Free (or cheap!) for kids in April on Long Island
Spring Egg Hunt at Belmont Lake State Park on Saturday, April 12, 2013. Credit: Newsday / Gina Tomitz
Need weekend plans or something to do with the kids during the week? There are a ton of free children's events at local libraries, but we also found free and cheap things to do elsewhere this month. Whether you have one, two, three or more kids in tow, here's a roundup of fun, budget-friendly events in April.
Free
Sculpture Art Caper and Exploration Activity Backpack at Hofstra University's Emily Lowe Gallery (Hempstead Turnpike, Hempstead) running weekly throughout the year, ending Sunday, Dec. 21. Times vary. Pick up a backpack and solve an Art Caper mystery by unraveling clues found while exploring the outdoor sculpture collection. Appropriate for children ages 5 to 10.
Toddler Arts and Crafts at Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center (Stewart and Cherry avenues, Bethpage Community Park in Bethpage) on Thursday, 10-10:45 a.m. and 11-11:45 a.m. Parents can choose one class per child; recommended for kids ages 2-4. Registration is required.
Eggstravaganza at Baldwin Park (Southern End of Grand Avenue, Baldwin) on Saturday, April 12, from noon to 4 p.m. Hosted by the Baldwin Civic Association, kids can enjoy an egg hunt, sack races, face painting, a DJ, prizes and more; rain date is on Sunday, April 13.
Spring Egg Hunt at Belmont Lake State Park (Exit 38 off Southern State Parkway, North Babylon) on Saturday, April 12, from noon to 2 p.m. Egg hunts occur every 15 minutes for different age groups. The event includes a petting zoo, temporary tattoos, pony rides and environmental crafts.
Egg Hunt at Sayville Falls Miniature Golf (30 Hanson Pl., Sayville) on Saturday, April 12, at 2:30 p.m. Children 12 and younger can participate in egg hunts, mini golf, arts and crafts, and balloon animals, and can receive goody bags.
Eggcellent Adventure Saturday at Connect Church (2658 Corner Lane, Bellmore) on Saturday, April 12, from 1 to 3 p.m. A community event featuring a candy-filled egg hunt, music, an inflatable bouncer, an obstacle course, a video game truck and more.
Easter Egg Hunt in Long Beach on April 12, at 10 a.m. Children hunt for eggs in age groups with prizes awarded. Hunt will be held on the Recreation fields; don't forget to bring your own baskets.
Nature Journaling for Children at Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge (340 Smith Rd., Shirley) on Saturday, April 19, at 10 a.m. Children 10 and older can make nature journals using found objects and recycled cardboard. Bring two empty cereal boxes; registration is required.
Cooking for Hope at Chabad Center for Jewish Life (2083 Seneca Gate, Merrick) on Tuesday, April 29, from 7 to 9 p.m. Teens ages 13-18 can learn to cook a variety of kosher dishes. Registration is required.
Cheap
Children's Poetry Corner: Make and Take a Poem at Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site and Interpretive Center (246 Old Walt Whitman Rd., Huntington Station) weekly Mondays through Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through April 30. Visit Walt Whitman's home and create your own poem using springtime themes. Price: $5, $3 students, free children younger than 5.
Family Film Festival at Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center (76 Main St., Westhampton Beach) on Saturday, April 5, at 11 a.m. Families will enjoy films from Europe, Asia and the United States. Price: $5.
Spring Family Freshwater Fishing Festival at Belmont Lake State Park (Exit 38 off Southern State Parkway, North Babylon) on Saturday, April 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities include open fishing, fishing instruction, fly casting demonstrations and a fish cleaning station as well as children's activities, temporary tattoos and hands-on educational displays. Price: Free with an $8 parking fee.
Insect Invasion at Long Island Science Center (11 W. Main St., Riverhead) on Sunday, April 6, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kids will learn about insects, participate in activities, make crafts and hold hissing cockroaches. Price: $5.
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at Constantino Brumidi Lodge (2075 Deer Park Ave., Deer Park) on Sunday, April 6, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Take pictures with the Easter Bunny while enjoying a buffet breakfast. Price: $7, free for children 3 and younger.
Nano Days at the Maritime Explorium (101 East Broadway, Port Jefferson) on Saturday, April 4, and Sunday, April 5, from 1 to 5 p.m. See how nanotechnology affects your everyday life through fun activities. Price: $5.
Exotic Animal Education at Long Island Science Center (11 W. Main St., Riverhead) on Saturday, April 12, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn about exotic animals from around the world and participate in activities and crafts. Price: $5.
Stories for the Earth at Sweetbriar Nature Center (62 Eckernkamp Dr., Smithtown) on Saturday, April 12, from 1 to 4 p.m. Enthusiasts from Long Island will share their love of nature. $6.
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at West Babylon Fire Department (126 Arnold Ave., West Babylon) on Sunday, April 13, 8 a.m.-noon. Breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, coffee/tea and juice. Plus, pictures with the Easter Bunny and other activities. Price: $7, $4 children and free for children 3 and younger.
Wildlife Baby Shower at Sweetbriar Nature Center (62 Eckernkamp Dr., Smithtown) on Sunday, April 13, 1-3:30 p.m. Meet baby animals and learn how to take care of them. Price: $6.
Sand-Casting Craft at Garvies Point Museum and Preserve (50 Barry Dr., Glen Cove) on Tuesday, April 15, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Make a work of art using sand and seashells. Price: Free with museum admission ($3 adults, $2 ages 5-12).
Lets Plant Spring at Long Island Science Center (11 W. Main St., Riverhead) on Monday, April 14, through Saturday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit during spring break to learn about what's growing this spring and make your own planter to take home. Price: $5.
Live Animals at Garvies Point Museum and Preserve (50 Barry Dr., Glen Cove) on Wednesday, April 16, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Kids can meet a well-known great horned owl, Eastern box turtle, Eastern screech owl and more. Price: Free with museum admission ($3 adults, $2 ages 5-12).
Bird-House Craft at Garvies Point Museum and Preserve (50 Barry Dr., Glen Cove) on Thursday, April 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Make a bird house using recycled materials that your backyard birds will love. Price: Free with museum admission ($3 adults, $2 ages 5-12).
Bird Walk at Garvies Point Museum and Preserve (50 Barry Dr., Glen Cove) on Thursday, April 17, from 1 to 2 p.m. Learn how to use binoculars and identify birds. Price: Free with museum admission ($3 adults, $2 ages 5-12).
Easter Egg Hunt at Benner's Farm (56 Gnarled Hollow Rd., Setauket) on Saturday, April 19, and Sunday, April 20, at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Bring your own basket and a camera to capture your children as they discover treat-filled eggs around the farm. Price: Free with farm admission ($6, $5 children ages 14 and younger).
Dinosaur Day at Garvies Point Museum and Preserve (50 Barry Dr., Glen Cove) on Saturday, April 19, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn about dinosaurs, see and touch real fossils, try out the fossil “dig" and more. Price: $5.
Egg Hunt at Manor Farm (210 Manor Rd., Huntington) on Saturday, April 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. Bring an empty egg carton, and children 4 and younger with parents hunt at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.; children 5 and older can hunt at 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.; other games and activities offered during the day. Price: $5.
Earth Day Celebration at Long Island Science Center (11 W. Main St., Riverhead) on Monday, April 14, through Saturday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn about "going green," conservation and preserving planets. Price: $5.
All Kids Fair at Melville Marriott (1350 Old Walt Whitman Rd., Melville) on Sunday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Kids and parents can learn about products and services from more than 80 exhibitors and take part in 24 family-friendly classes. Price: $5, free for ages 2 and younger.
