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School’s almost out and the fun has just begun on Long Island. From an interactive ice cream experience to enrollment in the Jedi Academy, here are foolproof ways to never hear the words “I’m bored” this summer.
Make your own ice cream at CoolMess
Celebrating its one-year anniversary, CoolMess offers a one-of-a-kind, design-your-own ice cream experience in Roslyn. Pick a base from the starter “messipes,” or create your own flavor. Then add toppings, ranging from candies and cereal or fruits and nuts, to your heart’s content. There’s also a full lunch and dinner menu, plus grab n’ go sundae options.
CoolMess is located at 1512 Old Northern Blvd, Roslyn; 516-801-2665
KidFEST at Guild Hall
East Hampton’s premiere arts center is giving kids creative ways to play. KidFEST, a series of innovative and interactive programs, runs July and August. Programs include BubbleMania and the Jedi Academy, as well as corresponding pre-show workshops. Guild Hall also has a summer camp of such weeklong workshops as Introduction to Filmmaking.
Guild Hall is located at 158 Main St, East Hampton; 631-324-0806
Mash-up Menagerie at Long Island Children’s Museum
From July through the September 1, the new Mash-up Menagerie at the Long Island Children’s Museum allows guests to put their own stamp on the exhibit. Visitors are invited to change and redesign the outlines of mixed-up animals to create their own fantastical beasts. Over the course of eight weeks, animals evolve through visitors’ imagination and design ingenuity.
In addition to the new exhibit, the LCIM Theater will host a variety of performances, including I Spy Butterfly and Mouse on the Move. Workshops this summer will include STEM programs such as Eye Spy and Marvelous Moon, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo moon landing.
Long Island Children’s Museum is located at 11 Davis Ave, Garden City; 516-224-5800
Family days at Muse Paintbar
Beat the heat with the stroke of a brush. Paint and sip studio Muse Paintbar is hosting family day sessions to bring out the brood’s creative side. If you have a future Picasso, consider the newly launched kids club. The deeply discounted session packs will have you set for the summer.
Muse Paintbar has locations in Port Jefferson, Garden City, Woodbury and Great Neck.
Puzzle Break at The Syosset Woodbury Chamber Street Fair
Escape rooms are a fun way to bond with the family, and Puzzle Break in Syosset makes it extra exciting with a handful of theme-settings, such as Escape from 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, to get your Sherlock Holmes juices flowing. This year, Puzzle Break is offering two new ways to get in on the game. Its new Queens location opens Saturday, June 15 and its new mobile escape room is on-the-go to bring the challenge to you.
On Sunday, September 15, Puzzle Break will be participating in the annual Syosset Woodbury Chamber Street Fair, which will also feature a ton of other kid-approved activities such as face painting, bounce houses and a petting zoo. Parents will also appreciate the lineup of food trucks, vendors and live music.
Puzzle Break is located at 180 Michael Dr, Syosset; 516-307-0888
