Spring is here! The flowers and trees are blooming and the weather is finally warming up. Here are fun local activities to enjoy with your family to make the most of this time of year!
Enjoy Nature
Take your kids to a local park to enjoy family time outdoors or let them run around with their friends to burn off all the energy they build up over the long winter!
Local Recommendations for Nature Excursions
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- Find a list of the best Long Island parks and playgrounds here. Sunken Meadow State Park has three playgrounds as well.
- Venture to Great River for a lovely nature walk at the Bayard Cutting Arboretum
- The Bailey Arboretum has its own Children’s Habitat which allows children to play, climb and explore in guided programs as well as hosting festivals and family nature walks.
- To take it up a notch for a fun family-bonding event, try a local ropes course where you can swing, climb, and admire nature from the tree tops.
Safety Tips for Nature Excursions
- Make sure kids are wearing the proper shoes for running and playing
- Go over playground rules to ensure safe fun
- Wear sun protection even when it’s not very hot! A sunscreen spray makes it easy to keep the whole family covered
Get on Two Wheels
Beat the summer crowds and start your family bike trips in the spring. Go for rides close to home, on boardwalks or take ferry trips to the local islands! Your family will be able to brush up on bike riding skills and come away with great memories!
Local Recommendations for Bike Rides
- Go for a spin on the Long Beach boardwalk.
- Make a day trip of it and take a ferry to Block Island and tour around by bike; learn about the best route here
- If you or loved ones need bicycle lessons, Professor Pedals gives private lessons for bike riding for adults and children
Safety Tips for Bike Rides
- Always wear helmets (parents included!)
- Equip bikes with bells, reflectors, and front and back lights
- Check a map before trying any new rides so you know what to expect
Get Out Your Grill
If you have barely seen your friends and neighbors over winter, now is the time to catch up! Meet up and try out that barbecue recipe you were drooling over in January. Bring some games for the kids and soak up the gentle spring sunshine.
Local Recommendations for Barbecues
- Visit a park with grills like Belmont Lake State Park and Hempstead Lake State Park
- Go to a beach with grills like Jones Beach or Heckscher State Park
- Montauk allows bonfires on most beaches as long as the fires follow the Beach Fire Regulations
Safety Tips for Barbecuing
- Keep children away from grills and knives; give them safe jobs away from the grill if they want to be part of the action!
- When barbecuing at a park, transport knives carefully, keep blades covered
- Always place grills on flat ground and keep sand or a fire extinguisher nearby
Springtime Sports
There are so many sports that start up in spring! Practicing baseball, lacrosse or soccer are all great ways to spend time with your kids and get out of the house. Other fun sports for warmer weather are skateboarding and rollerblading (it’s having a comeback!).
Local Recommendations for Sports
- Tanner Skate Park in Copiague and Oyster Bay Skatepark in Bethpage are outdoor skate parks for the kids to practice their skateboarding, scooter, or even BMX skills.
- Practice batting at batting cages like Batter Up Batting Range in Bethpage and Baseball Plus in Hicksville
Safety Tips for Sports
- Always wear protective gear: helmets, mouthguards, padding, wrist guards etc.
- Play on lawns that are free of rocks and holes
- Be sure to communicate, such as announcing you’re throwing a ball to someone before throwing
We hope you and your family a fun, active and safe spring! We hope you don’t need us, but we’re here if you do. Should you or your loved ones need a stitch or evaluation after an accident, our doctors are ready to assist. Download our contact card to have on hand.