Gina Massaro

Latest posts by Gina Massaro

Visiting the Long Island Aquarium With Kids: What to Know Before You Go

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Tue, 07/26/2022 - 9:15am

Sand tiger sharks and nurse sharks patrol Poseidon’s waters.

Visiting the Long Island Aquarium with kids will give your family access to more than 100 exhibits and interactive experiences, ensuring a fun day admiring majestic sea life. Formerly Atlantis Aquarium, the Long Island Aquarium allows you to embark on an adventure to the lost city of Atlantis, where you'll be greeted by stingrays, sharks, seahorses, and even mermaids.

With different events and experiences throughout the year, it's always a good time to say hello to Poseidon and his friends.

For more entertainment inspiration, check out our Guide to Amusement Parks and Water Parks Near Long Island, and be sure to bookmark our frequently-updated Long Island Family Activity Calendar.

15 Seashell Crafts: Easy Summery Craft Ideas for Kids

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Thu, 07/14/2022 - 12:11pm

Seashell crafts are a fun way preserve beach-day memories.

Summer means long days at the beach building sandcastles, splashing in the waves, and collecting seashells. But what to do with all of those seashells when you get home? You can, of course, simply display them in pretty jars or bowls to remember your family beach days. But you can also step up the fun and create some awesome seashell crafts!

Here are 15 seashell craft ideas for kids of all ages, from toddlers to big kids. These fun seashell crafts are a great way to relive those beach days and bring out your kids' creative sides. For more at-home summer fun, check out our lists of 100 awesome art projects for kids, and 27 water games for kids to play all summer long.

Baby Swimming Lessons on Long Island: 11 Top Spots for Babies and Toddlers

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Sun, 07/10/2022 - 8:40am

Hop in the pool with the Goldfish Swim School for mommy-and-me swimming lessons on Long Island.

Baby swimming lessons on Long Island exist because babies and toddlers love to splish and splash in the water. Whether it's tub time, romping at a splash pad, or even dipping toes into the pool, it's important to keep our precious little ones safe while having fun. Swimming lessons aren't just for the big kids. In fact, there are specialized swimming classes made just for our tiniest and most precious family members, and we've rounded up 11 top swimming lessons for babies and toddlers across Long Island.

If you're looking for more mommy-and-me classes, check out our Long Island Baby Guide. You can find more great things to in the warmer months in our Summer Fun Guide, and be sure to bookmark our frequently-updated Long Island Family Activity Calendar.

The 16 Best Parks and Playgrounds for a Birthday Party on Long Island

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Fri, 07/08/2022 - 3:24pm

Enjoy a pedal-boat birthday party at Belmont Lake State Park. Photo courtesy of Belmont Lake State Park

Looking for the best parks to host a birthday bash on Long Island? Here are 16 fantastic options.

Birthdays: Our kids all have them. After deciding on the guest list comes the inevitable question of venues. Instead of heading to a party destination or organizing a party at home, did you ever consider a birthday party at a state, county, or community park?

Long Island is home to a host of beautiful and fun-filled parks that will make it a memorable day for your child. And a party at a park means less cleaning for you and no worrying about how many people can fit in your house.

Read on for our take on the best parks at which to host a birthday party. For more birthday fun, check out our Birthday Party Guide for Long Island Kids. Find more great outdoorsy things to do in our Summer Fun Guide, and be sure to bookmark our frequently-updated Long Island Family Activity Calendar.

20 Summer Sleepover Games and Sleepover Snacks

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Tue, 07/05/2022 - 12:50pm

Make cute and delicious Sleeping Bag Blondies. Photo courtesy of Taste of Home

Summer means hot days, no school, and lots of time to hang out with friends. With no one having to wake up early, there is no cooler or more epic hangout than a summertime sleepover. And what's a sleepover without fun sleepover games, plenty of snacks, and delicious desserts?

Here are 10 fun sleepover games for kids to play this summer, plus 10 delicious sleepover snacks and desserts. For even more ideas, check out our lists of 50 easy summer desserts and snack recipes kids will love and 25+ water games for kids to play all summer long. Then pull out the sleeping bags and get ready to throw the ultimate slumber party.

Bushkill Falls: A Family-Friendly Hike with Incredible Views

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Sun, 07/03/2022 - 11:00am

Hike the trails at Bushkill Falls to see the incredible view of Main Falls.

Dubbed "The Niagara Falls of Pennsylvania," Bushkill Falls lives up to the name. Bushkill Falls is a must-do for hiking and nature-loving families. Its varying trails with different difficulty levels make it accessible to most families, and every trail has an amazing view of the falls. The fun doesn't end with the hike, either. There are multiple activities and food options that make Bushkill Falls a popular destination for Northeast families.

21 Classic and Funny Campfire Songs for Any Camping Trip

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Thu, 06/23/2022 - 12:00pm

Gather 'round the campfire and sing some fun songs. Photo courtesy of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

Can't remember the lyrics to your favorite campfire songs? We've got you covered.

There's no better way to end a day in the woods filled with hiking games and camping games than sitting around a fire and singing some campfire songs. We've rounded up the most fun, catchy songs to sing along to during your next camping trip, from classic campfire songs to funny ones to campfire songs for preschoolers. Some of the videos even have the campfire song lyrics in them. So grab the marshmallows, stoke the campfire, warm up your singing voice, and get ready to sing these 21 campfire songs with kids.

Be sure to check out our Camping Travel Guide for Families for more camping tips and fun.

DreamWorks Water Park: Make Waves Year-Round at American Dream Mall

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Thu, 04/14/2022 - 5:25pm

The largest indoor wave pool in the world is perfect for even the tiniest swimmers.

Water lovers of all ages can tackle waves, water slides, surfing, and so much more at North America's largest indoor water park, DreamWorks Water Park. The themed water park, with well-known characters from animated favorites like Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, and How to Train Your Dragon, is but one of the cool attractions in the action-packed American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This is one record-breaking water park you won't want to miss.

Read on for details on our fun visit to DreamWorks Water Park, and find more wet-and-wild fun in our Guide to Theme Parks and Water Parks. We've got more day trip inspiration in our Guide to Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.