Screen-Free Week for Long Island families

4/29/13 - By Denise

Screen Free Week, which begins on Monday, April 29th, and continues through Sunday, May 5th, is a national celebration where families, communities, and in some cases, schools, sign a pledge to become screen-free for one week. Once the screens are off, families are encouraged to read, play, enjoy nature, get crafty, or simply get lost in  daydreaming.  Once you unplug, you may be surprised to find how much time you really do spend being plugged in. So what will you do with all this extra time? You know you've come to the right place....

In addition to all of the Screen-Free Week activities below, be sure to check out our  posts on the top libraries in Nassau and Suffolk, our guide to state parks in Nassau and Suffolk, County Parks in Nassau and Suffolk and Long Island's Botanical Gardens. Also, be sure to check out our events calendar for a full listing of activities in the area.

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Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery and Aquarium
1660 Rte. 25A
516-672-6768
Open daily 10am–5pm
Adults $6, children $4, under 2 free
The hatchery has both indoor and outdoor exhibits showcasing the diversity of wildlife in New York State's waterways; including fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Catch-and-release fishing is also available; check their website for more information. Receive a free "funtainer" of fish food for signing the screen-free pledge.

Find more events and activities in Cold Spring Harbor.

Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center
431 East Main Street
Riverhead
631-208-9200
Call for entries! Build a birdhouse that depicts a NY or LI landmark. Prizes will be awarded in the following age categories: Nestings (ages 5-12), Chipers (ages 13-20), and Fancy Fliers (ages 21+). Entry forms and fees can be submitted until May 1st. All completed birdhouses will be submitted on June 25. Entires will be on display from July 1 - Au
gust 5. See website for submission guidelines. 

Monday, April 29th

Habitat Hike
Quogue Wildlife Refuge

3 Old Country Rd., Quogue 
631-653-4771
7-8:00pm
Free

Enjoy a moderately paced evening walk of 1 1/2 miles to the north pond at the refuge. Use your senses as you observe the sights, sounds and scents of the evening. Open to families. Pre-registration required.

Family Craft Night
Hauppauge Public Library
Veteran's Memorial HIghway
Hauppauge
631-979-1600
6:30-8:00pm
All ages

Tuesday, April 30th

Habitat Hike/Discovering Senses
Quogue Wildlife Refuge
3 Old Country Rd.
Quogue
631-653-4771
4-5:00pm
free
Visit a deciduous forest a field a pine forest and a carnivorous bog. Use all your senses as you explore the area to discover who lives there. Pre-registration required.

Wednesday, May 1st

Scavenger Hunt
Quogue Wildlife Refuge
3 Old Country Rd.
Quogue
631-653-4771
4-5:30pm
Arrive promptly at 4:30 to get an overview of the refuge along with topography and trails. Then pick up your questions for the scavenger hunt and head out on the trails finding clues. Children must be accompanied by a supervising adult. Pre-registration required.

Pajama Story Time with singer songwriter Mike Solloway
Hauppauge Public Library
601 Veteran's Memorial Highway
Hauppauge
631-979-1600
7-7:45pm
ages 2 1/2-5 years
Pre-registration required

Erik's Reptile Adventure
Westhampton Free Library
7 Library Avenue
Westhampton Beach
631-288-3335
Presentation features live reptiles and amphibians! Children will see, touch, and learn about the lives of these amazing animals. Registration required.

Thursday, May 2nd

Nature Sun Prints
Quogue Wildlife Refuge

3 Old Country Rd.
Quogue
4-5:30pm
631-453-4771
free

Meet the Animals
Sands Point Preserve
127 Middle Neck Rd.
Sand's Point
516-571-7901
$20/car
5-7:30pm
Meet the Animals will begin with a scavenger hunt, and continue with a pizza dinner, and a live animal presentation.

Friday, May 3rd

Family Game Night
Quogue Wildlife Refuge
3 Old Country Rd.
Quogue
Free
6:30-8:00pm
631-453-4771
Reserve a table at the refuge and enjoy a board game you've brought from home. The night will begin with some wildlife trivia and prizes. Please contribute a snack for the snack table. 

Sunday,  May 5th

Family Concert
Celebrate America with Lou DelBianco
Hauppauge Public Library
601 Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppauge 
631-979-1600
Through story-telling and music Lou brings to life some of American folklore's most colorful legends, like Paul Bunyan and Sally Ann Thunder. Sing along to some of your favorites like, I've Been Working on the Railroad and This Land is Your Land.

 

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