Whether you just moved to Suffolk County or just became a parent (congrats!), here’s everything you need to know about raising kids in the area, from Brookhaven to Hauppauge, Huntington, Riverhead, Smithtown, Syosset, and beyond, you’ll find family fun and travel, local doctors and dentists, birthday party places, kids’ summer camps and after-school activities, local schools and child care centers, and much more.
Living in Suffolk County with kids is pretty great: world-class beaches, a bounty of beautiful parks, boating, fishing, the excitement of the east end, and the cultural mecca of Manhattan a train ride away. Neighboring Nassau beckons with even more family-friendly options.
Here we present your introduction to family life in Suffolk—consider this your cheat sheet to finding what you want for your kids when you want it, a virtual table of contents to all of NYMetroParents’ articles and tools that will help you be the best, most well-informed parent in Suffolk. We’ve got everything you need to know about raising a child in Suffolk County!
Family Fun in Suffolk
We take family fun time pretty seriously, which means we’re constantly updating our Calendar of Events with fun and low-cost things to do every day with kids in Suffolk and the entire New York metro area. The calendar is searchable, too, so it’s easy to find the events your family is most interested in, or you can head straight to our Editor’s Picks page to see where we’ll be taking our kids this month. And hey, living on Long Island ain’t cheap, right? That’s why we round up the best FREE events for you every month.
Want our top event picks delivered to your email inbox every week (just in time to plan a fun weekend)? Then sign up for our family activities newsletter.
If you’re looking for something specific, our family fun guides will point you in the right direction. Here are some of our perennial favorites:
Zoos, Nature Centers, and Botanical Gardens
Or maybe you just want to know the best things to do every season right near home? We’ve got you covered there, too: Our editors scoured the county from New Hyde Park to Montauk to find the 100 must-do events on Long Island throughout the year, including 20 awesome annual events in each season.
Family Getaways Near Suffolk County
Sure, we have everything we need in Suffolk, but sometimes a day trip or weekend away will do a family good. Lucky for us, there are many places within easy traveling distance that are worth braving city traffic (or taking the ferry to Connecticut from Port Jefferson). Here are a few of our best bets:
Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History in New Haven, CT
Sesame Place in Pennsylvania
National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum
The Museum of the Moving Image in Queens
See the full list of family outings here.
If you’re craving some time in nature, check out our seasonal guides to fun on farms: berry picking (summer), apple picking (fall), and where to cut your own Christmas trees in December. There’s even a zipline and ropes course park that is sure to wow your kids.
Thinking about sending your kids out of the local area for summer camp? Our camp guide to the New York City area includes nearby sleep-away camps along with specialty camps and traditional day camps.
Choosing Classes, Sports, and Camps
When they’re not in the classroom, we schedule our kids’ time around classes, sports, and other extracurricular activities during the school year and camp during the summer. There are so many wonderful options in this awesome county of ours, but we’ll help you choose the best fit for your child. Check out our guides to:
Sports Programs for Kids in Suffolk
After-School and Weekend Classes for Kids
Summer Camps in Suffolk County
Of course, those extracurriculars look good on a college application, but the last thing we want to do is overschedule our kids. We’ve got expert tips for avoiding burnout and finding balance.
Planning a Birthday Party in Suffolk County
Even if your kid has a summer birthday and you have a nice-size backyard, our weather grows ever more unpredictable. If you don’t want to chance a rained-out barbecue (or don’t feel like dealing with the hassle of an indoor party), follow the lead of many of your neighbors and consider a party held outside the home. Suffolk offers every type of cool party place: play spaces, theaters, bowling alleys, museums, craft havens, and more. You’ll find plenty of fun party places, party entertainment, specialty cake shops, party stores, and more on our site to help you plan the best party in the neighborhood. Plus, check out the party tips and inspiration section of our site for everything from fun party favors to birthday cake recipes.
Suffolk Schools and Tutoring Services
While Suffolk County is home to wonderful public schools, you may need to weigh a few decisions. We’ve got advice for you every step of the way, from choosing the right preschool philosophy for your child (Montessori, Waldorf, play-based…) to considering a private or religious school. Plus, we’ve got expert tips if you’re searching for tutors, learning centers, or the best school for a child with special needs. And check out our archive of education articles for year-round advice updated regularly.
Keeping Your Family Healthy
It’s important to have a family doctor and a team of health care professionals nearby that you trust with your family’s well being. Search our site for:
…and more family health services and providers
Also, check out our archive of health articles for a wealth of advice that will help you make the best choices for your family, such as:
How to Know When to Go to the ER or Urgent Care
10 Tips to Keep Your Kid’s Teeth Healthy
How to Know If Your Child Is Getting Enough Sleep
Finding Childcare in Suffolk County
As a busy parent (and even more so if you’re a busy commuting parent), you need a nanny, babysitter, or other caregiver that you can trust. Use our site to find:
Nanny and Babysitting Services
Day Care and Child Care Centers
Finding Friends and Parent Support
If you’re new to Suffolk County—or just new to your town—you might be looking for a support network of like-minded parents to answer burning questions like: Which pizzeria is the best? Which of the nearby public pools is the most little-kid friendly? Where can we go sledding on a snow day? (Actually, we’ve got the answer to that one right here.)
Parent Support Groups in Suffolk
Support Groups for Parents of Kids with Special Needs
Plus, read essays by other area parents who know exactly what you’re going through.
Getting to Know NYMetroParents
Did you find what you’re looking for above? Feel free to email us your feedback and questions to editor@nymetroparents.com.
And remember, NYMetroParents keeps the conversation going beyond our comprehensive website. Make sure to pick up our print magazines (find a copy near you), and join our virtual community on Facebook and Twitter, where the comments are lively and the sneak-peeks are constantly coming!
