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Free Things to Do With Kids on Long Island in August

Kids will thrill to August Nature Sundays at Planting Fields Arboretum. Photo courtesy of Planting Fields
Kids will thrill to August Nature Sundays at Planting Fields Arboretum. Photo courtesy of Planting Fields
7/30/19 - By Gina Massaro

Summer is winding down, and on Long Island the fun doesn't have to end, especially when it's FREE. August brings more excitement with FREE festivals, arts and crafts events, concerts, and more.

Grandparents can enjoy a day with their grandchildren at the Suffolk County Farm. Artists big and little can appreciate the Huntington Summer Arts Festival. Locomotive lovers can ride on a steam train. If you want to squeeze in more family fun before school starts, check out these FREE events below. 

And if you're already dreaming of pumpkin spice and cooler weather, check out our Fall Fun Guide to get a glimpse of what to look forward to when fall arrives. 

 

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Kids can embrace basketball fundamentals at a Long Island Nets summer camp.
Kids can embrace basketball fundamentals at a Long Island Nets summer camp.

Free Things to Do in Nassau County in August

The Feast of St. Rocco in Glen Cove

Thursday, August 1-Sunday, August 4
St. Rocco's Feast, one of the largest annual celebrations of Italian culture on Long Island, takes over Glen Cove for five days and nights with carnival rides and fireworks, marching bands and magicians, and plenty of wonderful food. READ MORE

Drop In Summer Recreation Program

Monday through Friday, August 1-15
Join us for some free summer fun for parents and children. Program includes sports, games, arts and crafts, and more. Parents must remin in the park during the time child is participating in activities. READ MORE

Concerts at North Hempstead Beach

Sunday, August 4
Kids enjoy dancing to performances from country music to a Billy Joel and Zac Brown Band tribute bands, 70s rock and roll and more.  ​ READ MORE

Community Block Party at United Methodist Church

Saturday, August 10
Enjoy live music, food, bouncers, dunk tank, games, crafts, and more.  READ MORE

Nature Sundays for Kids at Planting Fields

Sundays, August 11 and 25
Planting Fields Arboretum offers activities and learning experiences for families and kids of all ages.  READ MORE

Long Island Nets to Basketball Clinic

Thursday, August 15
The Long Island Nets, the G League affiliate team of the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets, host three FREE basketball clinics throughout the Town of North Hempstead this summer. READ MORE
There's plenty for kids and families at Alive After 5 in Patchogue. Photo courtesy of the event
There's plenty for kids and families at Alive After 5 in Patchogue. Photo courtesy of the event

Free Things to Do in Suffolk County in August

Smithtown's Family Concerts at Hoyt Farm

Sundays, August 4, 11, 18
The Smithtown Recreation Department has scheduled seven performances for this year's free concert series at Hoyt Farm. Bring chairs, picnic dinners, and enjoy the show. READ MORE

Drop-In Summer Series at Harbor Country Day School

Monday, August 5
Harbor Country Day School invites families to stop by at any or all playtime events during its Drop-In Summer Series. READ MORE

Huntington Summer Arts Festival

Tuesday, August 6
The Huntington Summer Arts Festival brings a roster of exciting performing artists to the Chapin Rainbow Stage in Heckscher Park this year.   READ MORE

Alive After 5 in Patchogue

Thursday, August 8
With stages of live music and entertainment, dozens of vendors, food trucks, activities, and auctions, there is literally something for everyone at this outdoor festival. READ MORE

Sayville Summerfest

Friday, August 9- Sunday, August 11
Enjoy rides, live musical performances, art exhibits, vendors, a car show, international food fair, and more at the Sayville Summerfest.  READ MORE

Snapper and Crab Derby at Captree State Park

Saturday August 10-Sunday, August 11
This annual Snapper and Crab Derby held at Captree State Park aims to encourage children 16 years old and younger to discover and enjoy fishing. READ MORE

Long Island Live Steamers

Sundays, August 11 and 25
Chug on down to Long Island Live Steamers' twice-monthly Sunday public run days. Ride steam, diesel, and electric trains operating on 8 acres of scale tracks.  READ MORE

Grandparents Picnic at the Suffolk County Farm

Monday, August 12
This event is for grandparents raising their grandchildren. Go on a hayride, visit the petting zoo, and kids can make homemade ice cream with the farm staff. READ MORE
Kids will love exploring the Fireboat Firefighter Museum in Greenport. Photo courtesy of the museum
Kids will love exploring the Fireboat Firefighter Museum in Greenport. Photo courtesy of the museum

Free Things to Do in the Hamptons and North Fork in August

Photo Ark-Inspired Art Workshop for Kids with Shine

Thursday, August 1
Join Shine’s founder and director Aaron Goldschmidt and art specialist and Southampton native Christina Kane Sahr as they lead a workshop for children 4-12 inspired by the current Photo Ark exhibit. READ MORE

Space Fun at the Westhampton Library

Various dates from August 1 to August 24
The Westhampton Free Library invites children (grades K-3) to participate in several space-related programs in August.  READ MORE

Summer Craft Demonstrations at the Westhampton Beach Historical Society

Saturday, August 3
Watch experienced craftsmen demonstrate the fine art of traditional crafts. On August 3, enjoy basket weaving and creating corn husk dolls. READ MORE

Children's Art Workshop at the East Hampton Library

Tuesdays and Fridays from August 3 to August 30
Enjoy free printmaking children's art workshops at the East Hampton Library. READ MORE

Fireboat Fire Fighter Museum in Greenport

Saturdays and Sundays from August 3 to August 31
Volunteers conduct tours of this unique firefighting museum. Tour the entire ship, visit the engine room, and take in some maritime history. READ MORE

Dances in the Park in Greenport Village

Mondays, August 5, 12, 19, and 26
The popular village concert series presents a different act in Mitchell Park each Monday night during the summer months. READ MORE

Mondays on Main Street in Westhampton Beach

Mondays, August 5, 12, 19, and 26
Enjoy food, drinks, and entertainment in Glovers Park, sidewalk sales on Main Street, and movies and more entertainment on the Great Lawn. READ MORE

Alive on 25 in Riverhead

Wednesdays August 1 and 15
Riverhead's walkable downtown closes along Main Street for a street fair with live music, vendors, food, and entertainment that includes pony rides and a Bubblepalooza for little ones.  READ MORE

Southampton Concerts at the Park

Wednesdays August 7, 14, 21 and 28
Each summer, Southampton Cultural Center sponsors an extremely popular series of summer concerts in Agawam Park and at Coopers Beach.  READ MORE

Storigami : Storytelling + Origami in Southampton

Thursday, August 8
This storytelling session will walk participants through the many steps required to create a work of origami in the form of a story. READ MORE

American Revolutionary War Living History

Saturday, August 10-Sunday, August 11
The Westhampton Beach Historical Society hosts a free Revolutionary War Living History event on the Great Lawn in Westhampton Beach. READ MORE

Making Seashell Wreaths at the Westhampton Library

Tuesday, August 13
The Westhampton Free Library invites children in grades 4-6 to learn how to make wreaths with shells at the library. READ MORE

Brown Rice Family: Reggae/Ska/Funk Concert in Southampton

Thursday, August 15
Brown Rice is a world roots band jamming toward global solidarity and organic happiness. READ MORE

Movie at Good Ground Park in Hampton Bays

Thursday, August 15
Watch Night at the Museum under the stars at Good Ground Park. READ MORE

Maggie & the Ferocious Beast Creator Michael Paraskevas in Southampton

Thursday, August 22
Join illustrator and children’s book author Mickey Paraskevas at SAC for some storytelling and live sketching just before he opens his 40-year retrospective in the fall. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

North Hempstead Beach Park
Community United Methodist Church
Gillette Park & The Common Ground
Suffolk County Farm & Education Center
Westhampton Beach Historical Society
Shelter Island Ferry Terminal and the Greenport LIRR Station
Downtown Riverhead
Westhampton Beach Historical Society