Gina Massaro

Latest posts by Gina Massaro

Visiting American Dream Mall in New Jersey: 16 Fun Things To Do and Tips For Your Visit

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Tue, 04/05/2022 - 4:25pm

Nickelodeon Universe is one of the can't-miss destinations at American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo courtesy of the venue

American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is not just the tri-state area's largest mall, but it's the second-largest mall in the United States. It has top-notch attractions, including a theme park, an indoor water park, and even an indoor ski resort at Big Snow, as well as plenty of options for shopping, dining, and enough attractions to entertain you for days. Here is our list of the top 16 things to do at the American Dream Mall.

For more fun local escapes, check out our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

Nassau County Summer Day Camps for Long Island Kids

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Mon, 02/28/2022 - 9:00am

Make a lifetime of memories at Shibley Day Camp. Photo courtesy of the camp

Summer means sandy shores, ocean waves, pool noodles, and for many kids in Nassau County, summer camp. Fortunately for parents, there are plenty of great options for summer camps in Nassau County.

\Whether you’re looking for summer camps for your preschooler, sports summer camps for your athlete, or STEM and STEAM summer camps for your kids, we’ve found the best day camps from Great Neck to Massapequa and Woodmere to Oyster Bay.

For more options, including the best camps in Suffolk County, be sure to bookmark our Long Island Camp Guide and our camp directory, where you can search for summer camps by age, type, and community.

Age of the Dinosaurs Opens at the Long Island Children's Museum

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Tue, 02/22/2022 - 12:04pm

Little ones can create a dinosaur from a series of attachable parts.

Return to the Mesozoic Era at the Long Island Children's Museum, where animatronic dinosaurs like the stegosaurus, apatosaurus and Tyrannosaurus rex move and roar above visitors' heads. Interactive features make this exhibit one not-to-miss, especially for paleontologists in training.

Check out our full review below and don't miss our Guide to Museums for Long Island Kids.

Top Preschool Summer Camps Across Long Island

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Tue, 02/15/2022 - 2:58pm

Make memories and friends that last a lifetime at Beth Shalom Day Camp. Photo courtesy of the camp

Finding a fun, enriching preschool summer camp close to home that is a good fit for your little one can be nerve-wracking. You want your child’s first camp experience to be safe and memorable but not overwhelming.

To aid your search, we've found 14 preschool summer camps on Long Island offering a well-rounded summer camp experience filled with outdoor time, games, arts, sports, and socialization. Many of these preschool summer camps offer programs for older children as well, so siblings don't need to feel left out.

Remember: Every camp has its own philosophy and program emphasis, so explore the camp’s websites, call the director and, if possible, attend an open house.

For more camp inspiration for the preschool years and beyond, be sure to explore our Long Island Summer Camp Guide or browse through the listings in our Camp Directory.

A Bug's Night: A Magical Drive-thru Adventure in Roslyn Harbor

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Mon, 12/06/2021 - 12:50pm

Delight in the illuminated bugs scattered throughout the attraction.

Through the magic of fairies, your car shrinks down to the size of a ladybug to experience the dazzling lantern displays of A Bug's Night: Drive-Thru Adventure. Travel through 20 acres of spectacular lights, mapped projections, and animatronics at the Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn. Bugs are only part of this whimsical experience.

A Bug's Night: Drive-Thru Adventure is one of three lantern shows debuting on Long Island this season, and is the only drive-thru lantern experience. For other holiday light drive-thrus and displays, check out our Holiday Fun Guide.

Imaginations Take Flight at Long Island's Cradle of Aviation Museum

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Mon, 09/20/2021 - 1:10pm

Take a deep dive into Long Island's aviation history at the Cradle of Aviation Museum.

Exhibits at East Garden City's Cradle of Aviation Museum do more than merely teach visitors and dole out facts. While parents and teenagers can enjoy learning about America's aviation and space history, small children can enjoy a host of interactive features at this great Long Island museum. Aspiring pilots and astronauts: Get ready to blast-off to the Cradle of Aviation Museum.

Indoor Places to Play to Beat Summer's Heat on Long Island

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Fri, 08/13/2021 - 11:00am

Sensory Beans in Wantagh is an ideal destination to keep toddlers engaged.

Summer on Long Island is the best time for splashing, surfing the waves, and laying by the pool. But sometimes the extreme heat can make it hard to do anything outside with kids. Thankfully, there are plenty of exciting things to do indoors. Here then are our top choices for Long Island indoor play spaces where families can beat the heat with kids of any age.

For all things summer, check out our Summer Fun Guide.

Awesome Dance Classes for Long Island Kids

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Thu, 08/12/2021 - 2:06pm

Integral Ballet in Merrick offers classes for all ages.

Small and not-so-small jazz hands across Long Island, rejoice: Long Island has an abundance of dance classes with specialties in many areas, including fan favorites such as hip hop, ballet, and Broadway. Some dance classes even offer virtual instruction.

Check out our list below of dance classes across Long island that offer instruction in different genres, age ranges, and abilities. And for more inspiration, check out our guide to classes across Long Island for kids.