festival
Sun, Jun 21: Sag Harbor Spring Arts & Crafts Fair
Fri, Jun 26: Oyster Bay Music Festival
2025 - Multiple Locations
Fri, Jul 3: The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition
Fri, Jul 3: Celebrating America's 250th - Intrepid
Museum
Sat, Jul 4: A Universal Celebration of Independence
Sun, Jul 5: FourLeaf Air Show at Jones Beach State
Park Fri, Jul 10: The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition
Fri, Jul 10: Five-Dollar Friday! Shark Tooth Excavation
Sat,
Jul 11: Disney Finding Nemo Jr: The Musical at The Argyle Theatre
Fri, Jul 17: Sail On: The Beach Boys Tribute at Theatre
Three
Sat, Jul 25: How I Became a Pirate: The Musical - CM Children's Theatre |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: "The best thing about your newsletter," said a reader who met me in person at an event last June, "is the sheer number of things to do, and the fact that they're just packed in there, all in one handy place." "Thanks!" I said. I may have glowed a little. "And the worst thing about your newsletter," she continued, "is the guilt trip. I know
you don't mean to lay that on us. We can't do it all, so it means we read about so much we can't do. Especially in summer." She was right, in one sense, of course. June and July are the most packed months of the calendar: Kids are out of school, families are ready for fun, and our communities respond. Each local organization gets to post its own events on our calendar for free, and many are featured in this newsletter, so what's happening is right there in front of
you. But I get it! And I hereby remove the guilt. Ego te absolvo. Of course, good families try to expose their kids to great things, but no one has the time, money, or energy to do it all. This stuff needs to be spread out over a childhood, not packed into a single summer, much less a single weekend. So make a family bucket list for Summer 2026. An easy way to do that is to take our annual survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids, which is open through June 20; it has dozens of places to have fun this summer, even though you only vote for your top 3! And you should also use our 50 Ways to Love Your Summer article for ideas that require zero technology, zero travel, and zero dollars. Above all, go easy! Remember, summer is no time for grades! The only prize is the summer that's right for your family.
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site. |
Please click through to our 2026 survey to vote for your top 3 places to take kids... it will be used to compile our 2026 Top 20 Places to Take Kids on Long Island. Voting is live through June 20; believe me, winning a place on the Top 20 list matters to the people who
create amazing family-friendly experiences. Take 3 minutes to choose your favorites as your way of saying thank you... and use the list to build your summer bucket list at the same time! |
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Portledge School in Locust Valley offers an exceptional Pre-Nursery through Grade 12 education on a stunning 62-acre campus. If you want something, you have the power to make it happen: this is the ethos at Portledge School. A robust and accessible selection of course offerings provides Portledge students with opportunities to discover and explore interests beyond the classroom. What makes Portledge unique is how far students are able to expand these opportunities into passions that impact their personal and intellectual curiosity. Discover how Portledge blends tradition with future-readiness. Visit, inquire, or apply today at www.portledge.org.
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Urban Air Lake Grove will host its 3rd Annual Stony Brook Cancer Center Fundraiser on Sunday, June 7 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., honoring late co-founder Dave Wolmetz and supporting cancer research at Stony Brook Cancer Center. Families can enjoy a full day of attractions, including the Sky Rider zipline, Mini Go-Karts, Climbing Walls, Bumper Cars, Laser Tag, trampolines and more, plus raffles, prizes, games, face painting and the chance to meet Urbie. Urban Air Lake Grove is located at 3147 Middle Country Road in Lake Grove. Make advance reservations here: www.urbanairlakegrove.com
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Enjoy water stunt shows, midway rides and games for the whole family, and classic carnival cuisine for every appetite. Admission is free for everyone Monday - Thursday and $5 Friday - Sunday for grownups and kids over 36" tall. Check out the website for savings on rides.
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Long Island museums and historical societies from Brooklyn to Montauk are teaming up to offer the Long Island History Hunt, a FREE, educational scavenger hunt-style adventure at 26 locations where redcoats and rebels squared off during the American Revolution.
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Whatever you do, don’t let the Pigeon star in his own musical production! It’s not easy being the Pigeon – you never get to do ANYTHING! But when the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers (gasp!) late, maybe that wily bird CAN do something. Featuring an innovative mix of songs, and feathers, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is sure to get everyone’s wings flapping.
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Join us at Fairfield Properties Ballpark to cheer on the home team! The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, a Professional Partner League of Major League Baseball, and play their home games at Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip, N.Y. The Ducks have welcomed over 9 million fans, hosted over 710 sellout crowds and won four ALPB championships since beginning play in April of 2000.
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Tiptoe through Lavender Lane, enjoy LIVE MUSIC, Food Trucks Galore and shop from over 50 local vendors this year! Enjoy our beautiful photo displays in our Raised Lavender Garden Area!
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Kick off strawberry season with a day full of fun, fresh flavors, and unforgettable memories! Admission is just $10 per person and includes live music, a foam bubble party, vendor access, playgrounds, jumbo garden games, farm animal meet-and-greets, and unique photo opportunities, and more. Children 2 and under enter for free!
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GET READY FOR SOME SPRING FAMILY FUN!!! The Kiwanis Club of Wantagh will once again host its annual Wantagh Spring Festival at the Wantagh Train Station — along Sunrise Highway, between Beech Street and Oakland Avenue — from 10AM to 4PM.
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FREE but registration is required. Margaret Liljedahl will be presenting over 300 years of weaving arts; its pivotal role in American homes and significance in our early economy. Participants will have the chance to see examples of antique fiber processing equipment from around Connecticut and learn about how they have been used for the past 300+ years. After the talk, Margaret will demonstrate weaving live
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Enjoy thrilling rides and games and favorite fair food for the whole family at this annual event presented under the RFK Bridge by the not-for-profit Central Astoria Local Development Coalition. Carnival admission is free. Ride tickets are available on the midway.
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Our Long Island Rough Riders Women are ready for another exciting season. Check out the full schedule and start planning your matchdays at Mitchel Athletic Complex.
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Join the Massapequa Chamber of Commerce for our Annual Street Fair on Sunday, June 7th from 11AM - 6PM. Enjoy delicious food, great music, amazing prices, fantastic vendors, and fun family activities! See you there!
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The Locust Valley Chamber of Commerce hosts their annual Car Show! Take the day with your family & friends to view luxury cars, eat delicious food, participate in raffles and enjoy live music. Join us for a day of fun!
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Long Island area. From Arcades to Ziplines our Big List will help you think outside the box and plan the party of your kids' dreams! KidsOutAndAbout has dozens of ideas!
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Long Island area is back! You can search by date, age, or categories like day/overnight, sports, drama, music, theatre, arts & crafts, technology, robotics, horseback riding, preschool, & more.
Our guide puts summer fun right at your fingertips!
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Pick-Your-Own Fruit on Long Island Listed below are farms on Long Island that offer pick your own fruits, berries, and vegetables. Also flowers! And... to make the most of your experience, check out
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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