School’s out and the Huber boys have a bunch of fun things planned for this summer.
Sure, they’ll be spending some time indoors playing video games, but mostly they’ll be running, biking and playing in the water.
Need plans for the little ones? Here are some North Fork ideas you can do with your kids to keep them moving and active during the summer months.
Make sure you have a great bike.
Brian and Evan both recently got new bikes from Country Time Cycle in Mattituck. The staff was great, incredibly helpful and Brian and Evan love their new bikes. Evan’s still learning to ride, but Brian organizes (and usually wins) neighborhood races. More importantly, they don’t leave the driveway without their helmets.
Teach a kid to fish
Brian and Evan spend a lot of time at the beach with their grandparents during the summer and one of Brian’s favorite things to do is fish. Last year, we let him go out on the Peconic Star for the first time. Bill and I weren’t sure if he was going to have the stamina to be out the whole day, but he loved it and is planning a few more trips this year with his uncle and his grandfather. According to Brian’s notebook, his largest catch of the 2014 season was a 13” bass. He’s hoping to beat his record this year.
Buy a ball
Yes, there are still games of kickball that happen in neighborhoods. The kids in our neighborhood play them here nearly every day. Sometimes they end with parents fishing a ball out of the nearby pond, but the kids still have fun. They’ve also “invented” a game called “Jackpot,” with rules that only make sense to the seven or so kids that play in front of our house.
Go for 10,000
One of my challenges this summer is trying to get to 10,000 steps every day. Brian and Evan are trying to help me with this by taking me for walks on trails, pushing me to go to parks and by being my “walking buddy” on grocery store trips. There are so many apps and devices that can help you meet your goals, but nothing works better to get you moving than a determined kid.
Two great hikes are Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchogue and Inlet Pond Park in Greenport.
Take your kids somewhere they’ve never been.
If your kids haven’t been to Riverhead Raceway, Splish Splash, seen a Tall Ship, visited a state park or been to a Brady Rymer concert, take them there this summer. There are fairs, farms ice cream socials, concerts, library programs and other events to take kids on the North Fork. We love finding new places to visit and it really gives kids an appreciation for the great place they live in.
So, take a day off from work, put down the electronics and let your kids remind you about the best parts of summer: playing outside until dark, running through sprinklers and finding new adventures.
Or take your kids to some of these great events:
On Friday, July 3, from 6 to 9:45 p.m. theRiverhead Business Improvement District will sponsor the annual Independence celebration on the Peconic River. Brady Rymer and the Little Band that could will perform, as well as Misspent Youth. There will be lots of activities for kids and fireworks around 9:45 p.m.
The annual Love Lane Street Fair will take place June 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Love Lane in Mattituck. There will be vendors, live music and the crowning of Little Miss and Mr. Mattituck.
One of our family favorites, the Long Island Antique Power Authority Summer Show will take place the weekend of July 11 and 12 at the association’s grounds on Sound Avenue. There will be lots of antique tool displays, tractors, machines, and models. Kids are free.
On Tuesday, July 7, at 6 p.m. Lena and the Happy Clam band will perform as part of the annual Young Folks Summer Showcase. The concert will take place on the Cutchogue Village Green. Inclement weather moves the concert to Parish Hall in Cutchogue.
Don’t forget about the carnivals in Greenport and Wading River! Greenport Fire Department’s annual carnival will begin Wednesday, July 1 and run through Sunday, July 5. Fireworks will go off July 4 and 5 at 10 p.m. Peconic Bay Medical Center’s annual family festival will take place July 1 through July 4 near the King Kullen Shopping Center.
