Long Island Family - October 2024 by Schneps Media Digital Editions

Since 1876, Friends Academy has set the standard of academic excellence on Long Island. We are the #1 ranked private school by Niche.com and an independent, college-preparatory Quaker school, serving age 3 - Grade 12. Our timeless values elevate our outstanding academic program to create a unique educational experience, where your student will be empowered to inquire, reflect, and engage in real-world, life-changing ways.

Join us at one of our Open Houses! Scan here to learn more and RSVP

Upper School: Thurs. Oct. 24 | Middle School: Tues. Oct. 22 | Lower School: Wed. Oct. 23 All Open Houses begin at 9:30 am and are RSVP only; reserve your spot today.

COME SOAR. COME SMILE. COME SEE WHAT ALL THE EXCITEMENT IS ABOUT. ROCHESTER, NY IS THE PERFECT FAMILY GETAWAY FOR UNIQUE AND EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURES.

Did we mention the world’s largest collection of toys, dolls, and games? Pack your bags and hit the road for an unforgettable trip in a destination full of surprises. With fun for every family, every season of the year, playtime tends to last a little longer in our backyard.

© Carol Cain/Brave World Media, The Strong National Museum of Play, Loyd C. Heath, Jerome Davis

Feeling Like Fall

If you subscribe to our newsletters, you’ve probably been seeing the same picture I’ve had next to my Editor’s Note for the last few years, of my kids and me standing in the schoolyard after my son’s elementary school graduation. Considering my son is graduating high school next year, I thought it might be time for an update. My babies were, well, babies in that old photo, after all. If you’ve ever tried to get a moody teenage boy to pose for a picture — any picture at all — you’ll know why the new image to the right is just of my 12-year-old daughter and me.

I know it’s terribly cliche, and I hated hearing it too, but the years really go by quickly. If you are about to start the application process for middle or high school, then you probably know what I mean. Check out our Guide to Picking a Middle or High School (page 10) along with helpful directory listings (page 14) to help you get started on what might be an emotional process.

Side note, if you’re NOT subscribed to our newsletters, what are you waiting for?? Go to newyorkfamily.com to sign up now for our weekly newsletters featuring upcoming events and activities, local news and school updates, parenting tips and resources, seasonal event roundups and so much more. Go sign up and come back, I’ll wait!

A historical race for U.S. presidency wraps up next month, and regardless of where your vote lands, it’s a good idea to talk to your children about this important election. In 5 Ways to Help Kids Understand Politics (page 8), we’re sharing ways to encourage them to become politically active.

Spooky season has finally arrived and for

all you Halloween Heads, we’re sharing our favorite Haunted Houses (page 16). We’ve included both scary and not-so-scary ones to explore with your brave little (and big) ones. And don’t forget to set a day aside for pumpkin picking; we are sharing some great farms nearby (page 18).

Lastly, our cover this month (page 42) is Brooklyn writer, mother, and community builder LaTonya Yvette who recently published a collection of essays. In it, LaTonya writes of home, both in Fort Greene and upstate at The Mae House, a 200-yearold house she fearlessly purchased on her own in 2021, lovingly restored, and opened up as a rest-as-residency space for BIPOC communities.

Happy reading!

Jeannine

Share your feedback and ideas about family life in New York!

Email us at editorial@newyorkfamily.com and tag us at #newyorkfamily

Publi SH er: Clifford Luster

eDitOrial DirectOr: Jeannine Cintron

aSSO ciate Publi SH er: Erin Brof

aDverti S ing DirectO r: Stacie Goldberg

eDitOr-at-large: Donna Duarte-Ladd

e vent S manager: Shara Levine

Seni O r Digital eD itO r: Thalia Fernandez

eD itO rial aSS i S tant: Alexa Lutter

Partner SH i P manager S :

Lauren Alperin, Lauren Anchin, Joan Bergman, Mary Cassidy, Suzanne Cirigliano, Chris Cunnington, Lori Falco, Shelli Goldberg-Peck, LynnMarie Hanley, Lisa Herlihy, Nicole Miller, Janine Mulé, Nina Spiegelman, Gwen Tomaselli

marketing & Strategy DirectO r: Rosalia Bobé

marketing & e vent S aSS i S tant: Ashley Rivera

Sale S & marketing a SS i S tant: Elana Cantor

marketing aSSiStant: Lorens Morris m e D ia Sale S aSS i S tant: Anastasia Aktipis

art DirectO r: Leah Mitch

web DevelOP er: Sylvan Migdal

g raPH ic De S igner S :

Arthur Arutyunov, Connie Sulsenti

eD itO rial cO ntributO r S : Jana Beauchamp, Mia Salas

eD itO rial intern: Avital Kessner

conTAc T inFoRm ATion

aDverti S ing : (718) 260-4554

Advertising@NewYorkFamily.com

circulati O n: (718) 260-8336

Tina@NewYorkFamily.com

aDD re SS : New York Family Media/Schneps Media 15 MetroTech Center, Seventh Floor Brooklyn, NY 11201

Pre S i D ent: Victoria Schneps-Yunis

ceO: Joshua Schneps

cOO: Clifford Luster

New York Family has been awarded the PMA Gold Award for for Overall Design and Bronze for Website General Excellence.

5 Ways to Help Kids Understand PoLitiCS

By Marina DunBar

It’s never too early to start teaching kids about the world they live in, both locally and nationally. With the presidential election right around the corner and political discourse everywhere we look, now is a great time to not only speak to your kids about politics but encourage them to become active and engaged in politics on an individual scale. There’s no reason why children need to wait until they’re old enough to vote to have a voice. Here are five ways to encourage your kids to become politically active in age-appropriate ways.

Mini Elections

What better way to teach kids about democracy than to have them build one from scratch? Hosting mini elections at home or with friends can help children to understand the voting process as well as why and how democracy works the way it does. For young children, you can start with basic topics like voting for your favorite ice cream flavor so that kids get used to voting.

You can then start to introduce hypothetical situations and candidates to stimulate critical thinking. Maybe Candidate #1 wants to require all ice cream to have a cherry on top, but Candidate #2 wants to ban all sprinkles on ice cream. Who would you vote for and why?

Kid-Friendly Newspapers

Political awareness starts with a healthy media diet. Most of the sources that you as an adult read or watch the news might not always have child-friendly content, and the responsibility falls on you of when and how to discuss major events with your child. But there are several resources and news publications that are built specifically for kids who want to stay up to date with local or world politics and events.

These platforms are designed and written in a way to be accessible and safe for even young children. Some examples are:

• BBC Newsround

• Dogo News

• News-O-Matic

• Time for Kids

• CBC Kids News

Though all these news publications are demonstrated to be child-safe, it is always important to explore and familiarize yourself with a platform first and judge for yourself if the content is appropriate for your child.

Write Letters

Writing has always been great practice for kids (and adults) to organize their thoughts. Your kid may be familiar with writing a letter to Santa with a list of things they’d like to have, but what about writing letters to local

officials with a list of things they’d like to have done? Maybe they would like to see newer playground equipment in the park or more options for their school lunch?

Rather than just inquiring about it yourself, encouraging your child to write a letter explaining their opinions to the appropriate official is politics at the grassroot level.

Volunteer Work

Volunteering for causes or organizations that align with their values can help kids develop a deeper understanding of political issues and the impact they can have on society. These organizations do not necessarily have to be politically aligned, rather they demonstrate that caring about an issue means that you sometimes want to get involved directly with it.

For example, a child who wants to volunteer at an animal rescue will be taught about animal rights, and they’ll learn that a big way they can help animals is to support policies that help animals.

Student Councils

Just as school is meant to be practice for your future career, student elections are meant to introduce kids to political discourse and the system of democracy. Student councils, debate clubs, or community service organizations can provide a hands-on understanding of leadership, governance, and civic responsibility.

But even if your kid has no interest in running for office, encourage them to learn more about the students who are running. Maybe they even have questions they’d like to ask their potential elected officials. Knowing your options is the key to political awareness.

Your Guide to Picking a Middle or High School

By Jeannine Cintron & Mia Sala S

As the parent of a child in high school and another in middle school, I can tell you these are some important years. Your babies have outgrown their baby faces; your children are entering adolescence and soon, adulthood. They have hopes and dreams, goals and talents, and very bright futures ahead. With your support and a good education, there is no limit to how high they can fly.

A good education starts with a good school, and here in New York, we have some of the best options in the country, maybe even the world. New York offers many new and established middle and high school options, reflecting the diversity of educational approaches. From public institutions to private academies, charter schools, and beyond, the array of choices can feel overwhelming. It’s not the worst problem to have, when you think about it.

Recognizing the importance of finding the perfect school for your tween or teen, we’ve compiled an updated guide to the different types of school options available to students in New York. Our guide covers a broad spectrum of institutions, taking into account the changing academic and career landscape. Read on for tips and reasons to attend open houses for your child’s prospects along with some helpful websites and resources you will need as you begin the application process together.

Public Schools

New York schools place a strong emphasis on equipping students for future success. From middle to high school, the focus remains on obtaining diplomas, pursuing a technical or college education, and building fulfilling careers.

Public schools offer many extracurricular activities, internships, and volunteer opportunities, allowing students to explore

their interests and gain practical experience. The flexibility in scheduling encourages students to discover their passions. The commitment to diversity and inclusion ensures that every student can embrace their identity while benefiting from a supportive learning environment. Resources are in place to assist multilingual and special education learners, guaranteeing that no child is left behind.

As students progress through high school, they learn time management, balance between interests and requirements, college and career planning, and valuable life skills.

Charter Schools

Charter schools provide free, publicly-funded education to all children while operating independently. Charter schools have the freedom to innovate, adapting to students’ needs and experimenting with different learning approaches. Extended school days and years are common, allowing for comprehensive education. These schools support special needs students and English language learners. Clear performance goals motivate charter schools to prepare students for college and careers through enhanced

communication skills, effective time management, extracurricular engagement, and academic excellence. Many charter school buildings are brand new, with a more modern look than their public counterparts.

Private Schools

New York private schools provide middle and high schoolers with a wealth of options, from clubs and activities to meaningful projects. With spacious indoor and outdoor facilities, advanced technology resources, athletic teams, student publications, and summer programs, students have all they need to excel. The emphasis on individuality and responsibility empowers students to pursue independent interests and leadership roles, both in and out of the classroom. Smaller class sizes foster deep connections between peers and teachers, ensuring personalized support.

Boarding Schools

For a more independent educational experience, consider New York boarding schools. These institutions attract students worldwide, immersing them in a diverse and enriching environment.

Access to state-of-the-art facilities, including libraries, studios, and science labs, prepares high schoolers for university-level coursework. Leadership opportunities and college counseling resources pave the way for higher education success. Dormitory life offers a taste of independence and the chance to form lasting peer connections.

Catholic Schools

Catholic high schools offer a nurturing environment rooted in religious values. Students gain a deeper understanding of self, God, and community. With impressive graduation rates, college acceptances, and successful career out-

comes, New York Catholic schools have a strong track record. Co-ed and single-sex options are available, each offering a unique atmosphere. Students aiming for Catholic high schools should prepare for the Test for Admission into Catholic High Schools (TACHS) exam.

Jewish Schools

Jewish middle and high schools blend education with traditional values, fostering a holistic learning experience. Through Torah study, observance of traditions, connection to Jewish history, appreciation for Israel, and engagement in social and political activism, students develop into thoughtful young adults. Jewish schools emphasize learning inside and outside the classroom, with clubs, religious observances, and field trips enhancing the educational journey. Co-ed and single-sex Jewish schools offer choices to suit each family’s preferences.

Reasons to Attend a Middle and High School Open House

Open houses are so important! Once you’ve settled on a type of school and narrowed it down to a few different prospects, find out when each school is holding their open house and plan to attend as many as you can with your child. Here’s why these events are essential.

Meet the Faculty : This is an opportunity for you and your child to meet their potential future teachers and principal. The principal, in particular, plays a major role in the school and consequently, in the lives of the students. It is very important that you feel comfortable with this person being at the forefront of your child’s education.

Be on the School’s Radar : Schools often take note of which students attend their open house events and that could be a factor in their decision to offer your child a spot. Always be sure to neatly write your child’s name on the attendance sheet so they know they were there.

Get a Feel for the Surroundings : Ever hear of good vibes? That’s exactly what you should feel for a prospective school. The atmosphere, the staff, the location, the students – all of it should just feel right. If it doesn’t, trust your gut and cross that school off your list.

Assess Your Commute : The open house is a good chance to do a practice run on the

commute. You can see how far the school is from your home, how long it takes to get there, and what the surrounding neighborhood is like. At the open house you will also learn which transportation options are available.

Learn About Programs Offered : This is often one of the most important deciding factors when selecting a school. At the open house, you will be given an in-depth look at the programs and courses offered at the school. You can ask questions, meet the teachers heading up each program and learn about your child’s academic options.

Voice Safety Concerns : Your child’s safety is crucial. At an open house, the school will address any questions or concerns you have about security measures, emergency procedures, possible crime statistics and more. This is your chance to express any health concerns you have as well, and to learn the school’s covid/sickness regulations and preventive measures.

Learn About the School Day : At the open house, you will find out what time school starts and ends, when your child will be eating lunch, what her daily schedule might look like, how the periods are structured and other information about the school day.

See Which Afterschool Activities and Clubs Are Available : Most schools offer af-

ter-school sports, academic clubs, and other programs your child might be interested in joining. A school that offers a wide variety of extracurricular activities might play a large role in his decision to apply.

Meet Current Students : One of the best ways to learn about a school is from the students themselves. At the open house, students are often on hand to help describe the programs in which they are involved and what student life is like at the school.

Learn About The Application And Selection Process : Some schools require tests or auditions, other schools screen applicants based on grades or other factors and some select students entirely at random. At the open house, you will learn what is required to apply to the school and estimate your child’s odds of receiving an offer. You can also ask questions or voice your concerns about the process to ensure you have all the information you need to help them apply for enrollment.

Learn the School’s Rules & Policies : Some schools don’t allow cell phones, other schools have strict dress codes. If there is a rule you think will become an issue for your child in the future, or adversely, something you’d like the school to be strict about, this is a good time to find out – and decide if that makes the school a quick check off your list or a reason to bump it up.

The Green Vale School: Discover the Difference

the Green Vale School is Long Island’s largest preeminent private school for Pre-Nursery (age 2) to 8th Grade. Families from some of NY’s top school districts choose Green Vale for its exceptional academics taught in a purposefully joyful environment.

Founded in 1923, Green Vale has exemplified educational excellence, molding well-rounded individuals equipped not just for the classroom but for life’s journey ahead. Rooted in joy, the School’s unique approach cultivates intellect, character, and confidence, ensuring students extend their learning beyond the classroom.

At the core of Green Vale’s ethos lies a belief that early years form the bedrock of a fulfilling educational journey. In these formative stages, curiosity blossoms, creativity finds its wings, and crucial foundational skills are honed. It’s here that the dedicated faculty and comprehensive curriculum pave the way for lifelong success.

What distinguishes Green Vale is its commitment to tailored programs for each developmental stage: Early Childhood (Pre-Nursery–Kindergarten), Lower School (1st–5th Grades), and Upper School (6th–8th Grades). Each phase is a transformative experience, emphasizing not only academic excellence but also values like character, reflection, resourcefulness, respect, and community. From nurturing social-emotional growth and discovering new passions in Early Childhood to fostering astute thinkers and executive functioning skills in Lower School to developing social awareness and leadership skills in Upper School, Green Vale students are ready to conquer the next step.

However, the School’s commitment transcends traditional academia. It’s about fostering holistic development—where the arts, interscholastic sports, and service-learning blend seamlessly into the curriculum, instilling life skills, leadership, and a deep sense of community. At Green Vale, character education isn’t a subject but a guiding principle, shaping students into empathetic, responsible, and principled individuals.

Amidst it all, the School’s dedication to small class sizes ensures personalized attention, creating an environment where every student is known and valued—a community where individual strengths are celebrated and challenges are met with unwavering support.

In essence, Green Vale aims to offer more than just an unmatched educational experience. It’s a place where differences

are celebrated, joy sparks learning, and character development is as vital as academic achievement. It’s a testament to a century-long commitment to shaping generations of lifelong learners and compassionate global citizens.

See what makes Green Vale so different. Attend the Fall Open House on Saturday, October 26 . Visit www. greenvaleschool.org/openhouse to RSVP.

b uckley country Day School

2 I.U. Willets Road 516-627-1910 buckleycountryday.com cfortuna@buckleycountryday. com

Buckley Country Day School is an inclusive, diverse environment that nurtures the whole child and lays the foundation for success in high school, college, and beyond. Buckley’s mission, “Opening The Eyes and Awakening The Mind” is at the heart of its curriculum, which seeks to inspire and prepare students for a lifetime of learning. Buckley accepts students as young as two years old in PreNursery and admits students on a rolling basis through grade seven.

friends academy m iddle School

270 Duck Pond Rd. 516-676-0393 admissions@fa.org share.hsforms.com/1rFEE3iO1 T02A2ODMXLn0PA4aiq3

Since 1876, Friends Academy has set the standard of academic excellence and character development. They prepare students for college and life. At their Middle School Open House explore the Friends Academy difference. Meet their Head of School, Principal, teachers and students. Get to know their dynamic liberal arts curriculum, including robotics, math and science.The Open House is scheduled for Tuesday, October 22nd at 9:30am.

the g reen vale School

250 Valentine’s Lane, Old Brookville 516-621-2420 greenvaleschool.org admissions@greenvaleschool. org

Families from New York’s top school districts choose Green Vale for its exceptional academics in a joyful environment. Serving Pre-Nursery through 8th Grade, the

school emphasizes intellect, character, and confidence, preparing students for life beyond the classroom. With small class sizes and a holistic approach that blends academics, arts, sports, and community, Green Vale provides personalized attention and fosters lifelong learners. It’s a place where every student is known, supported, and valued.

the long i sland School for the g ifted

165 Pidgeon Hill Rd., South Huntington 631-423-3557 lisg.org info@lisg.org

For over 40 years, The Long Island School For The Gifted has provided an accelerated experience for gifted children in pre-kindergarten through ninth grade, in a nurturing environment where they will be both intellectually challenged and socially comfortable. LISG helps gifted students develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed for life. Emotional, and social needs of the gifted child are addressed whilst building strong character as part of the commitment to developing the whole gifted child.

Portledge School

355 Duck Pond Road, Locust Valley 516-750-3222 portledge.org/ communications@portledge. org

The Middle and Upper School programs at Portledge School focus on character, confidence, growth, and achievement. Students build the qualities, habits, and character that prepare them for lives of meaning and purpose. At Portledge, student discover the joy of learning, the support of community, and the foundation of critical thinking skills that will propel you to the next step of your academic journey. Open House: October 26

At Friends Academy, Class Size Matters

it’s easy for students to feel lost in any school setting. After all, school is often a child’s first introduction to the larger world outside their families. Putting them in a room with many other students and one teacher can lead to some children getting left behind. According to Learner. com, the average size of an American classroom is 21.6 students. Friends Academy believes that number is far too high.

The best way for kids to be seen and heard is to reduce the ratio of students to teachers. Friends Academy believes that each child’s growth, as a student and a person, is paramount. By keeping its classroom size to about 12:1, teachers can give the maximum amount of attention to each student, allowing them to identify learning gaps, and provide instruction tailored specifically to each student.

Another benefit of having fewer students for each teacher is that students participate more — and get more from — small group work. Having smaller classes means their voices are heard. Feeling heard, and seen, often means that their mastery of the material grows because they’re more involved in their own learning.

Smaller Classes Build Leaders

In smaller class settings, students are encouraged to take active roles in their education by participating in discussions, developing a sense of community while exploring leadership roles, and learning to truly collaborate with others.

At Friends, students develop close relationships with the faculty, who hold a total of 104 master’s degrees and PhDs and can adapt their subjects to students’ learning styles. This helps teachers build a better rapport with students throughout the school year. Teachers become mentors, imparting valuable life lessons that complement academic learning. Moreover, with a lower student-to-teacher ratio, building a healthier classroom dynamic is easier, with fewer distractions and a better learning environment all around.

Friends Academy students are held to the highest standards; in fact, Niche.com ranks Friends as the #1 private K-12 school

and #1 College Prep private High School on Long Island and ranks it in the top 100 schools nationwide. That’s because Friends Academy aims to instill a lifelong habit of learning in all its students, from Early Childhood, Lower, Middle, Upper School and beyond.

Limiting class size facilitates a sense of community where students aren’t only responsible for their own learning, but as part of a collective, are encouraged to collaborate and help — and be helped by — their peers

Founded in 1876, Friends is steeped in Quaker values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equity, stewardship, and service. The school is committed to a

diverse and inclusive environment, which offers students a wide range of intellectual, socio-economic, racial, and religious perspectives, while strongly emphasizing moral, ethical, and spiritual character development. The goal is to prepare students to emerge from their school years as active, thoughtful, and engaged citizens of the world.

The Friends Academy campus places students in a unique environment conducive to exploring their world and what it means to be a part of it. Located on 65 acres in Locust Valley, the buildings are surrounded by beautiful grounds that often become outdoor classrooms.

Friends also offers financial aid to all eligible students. Interested families are encouraged to experience all that the Friends Academy has to offer at a series of Open Houses this fall, starting with the Middle School on October 22 at 9:30 am, Lower School on October 23 at 9:30 am, and Upper School on October 24 at 9:30 am.

To RSVP to any of these events, kindly go to Friends Academy online. You can also schedule a private tour or learn more about Friends Academy’s outstanding Arts and Athletics programs.

Haunted Houses

Scary and not-so-scary ones in New York City & Long Island

By New york Family

What is it about Halloween that makes scary stuff so much more fun? Most people don’t enjoy being frightened in their everyday lives, but when October rolls around all bets are off! From decorations to costumes to events, spooky season means the scarier the better. As your kids get older, you’ll start adding haunted houses to your Halloween to-do list. Depending on their age (and fear tolerance) you’ll have to choose between scary and not-so-scary. As always, in New York, we have lots of options! Here are some of our favorite spook-tacular haunted houses in and near our area.

NYC Blood Manor

359 Broadway, Tribeca

Recommended ages: 14 and older

Housed in what is said to be a truly haunted building in NYC, this haunted house has approximately 1,000 square feet of themed rooms, corridors, and a labyrinth of passageways to maximize fear.

A Haunting in Hollis

211-17 Hollis Ave., Queens Village

Recommended ages: 13 and older

Dare to enter this 3-story haunted house as goblins, ghouls, and zombies try to get you as you make your way through mazes and experimental labs. If you get too scared, just say the safe word: “peanut butter.” Guests can also use laser guns to fight back zombies (one laser gun per group of six).

Slaughtered at Kreischer Mansion

4500 Arthur Kill Rd., Staten Island

Hours: Friday to Sunday from 7:00 pm to 12:00 am

Recommended ages: follow @thehauntatkreischermansion on Instagram for details

The name says it all on this one. Head to one of Staten Island’s most historic and spooky landmarks for extra scary Halloween thrills that will have you looking for the fastest way out.

Long Island

Bayville Scream Park

8 Bayville Ave., Bayville

Recommended ages: 12 and older

Amusement park enthusiasts will want to visit this spooky Halloween hot spot on Long Island. The park is like a terrifying mini village complete with a haunted mansion, fear-inducing funhouse, a temple of terror home to flesh-eating zombie mummies, and other hauntingly horrific adventures to experience. The park also hosts not-so-scary days for kids, where less scary versions of the haunted attractions are available.

Chambers of Hell

1745 Express Drive N., Hauppauge

Recommended ages: 16 and older

Enter this terrifying attraction...if you dare! Can you handle a laboratory home to plant/ human hybrids? How about a dark subterranean world where certain creatures are out to get you? Experience all this and a lot more at this Long Island haunt. The attraction is not designed for very small children.

Gateway’s Haunted Playhouse

215 S. Country Road, Bellport

Recommended ages: 12 and older at the Haunted House; Not-So-Scary Kids Adventure: 3 and older

The Gateway’s Haunted Playhouse on Long Island offers a top-rated Halloween haunted house experience. This haunted attraction is known for its professional actors, unique theatrical quality, and carefully crafted environment, perfect for the entire family. With a new theme, path, and characters introduced each year, families can expect a

fresh and exciting experience every time they attend. Take the whole family and even enjoy some time with your toddlers at the NotSo-Scary Kids Adventure, where kids will encounter goofy creatures and bewitching tricks...there’s even a treat at the end.

Harbes Orchard’s Spooky Night Maze

5698 Sound Ave., Riverhead

Recommended ages: All ages

During the day, this orchard’s maze is fun for all, but once the sun goes down, it becomes a spooky puzzle for visitors to solve. Just beware: You’ll encounter creepy characters as you make your way through the maze. Oh, and make sure to bring your own flashlights, as each party that enters the maze must have at least one (you can also purchase flashlights on-site).

Halloween House Long Island

358 N Broadway, Hicksville, NY 11801

Recommended ages: All This is an indoor, one-of-a-kind, multi-room Halloween experience that family members of

all ages will enjoy. Each room is curated by set designers, artists, and Halloween enthusiasts using creative lighting, props, and effects that bring to life the sights, sounds, characters, and traditions associated with the Halloween season with some interesting twists. It’s a one-of-a-kind walkthrough experience for guests, including a Trick or Treat Room, a Glow-in-the-Dark Room, a Beetlejuice Illusion Room, a Haunted Carnival Room, and more.

Restless Souls Haunted House Complex

301 W. Hills Road, Huntington Station

Recommended ages: Appropriate for all ages, but parents of younger kids can request the “Family Fright” option when purchasing tickets to receive a toned-down experience. Call for more information.

Prepare to be thrilled by a combination of interactive and up-close actors, props, and audio-animatronics. Shack of Screams is a haunted motel; Klownkatraz in 3D is a trippy and intense visit through a prison infested with killer clowns; the Dark Colony is a

Mommybites.com provides expertly curated resources for all parents in the New York area, including our most popular feature — our mom-generated nanny board — the best online source for parents to find vetted (by other parents), experienced nannies and childcare providers who want to work in New York City, Westchester, Long Island and Northern New Jersey. Visit Mommybites.com; we can’t wait to see you there! is now part of

horror-filled outdoor attraction; and in the Alien Autopsy Escape Room, you and your group have 10 minutes to find the keys and get the alien containment back in operation.

Schmitts Farm Haunt

26 Pinelawn Road, Melville

Recommended ages: Daytime: All ages; Nighttime: 8 and older; children ages 8-12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Those with young children can visit during the daytime corn maze on the farm; older kids who scare less easily should opt for Schmitts Farm Haunt, which offers axe throwing, zombie brains, and a nighttime corn maze.

Spooky Fest

1450 Tanglewood Rd, Rockville Centre, NY 11570

Recommended ages: All ages

The Center for Science Teaching and Learning (CSTL) celebrates Halloween with Spooky Fest at the Tanglewood Preserve in Rockville Centre, Long Island. The event features family-friendly Halloween activities, including wooded paths, special effects, eerie lighting, and characters along the way.

Pumpkin Picking!

Have you ever wondered what Halloween would be like without the pumpkins? Neither have we; the thought alone is scarier than those haunted houses where actors dress like serial killers and chase you around with fake knives. Thankfully pumpkins are a fall staple — a requirement, really — that is available all over the place. So throw on some boots and a cozy flannel and take your family to the farm! Enjoy a quintessential autumn day of picking pumpkins to carve into jacko-lanterns, display as decor, or bake up into a yummy treat everyone will love. Here are some of the best farms in our area.

Albert H. Schmitt Family Farm

6 Bagatelle Road, Dix Hills

Hours: Pumpkin picking typically runs late September-October, Saturday-Sunday and Oct. 11, 10am-5pm. Check the website for details.

Admission: Prices are TBA.

This farm has been a family business for many decades. It’s more than just pumpkin picking here. Enjoy hayrides, duck races, an animal train ride, and more.

Why we love it : It sells roasted corn as well as apple cider and apple cider doughnuts.

Andrews Family Farm

1038 Sound Ave., Wading River

Hours: daily, 9am-5pm

See beautiful flower and pumpkin displays, pick your own pumpkins, gourds and squash, purchase fresh local produce and baked goods, plus sunflowers and more.

Why we love it : On certain days, kids can feed, pet, and learn about the farm’s horses, rabbits, and chickens, take a tour of the greenhouses and farm fields, and take part in a hands-on experience.

Brightwaters Farms

1624 Manatuck Blvd., Bay Shore

Hours: Fall harvest starts Sept. 23. The farm is typically open Wednesday-Friday, 12-5pm; Saturday-Sunday and Oct. 11, 9am-5pm. Check back for details.

Admission: $20 on weekends and Columbus Day Experience the warm, serene atmosphere of more than a 12-acre countryside setting. Fall activities include hayrides, magic shows, and farm-animal feeding.

Why we love it : Concession menu options galore here! Enjoy roasted corn, jumbo turkey legs, fresh-squeezed lemonade, and more.

Dees Nursery

69 Atlantic Ave., Oceanside

Hours: Through Oct. 23: Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm.

Admission: $8.99 per family up to 6 ($1 each additional person). Individual activity prices vary.

Pick and paint your perfect pumpkin, take a ride on a pony, mine for gems and fossils, feed the farm animals, go on a spooky walk, enjoy freshly roasted corn, and more.

Why we love it : Plus, the nursery is petfriendly! Bring Fido (as long as he’s on a leash).

Elwood Pumpkin Farm

1500 E. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington

Hours: Sept 25-30: Saturday-Sunday, 10am5pm. Oct. 1-31: Monday-Friday, 3-5pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm

Admission: Pumpkins are priced by size. This farm is Long Island’s most western pumpkin farm. Unlike most other farms in the area, pumpkins are grown in the fields. You’re invited to pick off the vine while supplies last. Enjoy a wagon ride around the farm and a small corn maze perfect for kids (both require a fee).

Why we love it : This farm is also Long Island’s most western cut-your-own Christmas tree farm.

Fairview Farm

19 Horsemill Lane, Bridgehampton

Hours: Through Nov. 5: Friday-Sunday, 10am6pm

Admission: $12; $10 children ages 4-11; free for children 3 and younger

Pick your own pumpkins, gourds, or squash, shoot corn from a cannon, lose yourself in an 8-acre corn maze, and more.

Why we love it : Fairview’s corn maze spans approximately 2 miles of paths, with two bridges which allow spectacular views of surrounding farmland, Mecox Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean!

F&W Schmitt’s Family Farm

26 Pinelawn Road, Melville

Hours: Sept. 23-25, Sept. 30 through Oct. 30: Monday-Friday, 12-5pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm

Admission: $10; free for children ages 16 months and younger. Pumpkins are an additional fee.

Hayrides, mini golf, photo ops, and access to the playground are all included in your

admission at this family farm. On weekends, there’s even more fun, including pony rides, a petting zoo, haunted corn trail, and a haunted house (all require an additional fee).

Why we love it : Want a taste of Halloween but your kids aren’t ready for a full haunted house? The farm offers a daytime walkthrough of the haunted house, with the

lights turned on and no actors.

Fink’s Country Farm

6242 Middle Country Road, Wading River

Hours: Monday-Friday (pumpkin picking, barnyard, and play areas only), 10am-4pm. Saturday-Sunday (fall festival), 9:30am-5pm

Admission: $10 per person on weekends and

Columbus Day, $18 per person with hayrides and corn maze. Kids younger than 3 are free. $5 per person on weekdays.

Fink’s offers a wide variety of fall fun beyond pumpkin picking, including pedal karts, jump pillow, slides, costumed characters, corn cannon, kiddie train, pumpkin slingshot, farm animal feeding, and more.

Why we love it : : Feeling frustrated?

Shoot corn from a cannon or use a giant slingshot to send your pumpkin sailing. It’s therapeutic, we swear.

gabrielsen’s Country Farm

200 Herricks Lane, Jamesport

Hours: Daily, 8am-6:30pm. Fall attractions available weekends only.

Admission: Free admission to pumpkin field. Train rides are $3.

This North Fork farm features train rides for the kids, a giant pumpkin to play in, giant games, music, characters, and more.

Why we love it : There is no way you’ll leave without fresh flowers to take home.

Glover Farms

641 Victory Ave., Brookhaven

Hours: Monday-Friday, 2-6pm; SaturdaySunday and Columbus Day, 10am-6pm

Admission: Pricing TBA.

Pick the perfect pumpkin or take wind through a 10-acre corn maze. Meet some friendly goats and chickens, and feed them right out of your hand.

Why we love it : We love the family feel of this farm.

Hank’s Pumpkintown

240 Montauk Highway, Watermill

Hours: Daily, 9:30am-5:30pm

Admission: Pumpkins: $0.74 per pound. Maze Park Wristbands: $18 Saturday-Sunday and holidays; $12 Monday-Friday

Get ready for a full day of fall family fun when you head to Hank’s! It features more than 30 acres of attractions and activities, including pumpkin picking, three interactive corn mazes, wagon rides, barrel train rides, a jump pad, gem mining (for an extra fee), pedal karts, play structures, a giant slide, and more.

Why we love it : When your kids are done exploring all the fun here, stop by the farm market for apple cider slushies and handdipped candy and caramel apples.

Harbes Family Farm

715 Sound Ave., Mattituck

1223 Main Road, Jamesport

5698, Sound Ave., Riverhead

Hours: Hours and dates vary by location. Fall family attractions are open Saturday-Sunday and Oct. 11, 9am-6pm.

Admission: Prices vary by location. Harbes spans three different locations, each with its own exciting attractions. Explore three themed corn mazes, pick pumpkins right off the vine, stick around for a spooky nighttime maze, watch pig races, pet farm animals, check out the bee observatories, hop on a 200-acre musical hayride, see live music concerts, and more.

Why we love it : There’s something extra fun about picking your own pumpkin right off the vine, and not many other farms offer that experience (particularly those that also offer so many activities your family won’t know what to do first).

Hicks Nurseries

100 Jericho Turnpike, Westbury

Hours: Through Oct. 31: daily, 8am-6pm.

Admission: Free. Pumpkins are priced by size. Hicks boasts a myriad of fall harvest selections, including cinderella pumpkins, cheese pumpkins, mystic pumpkins, peanut pumpkins, acorn and butternut squash, fairy tale squash, gooseneck squash, turban squash, and many more. Kids can take pictures with Otto the Ghost (he’s friendly!) and walk-thru his animated story.

Why we love it : Fall foodies will love the selection of pumpkins for their baked food spreads.

Lewin Farms

812 Sound Ave., Calverton

Hours: daily, 9am-4:30pm; call to confirm availability. Pumpkins are anticipated late September to late October.

Admission: Call to confirm pumpkin prices; u-pick is cash only.

This fourth-generation family farm was the first Long Island farm to offer pick-your-own to Long Islanders. It now offers a variety of seasonal you-pick options, including pumpkins and apples, berries, vegetables, and Christmas trees.

Why we love it : Before you pick your pumpkins, head over to the farm’s corn maze.

May’s Farm

6361 Route 25A, Wading River

Hours: Pumpkin picking: daily, 9am to 6pm; fall attractions available weekends only.

Admission: TBA

At May’s, children can take a pony ride, have their faces painted, decorate their pumpkins, and even meet Elmo. Enjoy a tractor-

drawn hayride and make your way through May’s Amazing Corn Maze. Stop into the greenhouse to purchase mums, fall decor, homemade jams and jellies, and more.

Why we love it : The fresh roasted sweet corn will melt in your mouth!

Milk Pail Farm & Orchard

50 Horsemill Lane, Water Mill

Hours: Through October: Friday-Sunday and Oct. 11, 10am-5:30pm

Admission: No admission fee; pumpkin prices vary.

This family-owned Hamptons orchard lets you pick your pumpkins off the vine in addition to gourds and squash.

Why we love it : It’s perfect for those looking for a quieter, more natural pumpkin picking experience.

Organics Today Farm

169 Washington St., East Islip

Hours: daily, 10am-6pm.

Admission: Free

Pick your own pumpkins and gourds, purchase mums for less than $5 each, and enjoy hay rides, herbal healing walks, beekeeping classes, and more.

Why we love it : The moonlight pumpkin picking isn’t the scary or haunted kind, so even little kids are welcome to enjoy the farm under the stars.

Stakey’s Pumpkin Farm

270 West Lane, Riverhead

Hours: Through Oct. 30: Monday-Friday, 125pm; Saturday-Sunday and Oct. 11, 9am-5pm.

Call ahead if rain is forecasted.

Admission: Pumpkins: $0.79 per pound. Corn maze: $10.

Stakey’s Pumpkin Farm is a family-owned and -operated business nestled on the East End of Long Island. Farmer Jim is a thirdgeneration farmer, but the first in his family to have a pick-your-own pumpkin farm. The farm started in 1976 with just over an acre. It’s grown into a 26-acre field where you can roam and pick from 18 varieties of pumpkins straight off the vine.

Why we love it : The farm doesn’t just offer pumpkins. It grows and sells mums, cabbage, kale, cornstalks, straw bales, and more.

Waterdrinker Farm

663 Wading River Road, Manorville Hours: daily, 9am-5pm

Admission: Pumpkin picking area is free to enter. Fall festival: $20, free for kids 2 and younger.

Waterdrinker’s fall festivities include hay rides and train rides (on weekends only), mini golf, a sunflower field, a jumbo jump pad, corn maze, tractor pedal cars, and much more.

Why we love it : The sunflower fields are absolutely stunning.

White Post Farms

250 Old Country Road, Melville Hours: Through Oct. 3: Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm. Oct. 9-24 (plus Oct. 11), SaturdaySunday, 9am-6pm.

Admission: $32.95 (+tax); free for children younger than 15 months. Pumpkins: $0.69 per pound.

Fall Festival weekends at White Post Farms feature pumpkin picking, an animal farm, pony rides and train rides (both require an extra fee), sing-along hayrides, pumpkin painting, a variety of family shows, tasty treats, and more.

Why we love it : In addition to getting up close to the farm’s animals, kids can hand- or bottle-feed some of the animals (for an extra fee).

Woodside Nursery & Garden Center

134 E. Woodside Ave., North Patchogue Hours: Through Oct. 31: daily, 9am-6pm

Admission: Pricing TBA

In addition to pumpkin picking, crawl through the haunted tunnel, travel the Octobercation Trail, bounce around the Balloon Bounce, plus make scarecrows, play atop hay bales, get your face painted (on weekends), and more.

Fall/Winter Road Trips For Families

Now that summer is in the rear view, our eyes are fixed firmly on the road ahead. Road trips, that is! The fall is arguably the busiest season, so a family vacation is probably not in the works just yet. But road trips are a fun way to get your vacay fix in the “off-season.” And while everyone thinks the best weather is in in the summer, the beauty of vibrant fall leaves or a snowstorm in the woods will make the perfect backdrop for your family’s next getaway. Check out some great road trip options below.

Discover Central Massachusetts

Start the day exploring New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill in Boylston, MA with “Fairies Aglow” in October, then enjoy lunch in their charming café. Afterwards, drive around the reservoir to see the Old Stone Church, built in 1890, where fall foliage is a stunning backdrop for photos and a lovely stroll.

In the afternoon, journey through time at the Worcester Art Museum, whose 38,000 artworks include objects from ancient Antioch, European Old Masters, early American paintings, Japanese ukiyo-e prints, and more.

Craving a glass of local wine? Beautiful Agronomy Farm Vineyard in Oakham, MA offers flights, pours, and bottle sales, plus a delicious selection of local cheeses, crackers, nuts, spreads, chips, and chocolate in their tasting room.

Later, check in to the Publick House Historic Inn in Sturbridge. Nestled on acres of beautiful countryside, you’ll be greeted with warm pecan sweet rolls at the Inn’s famous Bake Shoppe. Choose a room in the Historic Inn, dating from 1771, or the Chamberlain House, a more recent addition.

Spend your second day at Old Sturbridge Village exploring the

200+ acres and 40 historical buildings of this recreated 1830s rural New England town. Be sure to stay for “Phantoms by Firelight” from 4:30-9:00pm on October weekends to enjoy spooky delights from carnival-esque performances and candy to storytelling by the bonfire. Or visit later in the season for “Christmas by Candlelight”, a unique look at the history of holiday traditions.

For information on any of these attractions, plus additional lodging options, restaurants, and more, visit discovercentralma.org.

There’s no other state quite like Rhode Island, and when you’re here, you can feel it. This fall, go from outdoor adventures to immersive history to delicious dining all in one unforgettable family trip! We invite you to stop by the Ocean State and get on our wavelength. VisitRhodeIsland.com

Frederick County, Maryland

Frederick County, Maryland provides a peaceful, relaxing and scenic getaway for families. History lovers will enjoy learning about Frederick’s part during the American Civil War, including battlefields, Monocacy National Battlefield and South Mountain State Battlefield. Families can take beautiful hikes through Chimney Rock in Catoctin Mountain Park or Cunningham Falls State Park.

Spend the day with animals at Catoctin Wildlife Preserve, or ride a themed train on Walkersville Southern Railroad. And with 20 nationally-branded hotels and camping sites nearby, it’s easy to book a stay.

For families traveling this fall, plan to visit fall festivals on local farms. Conquer the twists and turns of the corn maze, bounce to new heights on the jumping pillows, get hands-on petting and feeding the farm animals and pick out the perfect pumpkin.

Celebrate autumn by attending Colorfest in Thurmont, Maryland, one of the largest outdoor craft shows on the East Coast, on October 12-13. Explore amazing crafts, art, jewelry, clothing, and a variety of delicious food. Looking ahead, at the sailing

The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark

Experience a year-round escape in the heart of the scenic Catskills at the Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark, where adventure and relaxation blend seamlessly. Imagine stepping into a vibrant oasis where the temperature is always a balmy 84 degrees, no matter the season. As home to New York’s largest indoor waterpark, The Kartrite offers an unparalleled aquatic playground. Dive into a world of exhilarating slides, surf the waves on the FlowRider, or take a leisurely float down the adventure river—there’s excitement for every age and thrill level.

But the fun doesn’t stop at the waterpark. The resort offers a wide array of activities designed to thrill and entertain. Test your aim with paintball, find your zen with goat yoga, or channel your inner warrior with ax throwing and archery. Indoors, the excitement continues with a state-of-the-art arcade, a challenging ropes course, and a classic bowling alley—perfect for family fun or friendly competition.

through the Winter Solstice event beginning November 23, see over 25 lighted boats on display in Carroll Creek Park in Downtown Frederick. Go to visitfrederick.org to learn more.

ture, refuel at one of our seven diverse bars and eateries. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick, casual bite or a sophisticated dining experience, our culinary options cater to every taste. From hand-crafted cocktails to gourmet dishes, you’ll find the perfect meal to satisfy your cravings.

For those who crave the great outdoors, the surrounding Catskills offer stunning trails perfect for hiking, where you can immerse yourself in nature and take in breathtaking mountain views. After a day of adven-

Whether you’re planning a family vacation, a romantic getaway, or a fun weekend with friends, The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark is your go-to destination for creating unforgettable memories. With so much to explore and enjoy, you’ll find every reason to book your stay today!

Lake George, Warren County

As the last leaves of foliage descend to the ground, there’s still plenty of opportunity to keep that autumn spirit bright at Lake George in Warren County.

Take in the views of the majestic scenery firsthand in the Lake George Area, whether it’s hiking the nearby Adirondack Mountains, biking through the open trails, finding the perfect fishing spot, or simply taking a scenic drive to experience the vibrant fall foliage. After the experience of the great outdoors, grab your lederhosen and enjoy authentic German music and cuisine at one of many Oktoberfest celebrations.

Are you a sports fan or are simply looking for a fun family outing? Witness the next generation of hockey superstars live and experience high-paced action with another electrifying season of Adirondack Thunder Hockey at the Cool Insuring Arena in downtown Glens Falls. The season runs from October through April.

Winter in the Lake George Area continues to be redefined as a season of activity and merriment, thanks in part to the bundles of events and recreational opportunities taking place. Ski and snowboard down premier mountain resorts, go ice fishing on top of the nearby frozen lakes, snowshoe on the local trails and preserves, and discover more reasons why the Lake George Area celebrates the cold.

Embrace the holidays at the annual Adirondack Holiday Festival, complete with Santa sightings, family games, and more. Explore a series of immersive installations at the Lake George Winter’s Dream and awaken your senses. During the month of February be sure to

Explore MetroWest Boston

From beer gardens to apple picking, state parks to beautiful art, fall is a great time for a weekend trip to MetroWest Boston! Start at Hopkinton State Park enjoying gorgeous fall foliage while kayaking on the lake or hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and more on the trails.

In the evening, catch a play, concert, or theatrical event—like October’s “The Haunt”—at Hopkinton Center for the Arts. Get a great night’s sleep at The VERVE, with its fun and funky pop art décor, or Aloft with their pool tables and lobby games.

In the morning, visit the Danforth Art Museum, a jewel box housing 3,500+ art pieces, including groundbreaking sculptures depicting the African and African American experience by Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller.

No visit is complete without stopping at legendary Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers, one of 17 breweries in MetroWest, to enjoy their Pumpkin Crop Lager with a schnitzel sandwich. Afterwards, spend a few hours in Level99’s 50+ mental and physical escape rooms and challenges.

The next day, tour the Wayside Inn. The oldest inn in America’s 100-acre property includes the Old Barn farm stand with antique farming tools, the historic Grist Mill, and beautiful grounds containing the Longfellow Memorial Garden, the Redstone Schoolhouse from “Mary Had a Little Lamb”, the Martha-Mary Chapel, and Josephine’s Pond for fishing. Stay for a delicious gourmet meal in their historic dining room.

attend the Brant Lake and Lake George Winter Carnivals where you can participate in various activities such as Outhouse Races, Firework Displays, the infamous Polar Plunge, and more.

Rake in the remainder of Fall Fun before sledding into a wonderland of Winter Events and Activities in the Lake George Area.

Spend the afternoon at the American Heritage Museum, where your tour starts in a WWI trench where a nurse explains what it was like on the Front while bombs explode above you and the floor shakes. This extraordinary museum features one-of-a-kind historic aircraft, tanks, and cars, immersive exhibits and living history events. Afterwards, wander the charming shops and boutiques of downtown Hudson.

For information on these attractions, plus additional lodging options, restaurants, and more, visit metrowestvisitors.org.

North Central Massachusetts

From fall foliage to harvest festivals, applepicking to glorious hikes, the cooler days of autumn are a great time to visit north central Massachusetts. Start your weekend trip at the beautiful Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, housing historical collections of Shaker material, Hudson River and New England landscape painting, folk portraits, and indigenous art and artifacts on a glorious 210-acre landscape with stunning views and miles of walking trails.

Check in to Great Wolf Lodge New England in Fitchburg in the afternoon for an adventure all its own. Let the kids play in the massive 84-degree indoor waterpark, exclusive to guests. The fun continues throughout the resort: battle a dragon while playing MagiQuest, test your skills at the Northern Lights Arcade, challenge the indoor ropes course and come together for nightly Story Time.

foliage by hiking to the mountain’s summit for a scenic 4-state view.

After dinner, head to Groton Hill Music Center for an amazing folk, jazz, classical or Broadway concert, then back to the Lodge for a great night’s sleep.

Start day two at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area or Wachusett Mountain State Reservation in Princeton, where there’s no shortage of seasonal festivals, from Oktoberfest to Apple Fest, or take in the stunning

Rhode Island

Just over 3 hours from Manhattan, Rhode Island welcomes NYC families every fall with a myriad of family-friendly things to do. The state is 37 miles wide and 48 miles long, so there’s much to explore in just one trip!

If your family loves animals, head over to the Roger Williams Park Zoo, home to over 100 rare and fascinating species from around the world. Kids love petting the armadillos and seeing New England’s only Komodo dragon.

Rhode Island boasts nearly 400 miles of beautiful shoreline, with beaches, playgrounds, bike paths, picnic areas, and tons of delicious food options. Spend an afternoon strolling through museums and stopping for a refreshing treat at an ice cream shop. The Providence Children’s Museum is a family favorite.

There are always exciting events happening in Rhode Island to plan your trip around. This fall’s lineup includes the Rogue Island Comedy Festival, Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival, Norman Bird Sanctuary's 50th Anniversary Harvest Fair, Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, Scituate Art Festival, Autumnfest in Woonsocket,

In the afternoon, explore Davis Farmland in Sterling, the ultimate hands-on discovery farm for kids. Pet, cuddle, feed and groom the largest sanctuary of heritage farm animals in North America, or play pretend in Imagine Acres and Adventure Land. Everyone will love harvesting apples and pumpkins in the orchard.

For information on any of these attractions, other farms and orchards, plus additional lodging options, restaurants, and more, visit www.visitnorthcentral.com.

Newport Restaurant Week, and the Annual Newport Illuminated Boat Parade, to name a few. Go to VisitRhodeIsland.com to learn more.

Where the mountains wear blankets of silent,

warming winter wanderers. Where time seems to waiver between nostalgia and now. For generations, families and

Photo Credit: Kacey O’Brien | Historic photo courtesy of Chapman Museum

Rochester

Fall is one of the best times of the year to visit Rochester and the Finger Lakes! Rochester is home to over 75 experiences for families, all within an hour’s drive of the city. It’s easy to get to, and even easier to get around. Most of the town’s greatest offerings are no more than 15 minutes away from one another.

Enjoy stunning fall foliage views throughout the city and surrounding areas, including the Erie Canal and Genesee River. Experience family fun on the farm at one of many agritourism experiences in the area, including: Wickham Farms, Stokoe Farms and Long Acre Farms. Pick a pumpkin or apple, and experience fall harvest traditions, celebrations, corn mazes and farm activities at these local spots.

Key among these attractions is The Strong National Museum of Play -- the only museum in the world dedicated to the exploration of all things PLAY. The Strong is home to the largest collection of toys, dolls and games in the world, as well as the National Toy Hall of Fame and the World Video Game Hall of Fame. The Strong is a true international destination and is the largest year-round cultural attraction in upstate New York.

Another must-visit museum is the Genesee Country Village & Museum, a 19th-century village which is open year-round but features a special focus on seasonal events around Halloween and the Holidays. This includes the annual “A Walk in the Dark,” which features candlelit tours of the buildings complete with ghost stories.

As fall progresses and winter arrives, there are many indoor

Sullivan Catskills

The only thing better than sweater weather in the Northeast is enjoying it in New York’s Sullivan Catskills. Plan to embark on an adventure to this renowned vacationland, just 90 miles from New York City, for a haven full of vibrant small-town charm.

The countryside becomes a stunning kaleidoscope during fall foliage season. The colorful Sullivan Catskills Dove Trail amplifies leaf-peeping. It’s a collection of 75+ hand-painted Dove sculptures— in tribute to the Woodstock Music and Arts Festival held here in 1969. To guide you to each dove location, download the trail map at SullivanCatskills.com or find each dove’s location on the free Sullivan Catskills Go app. The first dove is at Bethel Woods Center for Arts, the site of the Woodstock festival, where you can plan a family day around Harvest Festival every Sunday through October 6. It’s a farmers’ and artists’ market featuring the region’s bounty, talent, and beauty. Other family-friendly activities include pumpkin picking at Cunningham Family Farms, apple picking at Majestic Farm, and Alpaca Walks at Buck Brook Alpacas.

As the trees settle into dormancy and the weather turns colder, Halloween and the holiday season come to life in the Sullivan Catskills. At Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Peace, Love & Pumpkins, an enchanting walk-through Halloween experience and marketplace runs from October 11-26. Then, beginning November 29 and running through December 29, it’s the Peace, Love & Lights drivethrough holiday light show (with walk-only Mondays).

There is so much more to explore and experience— artisanal

experiences and activities - or ways to get outside! Enjoy skiing or winter walks at a Rochester park. Visit Seneca Park Zoo (open year-round), the RMSC Museum & Science Center, and the RMSC Planetarium.

Around the holidays, Roc Holiday Village brings the magic of the holiday season to downtown Rochester. The George Eastman Museum offers special holiday programs and events, including Sweet Creations Gingerbread House Display, a favorite for all ages. Enjoy holiday traditions like The Nutcracker performed by the Rochester City Ballet, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Holiday Pops, breakfasts with Santa, holiday shopping, and light displays just to name a few.

shopping, farmers’ markets, restaurants, art galleries, and fall festivals— throughout the charming small towns of Wurtsboro, Mountaindale, Liberty, Bethel, Jeffersonville, Livingston Manor, Callicoon, Roscoe, and others. With all there is to do here, you’ll be looking for a place to stay. The full-service resorts Villa Roma and the Kartrite Resort and Indoor Waterpark cater to family fun year-round. If self-catering appeals to your family’s needs, vacation rentals are plentiful, too. To book an autumn visit and plan your itinerary, visit SullivanCatskills.com.

Explore Western Mass

In a beautiful corner of classic New England, dotted with dozens of unique attractions and buzzing with cool college vibes, lies picturesque Western Mass, home to some of the most beautiful scenery in all of the northeast.

Long celebrated as a “triple threat” destination, Western Mass bursts with top attractions and provides easy access to versatile recreation for a superb dollar value. Must-see attractions include the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Yankee Candle Village, Six Flags New England, MGM Springfield and the Springfield Museum, and The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum. Major events like the Big E, IRONMAN 70.3 Western Mass and Bright Nights at Forest Park, along with craft fairs, sporting events and the arts, are seasonal favorites.

Western Mass lets visitors mix history with family fun, pair cool cafes with the great outdoors, and savor equal parts outdoor adventure and funky antiques. Surprises can be found region-wide. Perfectly positioned where Interstates 90 and 91 meet, Western Mass is rightly regarded as the “Crossroads of New

England,” and New York City is less than three hours away. The region is also accessible by train and Peter Pan Bus Lines. Learn more at explorewesternmass.com.

Dave & Buster’s

From grown-ups to kids, everybody needs a place to let loose and have limitless fun. Dave & Buster’s has entered the chat. Pull up with the whole family and experience a sea of 100+ arcade games in D&B’s epic Midway. Whether you’re letting the kids win or showing them that you still got it, D&B has games for days, including virtual reality, racing games, bigname titles, arcade classics, and more!

One thing they don’t play about is food, so you know their menu is filled to the brim ith top tier, “leave-the-plate-clean” food. Whether you’re feeling snacky, fancy or something in between, D&B has all kinds of bites for all kinds of vibes.

While the kids mash buttons and stack up tickets, parents can kick back back with a cold one and watch the game on the big screen. From brews to a proper glass of cab, the bar stays stocked.

If you are looking for a place to host a fall birthday party, anniversary celebration, corporate happy hour, employee appreciation, or any other type of event, D&B’s professional planners will make recommendations for even the pickiest of palates. From groups of ten to two thousand, Dave &

Fall/Winter Experiences

By New york Family

The fall is a favorite for many people, welcoming families outdoors for autumnal celebrations in the cool, crisp air. It’s definitely a good time to enjoy being out and about with your family before the winter doldrums set in (it’s only October, we still have time). This means it’s time to enjoy all the seasonal offerings we are lucky to have in New York!

Whether you’re eager to go full Harvest mode with the family this season, like Halloween events, pumpkin-picking or simply taking advantage of all the unique spots to visit for a day of adventure, our autumn experiences are ready for you and your family this fall, so enjoy!

Buster’s is the perfect place to make unforgettable memories with your friends, family, youth groups, or co-workers. From Chef-crafted banquets to unlimited video game play, they have all the details covered.

INTER_ Art Experience

This fall, embark on an enchanting journey of self-discovery at INTER_, an immersive art experience where ancient wisdom meets techenabled art. Visitors of all ages are welcome to explore the labyrinth of otherworldly environments featuring two floors of interactive and generative exhibits.

INTER_ creates futuristic outposts that push the boundaries of art and selfdiscovery, helping humans find, foster, and share genuine joy and curiosity while losing themselves in new worlds. Partnering with artists, engineers, technologists, and visionaries from all over the Earth, INTER_ combines interdimensional wisdom with human creativity to encourage every selfexplorer to embrace the magic of art and find their power.

At INTER_, the opportunities are endless, and the experience is one-of-a-kind. Connect with the beauty, laughter, and power that lies within on your journey through INTER_.

INTER_ is located in SoHo, NYC at 415 Broadway. The experience is accessible for all abilities and ages. Tickets are on sale now at

interiam.co/tickets. Follow along on Instagram @inter__iam, where you’ll get a sneak peak at some of INTER_’s awe-inspiring imagery.

Belle da Costa Greene: A Librarian's Legacy at the Morgan Library and Museum

To mark the 2024 centennial of its life as a public institution, the Morgan Library & Museum will present a major exhibition devoted to the life and career of its inaugural director, Belle da Costa Greene. Widely recognized as an authority on illuminated manuscripts and deeply respected as a cultural heritage executive, Greene was one of the most prominent librarians in American history. She was the daughter of Richard T. Greener, the first Black graduate of Harvard College, and was at birth known by a different name: Belle Marion Greener. After her parents separated in the 1890s, her mother changed the family surname to Greene and the family began to pass as White in a racist and segregated America.

Greene is well known for the instrumental role she played in building the exceptional collection of rare books and manuscripts formed by American financier J. Pierpont Morgan, who hired her as his personal librarian in 1905. After Morgan’s death in 1913, Greene continued as the librarian of his son and heir, J.P. Morgan Jr., who would transform his father’s Library into a public institution in 1924. But her career as director of what was then known as the Pierpont Morgan Library — a leadership role she held for twenty-four years — is less well understood, as are aspects of her education, private collecting, and dense social and professional networks.

The exhibition will trace Greene’s storied life, from her roots in a predominantly Black community in Washington, D.C., to her distinguished career at the helm of one of the world’s great research librar-

ies. Through extraordinary objects — from medieval manuscripts and rare printed books to archival records and portraits — the exhibition will demonstrate the confidence and savvy Greene brought to her roles as librarian, scholar, curator, and cultural executive, and honor her enduring legacy. Go to.themorgan.org for more information.

Urban Air

Westfield World Trade Center

Get ready for a whirlwind of excitement this fall at Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park in Brooklyn, the ultimate destination for indoor family fun catering to all ages! Swing by with the family and discover a massive indoor space for bouncing, climbing, playing, and a lot of fun. The indoor adventure park features Trampolines, a Warrior Course, Spin & Flip Zone Bumper Cars, Tubes Soft Play Playground, Virtual Reality, and more.

Urban Air is a go-to spot for open play and birthday parties every day of the week.

Nestled in the heart of Lower Manhattan, Westfield World Trade Center is a vibrant destination, perfect for families seeking a blend of shopping, dining, and entertainment with the stunning backdrop of autumn in New York City. With over 85 shops and restaurants, there’s something for the entire family to enjoy. Conveniently connected to most subway lines and the PATH, Westfield World Trade Center offers easy access from all corners of the city, making it an ideal spot for a family day out. The center’s iconic architecture offers a unique backdrop for exploration, with its impressive design captivating visitors of all ages.

Open play walk-ins do not require reservations. Elevate your child’s fall birthday at Urban Air with an unforgettable birthday bash at Urban Air, famous for their exciting parties. For birthday party packages, call 347-732-5438 to learn more. Urban Air Brooklyn is located at 4422 2nd Ave in Brooklyn, just 5 blocks away from Industry City and Costco.

Westfield World Trade Center offers a wide range of events and celebrations throughout the fall and holiday season. Kick off the month of October with Taste of the Oculus, a weeklong celebration of the food and beverage offerings on campus. Winter Whirl, a roller rink on the Oculus Floor, returns at the end of November, offering a one-of-a-kind experience. Families planning their visit can enhance their experience by downloading the Westfield app in the app store. This handy tool allows visitors to plan their trip, ensuring

Ultimate fall/winter family fU n G U

they make the most of all the exciting activities and amenities available. For more information and to start planning your visit, go to westfield.com/united-states/westfieldworldtradecenter.

ide in partnership with

Wildlife Conservation Society

Westfield World Trade Center

Fall family programs make this season one of the best times to visit a Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) zoo or aquarium. Enjoy the crisp autumn air together and take a closer look at the wild world around us, all without leaving New York City. Early birds and night owls alike will find fun activities, from sensory-inclusive mornings at the zoo to sleepovers at the aquarium.

WCS Education offers exciting experiences for animal lovers of all ages, from infants to adults. Each curated program offers exclusive activities led by WCS Educators, like exhibit tours, STEM crafts, and meeting an animal up close. Some even coincide with the Bronx Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo and the New York Aquarium’s Ascarium celebration!

Bring your baby to the Queens Zoo for Stroller Safaris to see South America's spectacled bear cubs or a family of the world’s smallest deer. Learn what it takes to be a keeper at the Central Park Zoo with hands-on animal care weekend programs for kids, teens and adults. Bring your troop to see porcupines and Pallas's cats on the Prospect Park Zoo’s new scavenger hunts just for Girl Scouts.

WCS also offers camps when school is closed. The Queens Zoo

they make the most of all the exciting activities and amenities available. For more information and to start planning your visit, go to westfield.com/united-states/westfieldworldtradecenter.

added new day camp themes and extra dates, while The Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium make it easy to arrange dropoff and pickup by adding a grownups-only coworking space with activities during school break camp. Visit wcs.education/explore for more info.

BELLE DA COSTA GREENE

A LIBRARIAN’S LEGACY

OCTOBER ��, �� THROUGH MAY �, ��

Belle da Costa Greene: A Librarian’s Legacy is made possible by lead support from Agnes Gund. Major support is provided by the Ford Foundation; Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin M. Rosen; Katharine J. Rayner; Denise Littleﬁeld Sobel; the Lucy Ricciardi Family Exhibition Fund; Desiree and Olivier Berggruen; Gregory Annenberg Weingarten, GRoW @ Annenberg; and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom. Assistance is provided by the Franklin Jasper Walls Lecture Fund, the Friends of Princeton University Library, Elizabeth A.R. and Ralph S. Brown, Jr., and the Cowles Charitable Trust.

Clarence H. White (1871–1925), Belle da Costa Greene, 1911. Biblioteca Berenson, I Tatti, The Harvard University Center for Italian Renaissance Studies.

Cozy & Classy fall fashion

Funky flannels, chunky sweaters and fuzzy boots… Fall fashion is our favorite! Denny’s and Mixology make getting ready on those chilly autumn mornings a little easier - and a lot more fun - for parents and kids. Get your kids’ fall gear at Denny’s in Plainview, Bellmore, East Northport, Hewlett or Manhasset. At Mixology, parents find designer pieces are expertly combined with affordable items for a high-end look.

THiS PAGE: 9-year-old Zachary is all about sports! He plays on a travel soccer team and loves football and basketball, but for school days a flannel hoodie (Tony Hawk) and dark denim jeans (DL 1961 Brady Knight ) are a great substitute for jerseys and sweats.

5-year-old Jordana loves art, dance and makeup, so her loose-fitting jeans (Tract Son) and black sweater (Revelation) are plussed up with a cozy, cream-colored fleece vest (Urban Republic Vest).

Mom Marissa, a preschool special education itinerant teacher, is ready for morning dropoff in her form-fitting grey sweater (Heartloom) and jeans (Flying Monkey).

O PPOSiTE : Friends Academy Senior Jhanvi Gambhir has a passion for teaching financial literacy. After a summer leading a workshop for middle school students on budgeting, saving and spending, she’s ready for the fall in a pleather puffer vest (Double Zero).

Friends Academy eighth grader Jaya Gambhir excels in both academics and sports, and recently received a Bronze medal at the Long Island Math Fair. Her argyleish cardigan (Elf’s Fairisle) and cuffed bootleg jeans (RD International Lt) epitomize the 90’s throwback look Gen Zers love so much.

Busy mom Dr. Neera Tewari works as Vice Chair of the American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology at NYU Langone Hospitals, so styles that mix comfort with bold colors for a standout look — like the red blouse (Robertson and Rodeo) and black wide-leg pants (Central Park West) she’s wearing — are a staple in her closet.

cre DitS:

location: Friends Academy | friendsacademy.org

clothes: Mixology | shopmixology.com

Denny’s | shopdennys.com

Photography : Brooke Singer

@bsingerphotography | bsingerphoto.com

makeup: Kimberly Dawn Makeup Artistry @kdm_artistry | kimberlydawnmakeup.com

Hair: Michelle at Boulevard Hair Salon of Rosyln @boulevard_liny | boulevardliny@gmail.com

Changing Seasons with LaTonya Yvette

A beloved Brooklyn storyteller on turning the page and finally finding home

By Alex A Wilding

There’s a sweet moment toward the end of LaTonya Yvette’s new collection of essays, Stand in My Window: Meditations on Home and How We Make It, where she sends her friend, Claude, a picture of her freshly painted living room in Fort Greene. “You’re always so good at making a house feel like a home,” Claude writes back. “Your homes have a scent. Your clothes. Upstate too. And they all have the same feeling.”

When I read these words, I smiled. I could feel LaTonya’s hand in mine. I could smell her delicious perfume—notes of palo santo, vetiver—and I could hear her warm, unmistakable laugh. Like Claude, I have the privilege of calling LaTonya a close friend. I’ve spent many a night dancing with our kids in her colorful, expertly thrifted Brooklyn apartments over the years.

That feeling pervades all of the above spaces. It is a feeling of safety, of belonging, and of the search for joy no matter how bleak the season. It is felt in the pink bookshelf hauled from a street corner and given a second life, or in the frayed piece of her grandmother’s lace hung as a curtain. Quite simply, that feeling is LaTonya herself.

LaTonya Yvette may be a close friend of mine, but I was (and continue to be) a fangirl first. Like so many in-the-know New York moms, I came upon her heartfelt writing, effortless style, and that signature smile when she first burst onto the predominantly white lifestyle blog scene in 2012. Yes, her blog covered the ups and downs of urban motherhood—with light-strewn windows into her plant-filled homes (not to mention, her enviable closet edits!)—but LaTonya was never just another Mommy Blogger.

She was, and is, a writer growing in Brooklyn-—one who has generously shared a window into her life every step of the way.

In Stand in My Window, LaTonya writes of home, both in Fort Greene and upstate at The Mae House, the the 200-year-old house she fearlessly purchased on her own in 2021, lovingly restored, and opened up as a rest-asresidency space for BIPOC communities.

While you may have seen images of LaTonya’s dwellings over the years—whether on her blog or gorgeous Instagram feed, or in her debut book, 2019's Woman of Color -- in Stand in My Window, LaTonya weaves together the intimate stories behind these spaces, the strong Black women who came before her, and on whose shoulders she stands, and how she finally, painstakingly, found home.

What led you to share more of your heart on the page, and how did you grow as a writer in the process?

Stand in My Window is quite a large departure from Woman of Color to me… Woman of Color did what it was supposed to do – it allowed me to break into this nearly impossible publishing industry. [I sold] Woman of Color in 2017 when I was known as a lifestyle blogger. [Stand in My Window] was sold in 2020 during a time in which I had already grown as a writer, but also knew I was leaving the blogging space quite indefinitely, although there had been this new-found focus on Black people in the arts and online. So having the blog helped, as did having Woman of Color, but I had, in some ways, already departed – the work that wasn’t quite done inside of me, too. Overall, though, Stand in My Window was sold without a formal shape. And I needed some more experience and growing over the years of writing it…I think that is the heart that is picked up, as is the lack of digital veil.

There is strong reverence for lineage in Stand in My Window. Not just for your

actual family but for your literary and political heroes, too. What does community and belonging mean to you?

Yes, thank you! I grew up where respect for the matriarchal figures in my family was paramount. And to be honest, when I think of our family structure—generations down— by design and by flaws, there were mostly women. And the men that were around deeply respected and revered the women, too. That alone allows me to step back and see how intricately layered the history of these women are and were in our upbringing. And when I set out to be a writer and a community builder, the work of Jamaica Kincaid, Audre Lorde, Mariame Kaba, were voices that whispered to me in the night and in the morning as a mother does. As I do to my own children. Reading bell hooks throughout writing this book and before, reminded me that I could build community, but I had to choose it for myself. So, to make it, I had to accept it. I ALSO had to BE it. And quite literally, live by her ethos. Which strangely mirror some of my maternal family’s, even of what was never ever spoken. Maybe Stand in My Window will do that one day for someone else? I could only hope. But those people truly held me. I am only here because of them.

While Stand in My Window is about both the rediscovery of home and the meaning of home (in all forms), I was taken by the exploration of travel in the second half. Does travel change how you view home? And how do you find home when you travel?

The more of the world I see, the more I realize how much I don’t know. Writing the book allowed me to explore the various versions of my own home and what I understand them to be. Now I realize, in travel that I do not seek to understand, but to just witness the many ways folks experience and

understand home. Being able to move my body between space by choice as an adult is such a layered experience—there’s travel writing as work, traveling with my children to get away,

traveling to just let there be room to write-- it’s a privilege I am now aware of. And in another area, I think I am so used to the movement, that movement is part of how I create.

Stand in My Window is a book in two parts, Inhale and Exhale, and you talk throughout about the role of meditation and mindfulness in your life. Can you share what your practice looks like these days? Any tips, especially for busy parents, on how to carve the time and space?

Waking early to write (Toni Morrison taught me this in writing and in motherhood). I also heard from a therapist a long time ago, which is pretty embodied in the book, anything can be a form of meditation: sweeping the floor, washing the dishes, waiting in an aisle. I understand now that life will rarely slow down, so making time is a practice. As is anything worthwhile or useful.

One of my favorite chapters is “Lil Red,” named after your trusty toolbox, as it dives deep into your own “restoration” alongside that of The Mae House. As the kitchen is finally painted, and the native, black-eyedSusan flowers blossom, you write that you, too, were “coming into whatever new self stood on the other side of it all.” How have you grown since writing those words? What does the rest of 2024 and looking forward to 2025 look like for you?

To be honest, I wish I knew what 2024 looked like beyond the book. I am deep in getting comfortable with it being in YOUR hands. And maybe more as a sign of a present practice, that’s where I am. I can’t move further than [the release of Stand in My Window] on November 12th. Once that happens, maybe I’ll think to January and so on. I have more writing to do in the meantime, and I am sorting “my body in the shape of things.”

Lastly, for fun, beloved objects, or the memory of objects past, play a huge part in both your story and what makes a home: the clock, your mother’s shattered jaguar, or “the desk of your own” come to mind. Are there any new or salvaged objects in either your Brooklyn apartment or at The Mae House that mark this new chapter in your life?

You gave me a signed Carrie Mae Weems poster! It says, “Remember to dream.” I am hanging it up next week. That’s where I am…I am trying to remember to dream, and I am quite lucky to have people and things that remind me to do so.

Stand in My Window: Meditations on Home and How We Make It is out November 12th via Dial Press.

Photo by Yumi Matsuo

calendar

by shara LeviNe

Nassau

Heritage fall festival 2024

wHen : Daily, 10 am – 4:30 pm, through Nov. 3.

wHere : Heritage Farm and Garden, 6050 Northern Blvd., Muttontown

ageS: All

wHat: Begin the season with pumpkin decorating, scavenger hunt, corn maze and favorite fall foods.

want tO gO?: $10 Standard Wristband Package; $25 Deluxe Wristband Package. (516) 922–1026, heritagefarmandgarden. com

mario & friends Pizza Party

wHen :Wednesday, Oct. 2, 6:30 – 8:30 pm

wHere : United Skates of America, 1276 Hicksville Road, Seaford

ageS: 3 and up

wHat: Enjoy delicious pizza with Mario and all his friends. Meet and greet your favorite characters, skate around the rink, and dance to awesome music.

want tO gO?: $17. (516) 795–5474, unitedskates.com

blaze: long island

wHen : Oct. 4-Nov. 3, see website for schedule

wHere : Old Bethpage Restoration Village, 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage

ageS: All

wHat: This immersive experience returns with largerthan-life themed exhibits that span a half-mile loop enhanced with synchronized lighting and an original soundtrack.

want tO gO?: $10-$39. pumpkinblaze.org

fl!P circus

wHen : Oct. 4-15, Weekdays, 7

pm, Saturdays, 1 pm and 4 pm, Sundays, 12 pm, 3 pm, and 6 pm.

wHere : Broadway Commons, 358 N. Broadway Commons, Hicksville ageS: All

wHat: Witness an incredible and eclectic mix of international human performers featuring acrobatic feats, body-bending maneuvers, unicycling, and more.

want tO gO?: Tickets start at $33.90. flipcircus.com

grand baldwin festival

wHen : Saturday, Oct. 5, 12 –4:30 pm

wHere : Parking Lot of Baldwin Library, 2385 Grand Ave., Baldwin ageS: All

wHat: Celebrate the Baldwin community with a pop-up marketplace, food vendors, musical performances, an art showcase, and various activities for all ages.

want tO gO?: Free admission. grandbaldwinfestival.com

38th annual rock Hall country fair

wHen : Oct. 19-20, Saturday and Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm.

wHere : Rock Hall Museum, 199 Broadway, Lawrence ageS: All

wHat: Visit with colonial historians, check out antique cars, meet farm animals, go on a pony ride, make your own scarecrow and much more! want tO gO?: Free admission. friendsofrockhall.or

fall festival

wHen : Friday-Sunday, Oct. 25-27, see website for complete schedule

wHere : Merrick Railroad Station, Sunrise Highway & Merrick Ave., Merrick ageS: All

wHat: Merrick’s largest event of the year brings you three days of carnival fun and

a street fair featuring local vendors and organizations. want tO gO?: Free admission. merrickchamber.org

Pumpkin Park at adventureland

wHen : Saturday, Oct. 26, 11 am – 5 pm

wHere : Adventureland, 2245 Route 110, Farmingdale ageS: All

wHat: Children are invited to dress up in their Halloween finest to trick or treat throughout the park.

want tO gO?: $49.50 for kids; $39.50 for adults. adventureland.us

malloween

wHen : Saturday, Oct. 26, 1 – 3 pm

wHere : Green Acres Mall, 2034 Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream ageS: All

wHat: Head to the mall for a magic show, trick or treating,

heritage farm and Garden hosts a fall festival all this month.

face painting and more! want tO gO?: Free. greenacresmallonline.com

ghostly gala

wHen : Saturday, Oct. 26, 6 – 9 pm

wHere : Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Avenue, Garden City ageS: All

wHat: Spend the evening showing off your costume, decorating your own goody bag, trick-or-treating, and more.

want tO gO?: $16; $14 members. (516) 224–5800, licm.org

s uffOL k

amityville’s Haunted Harvest

wHen : Saturday, Oct. 5, 1 – 7 pm

wHere : Amityville Village, Park Ave. between Greene and Ireland, Amityville ageS: 5 – 8

wHat: This one-of-a-kind outdoor festival experience features entertainment, specialty foods, performers, food trucks, and more. want tO gO?: Free. amityvilleshauntedharvest.com

OktOberfeSt at reflextions riverhead

wHen : Saturday, Oct. 5, 3 – 9 pm

wHere : Milton L. Burns Park, 40 Peconic, Riverehad ageS: All

wHat: Don your dirndl and lace up those lederhosen for

a day filled with live entertainment, exciting contests, and delicious German-style cuisine. want tO gO?: Free. reflextionsriverhead.com

monsters & mermaid: new exhibition Opening & family bash

wHen : Sunday, Oct. 6, 11 am – 3 pm

wHere : The Whaling Museum & Education Center, 301 Main Street, Cold Spring Harbor ageS: All

wHat: The museum galleries have been transformed into mystical underwater realms, where you’ll meet live critters, make monster slime, take photos with a mermaid, and more.

want tO gO?: Advance Tickets:$8- $2;; Door Tickets: $8-$25 child. cshwhalingmuseum.org

famous food festival “ taste the world”

wHen : Oct. 11-14, Friday, 1 – 8 pm , Saturday-Monday,11 am –8 pm

wHere : Tanger Outlets Deer Park, 152 The Arches Cir., Deer Park

ageS: All

wHat: Go on a culinary adventure with food inspired by countries from all around the globe along with live music, rock climbing, mini golf, a dedicated kids area, and more. want tO gO?: $5-$18. famousfoodfestival.com

bounce the city

wHen : Oct. 12-27, Saturdays,

11:30 am – 7 pm, Sundays, 12:30 – 6:30 pm

wHere : Walt Whitman Shops, 160 Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station ageS: All

wHat: Step into a candycolored wonderland with inflatable attractions, meet colorful characters, and capture Instagrammable moments.

want tO gO?: Tickets start at $24. bouncethecity.com

brick convention

wHen : Oct. 19-20, Saturday and Sunday, 11:30 am – 6 pm.

wHere : Suffolk Credit Union Arena, Crooked Hill Road, Brentwood ageS: All

wHat: Brick building enthusiasts will marvel at massive LEGO displays and life size builds, meet LEGO Masters, shop, and more. want tO gO?: $15 online; $18 at the door. brickconvention. com

Downtown riverhead’s Halloween fest

wHen : Saturday, Oct. 19, 2 – 7 pm

wHere : Main St. from Griffing Ave. to McDermott Ave., Downtown Riverhead ageS: All

wHat: Dress the whole family in costume and head downtown where the streets will be lined with goblins and ghouls ready for the Coffin Races and Halloween Parade.

want tO gO?: Free. downtownriverhead.org

Owl Prowl Sunday

wHen : Sunday, Oct. 20, 6 – 8 pm

wHere : Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown ageS: 5 and up

wHat: Learn about some of the resident owls and go on a walk into the darkness to enjoy the night and call out to these nocturnal birds.

want tO gO?: $20. (631) 979–6344, sweetbriarnc.org

Science Saturdays: Spa chemistry candy corn bath bombs

wHen : Saturday, Oct. 26, 1 – 2 pm

wHere : Long Island Science Center, 401 Tanger Mall Drive, Riverhead ageS: 5 – 12

wHat: Learn all about the chemistry of cosmetics and make a fun candy-corn themed bath bomb.

want tO gO?: $20; $15 admission for adults. sciencecenterli.org

34th annual Halloween festival

wHen : Thursday, Oct. 31, 2 – 5 pm

wHere : Stony Brook Village Center, 111 Main St., Stony Brook ageS: 8 and under

wHat: Children will have a spooktastic time trick-ortreating, dancing, playing games and enjoying a Halloween Parade!

want tO gO?: Free. stonybrookvillage.com

celebrate halloween in stony Brook Village center.

dventureland celebrates halloween on october 26 with their special Pumpkin Park event.

tech Is Your Child Using AI for Homework?

Navigating a new digital world

By Thalia Fernandez

It’s no secret that most kids dislike doing their nightly homework. As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly everywhere and used in various tasks, it’s important for parents to understand how their children might be using these tools, especially for their education and homework. Here’s a guide to help parents navigate this new world cautiously and effectively.

Types of AI Tools

AI tools range from grammar and spell checkers to more advanced tools like essay generators, coding assistants, and problemsolving apps. It’s important for parents to familiarize themselves with these tools and understand what they do. For example, Grammarly is an AI-powered writing assistant that helps with grammar, punctuation, and style. This particular software has been around since 2009, and it’s generally used and acceptable for use by college and sometimes high school students for help with correcting essays and emails.

ChatGPT is a conversational AI that can answer questions, generate text, and assist with writing tasks. This software is much newer, only being around since 2022. Despite only existing for a couple of years, ChatGPT has become smarter and more powerful since its debut. That’s because this platform is an example of machine-learning, meaning it becomes more and more intelligent the more it is used.

Photomath is an app that uses AI to solve math problems and explain the steps, designed for use with a smartphone’s camera to scan and recognize math equations. There are many other examples, but these three are the most popular platforms in each category of AI tool. By understanding these tools and the tasks they perform, parents can better monitor their children’s use and guide them towards appropriate and constructive usage.

Artificial Intelligence is Everywhere

AI is becoming an ever-expanding part of life. Last year, BestColleges surveyed 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students on their usage and opinions on AI. The results show that 56% of college students have used AI on homework assignments or exams. This number is likely much higher than it was a year ago as the technology has become smarter and more prevalent in a short amount of time. Also keep in mind that this is a survey of college students, who are more likely to know how to properly access these platforms and use them for their purposes. But as the tech becomes more known and available, younger and younger students are accessing it.

In a study conducted through Scientific Reports, 74% of surveyed students from various countries said that they’d use ChatGPT for their homework. At the same time, 70% of educators believe that using AI in school assignments constitutes plagiarism. The research also showed that the AI was capable of generating essays at or above the grade level it was tasked to write.

Is Your Child is Using It?

So, if AI is everywhere and could someday be used by everyone, what should you do if your kid is using it? Is it even worth it to discourage usage if the tech is here to stay? The short answer is yes, but it’s a tricky balancing act. Firstly, you should familiarize yourself with the exact app or platform that your child

is using. For instance, using a tool to check grammar is different from having it write an entire essay in most cases. Regular supervision and discussions about how AI tools can also help ensure that they are used appropriately.

Secondly, familiarize yourself with the school and classroom’s policy on AI. Talk to teachers about what they may have already told their class regarding AI or ask them if they can incorporate a lecture on AI practices into a lesson plan.

Rather than immediately scolding your kid if you catch them with AI tools, instead reframe the conversation around what these tools really do and how they can either help or hold back educational progress. Encourage your child to share if and what they’ve learned and how they’ve used the tools to supplement their studies.

For example, using Photomath to help understand how or why an equation is solved in a certain way is actively educational, and can even be a useful tool for parents who want to help their kids with math homework. But simply using it to copy answers is detrimental to the learning process.

And remember that even if AI is becoming more intelligent, that doesn’t mean it will always be accurate. It’s important to always teach kids to double-check their answers and to verify information through multiple sources. AI can be helpful as an additional way to check your work, but it should never be your first or only source of information and problem-solving.

Long Island Family - October 2024

Feeling Like Fall

5 Ways to Help Kids Understand PoLitiCS

Mini Elections

Kid-Friendly Newspapers

Write Letters

Volunteer Work

Student Councils

Your Guide to Picking a Middle or High School

Public Schools

Charter Schools

Private Schools

Boarding Schools

Catholic Schools

Jewish Schools

Reasons to Attend a Middle and High School Open House

The Green Vale School: Discover the Difference

Portledge School

At Friends Academy, Class Size Matters

Smaller Classes Build Leaders

Haunted Houses

Scary and not-so-scary ones in New York City & Long Island

Pumpkin Picking!

Fall/Winter Road Trips For Families

Discover Central Massachusetts

Explore MetroWest Boston

North Central Massachusetts

Rhode Island

Fall/Winter Experiences

INTER_ Art Experience

ide in partnership with

BELLE DA COSTA GREENE

A LIBRARIAN’S LEGACY

OCTOBER ��, ���� THROUGH MAY �, ����

Cozy & Classy fall fashion

Changing Seasons with LaTonya Yvette

A beloved Brooklyn storyteller on turning the page and finally finding home

calendar

Nassau

s uffOL k

tech Is Your Child Using AI for Homework?

Navigating a new digital world

Is Your Child is Using It?

OCTOBER ��, �� THROUGH MAY �, ��