Gina Massaro

Gina Massaro is a Long Island native who believes in whimsy, fairies, and the idea of never growing up. She’s a mom to 3 young kids and a small zoo, and she has over 8 years of experience and childhood education expertise as a preschool educator. She tries to find time to write and paint between school pickups, diaper changes, and dog walks. For more of her art and writing check out her website: ginamassaro.com.

Latest posts by Gina

15 Seashell Crafts: Easy Summery Craft Ideas for Kids

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Thu, 07/14/2022 - 12:11pm

Seashell crafts are a fun way preserve beach-day memories.

Summer means long days at the beach building sandcastles, splashing in the waves, and collecting seashells. But what to do with all of those seashells when you get home? You can, of course, simply display them in pretty jars or bowls to remember your family beach days. But you can also step up the fun and create some awesome seashell crafts!

Here are 15 seashell craft ideas for kids of all ages, from toddlers to big kids. These fun seashell crafts are a great way to relive those beach days and bring out your kids' creative sides. For more at-home summer fun, check out our lists of 100 awesome art projects for kids, and 27 water games for kids to play all summer long.

Baby Swimming Lessons on Long Island: 11 Top Spots for Babies and Toddlers

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Sun, 07/10/2022 - 8:40am

Hop in the pool with the Goldfish Swim School for mommy-and-me swimming lessons on Long Island.

Baby swimming lessons on Long Island exist because babies and toddlers love to splish and splash in the water. Whether it's tub time, romping at a splash pad, or even dipping toes into the pool, it's important to keep our precious little ones safe while having fun. Swimming lessons aren't just for the big kids. In fact, there are specialized swimming classes made just for our tiniest and most precious family members, and we've rounded up 11 top swimming lessons for babies and toddlers across Long Island.

If you're looking for more mommy-and-me classes, check out our Long Island Baby Guide. You can find more great things to in the warmer months in our Summer Fun Guide, and be sure to bookmark our frequently-updated Long Island Family Activity Calendar.

The 16 Best Parks and Playgrounds for a Birthday Party on Long Island

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Fri, 07/08/2022 - 3:24pm

Enjoy a pedal-boat birthday party at Belmont Lake State Park. Photo courtesy of Belmont Lake State Park

Looking for the best parks to host a birthday bash on Long Island? Here are 16 fantastic options.

Birthdays: Our kids all have them. After deciding on the guest list comes the inevitable question of venues. Instead of heading to a party destination or organizing a party at home, did you ever consider a birthday party at a state, county, or community park?

Long Island is home to a host of beautiful and fun-filled parks that will make it a memorable day for your child. And a party at a park means less cleaning for you and no worrying about how many people can fit in your house.

Read on for our take on the best parks at which to host a birthday party. For more birthday fun, check out our Birthday Party Guide for Long Island Kids. Find more great outdoorsy things to do in our Summer Fun Guide, and be sure to bookmark our frequently-updated Long Island Family Activity Calendar.

20 Summer Sleepover Games and Sleepover Snacks

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Tue, 07/05/2022 - 12:50pm

Make cute and delicious Sleeping Bag Blondies. Photo courtesy of Taste of Home

Summer means hot days, no school, and lots of time to hang out with friends. With no one having to wake up early, there is no cooler or more epic hangout than a summertime sleepover. And what's a sleepover without fun sleepover games, plenty of snacks, and delicious desserts?

Here are 10 fun sleepover games for kids to play this summer, plus 10 delicious sleepover snacks and desserts. For even more ideas, check out our lists of 50 easy summer desserts and snack recipes kids will love and 25+ water games for kids to play all summer long. Then pull out the sleeping bags and get ready to throw the ultimate slumber party.

Bushkill Falls: A Family-Friendly Hike with Incredible Views

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Sun, 07/03/2022 - 11:00am

Hike the trails at Bushkill Falls to see the incredible view of Main Falls.

Dubbed "The Niagara Falls of Pennsylvania," Bushkill Falls lives up to the name. Bushkill Falls is a must-do for hiking and nature-loving families. Its varying trails with different difficulty levels make it accessible to most families, and every trail has an amazing view of the falls. The fun doesn't end with the hike, either. There are multiple activities and food options that make Bushkill Falls a popular destination for Northeast families.

DreamWorks Water Park: Make Waves Year-Round at American Dream Mall

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Thu, 04/14/2022 - 5:25pm

The largest indoor wave pool in the world is perfect for even the tiniest swimmers.

Water lovers of all ages can tackle waves, water slides, surfing, and so much more at North America's largest indoor water park, DreamWorks Water Park. The themed water park, with well-known characters from animated favorites like Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, and How to Train Your Dragon, is but one of the cool attractions in the action-packed American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This is one record-breaking water park you won't want to miss.

Read on for details on our fun visit to DreamWorks Water Park, and find more wet-and-wild fun in our Guide to Theme Parks and Water Parks. We've got more day trip inspiration in our Guide to Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

Age of the Dinosaurs Opens at the Long Island Children's Museum

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Tue, 02/22/2022 - 12:04pm

Little ones can create a dinosaur from a series of attachable parts.

Return to the Mesozoic Era at the Long Island Children's Museum, where animatronic dinosaurs like the stegosaurus, apatosaurus and Tyrannosaurus rex move and roar above visitors' heads. Interactive features make this exhibit one not-to-miss, especially for paleontologists in training.

Check out our full review below and don't miss our Guide to Museums for Long Island Kids.

Top Preschool Summer Camps Across Long Island

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Tue, 02/15/2022 - 2:58pm

Make memories and friends that last a lifetime at Beth Shalom Day Camp. Photo courtesy of the camp

Finding a fun, enriching preschool summer camp close to home that is a good fit for your little one can be nerve-wracking. You want your child’s first camp experience to be safe and memorable but not overwhelming.

To aid your search, we've found 14 preschool summer camps on Long Island offering a well-rounded summer camp experience filled with outdoor time, games, arts, sports, and socialization. Many of these preschool summer camps offer programs for older children as well, so siblings don't need to feel left out.

Remember: Every camp has its own philosophy and program emphasis, so explore the camp’s websites, call the director and, if possible, attend an open house.

For more camp inspiration for the preschool years and beyond, be sure to explore our Long Island Summer Camp Guide or browse through the listings in our Camp Directory.

Gina Massaro

Latest posts by Gina

Pages