Weekend family fun on Long Island: Spooky Fest, Touch-a-Truck and more
Costumed fun is one not-so-scary feature of the Spooky Fest at Tanglewood Preserve in Rockville Centre. Credit: Michele Anselmo
Looking for things to do with the kids this weekend? From Halloween events and parties to go-karts and fall walks, there is plenty happening on Long Island. Here are my top five picks for family-friendly activities during the weekend:
Spooky Fest at Tanglewood Preserve (1450 Tanglewood Rd., Rockville Centre). Sixteen acres are transformed into a family-friendly Halloween event, Friday through Sunday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. First 200 kids get a free goody bag each night, while supplies last. Fun not-so-spooky walk in the woods for young children, scary walk through haunted woods for older kids and adults, arts and crafts area, live animal exhibit, mystic den, maze of zombies, face painting and more. Price: $10 for children 8 and under, $15 ages 9 and older.
Dia de los Muertos at the Long Island Children's Museum (11 Davis Ave., Garden City). Learn about the customs of this Latin American day of celebration and remembrance, known as the Day of the Dead, and create your own traditional sugar skull to commemorate this event, on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. Price: Free with museum admission ($12).
Touch a Truck at Smith Haven Mall (313 Smith Haven Mall, Lake Grove). More than 50 vehicles will be on-site for children to sit in, climb on and take photos with, including big rigs, fire and rescue trucks, police vehicles and more, on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Price: Free, bring a nonperishable food item for Long Island Harvest.
Long Island Karting Association at Nassau Coliseum (1255 Hempstead Tpke., Uniondale). On Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Long Island Karting Association will host a family-oriented racing event. Each activity is run by the association's board of volunteers and many of its members. The event will be held in the Nassau Coliseum parking lot. Price: $5 spectator, $60 per driver with own equipment.
Autumn Discoveries at Caleb Smith State Park Preserve (Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown). Children ages 5 and older are invited to create a collage using natural items found in the forest, on Sunday from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Price: $4 adults, $3 children, $8 parking fee.
