6 Things To Do on International Family Day on May 15, 2021
With spring well on its way, we are looking forward to May to welcome warmer weather and sunny days! May 15 is an extra special day because it's the International Day of Families!
We planned the perfect day for you and your family to spend the International Day of Families together!
#1 Make A Splash Together!
Start your day with some adventure and join TheWaterFront Center and Friends of The Bay for their Spring Kayak Conservation Cruise. This spring, we are launching from Laurel Hollow beach to explore the history and wildlife of Cold Spring Harbor. Participants will depart at 9 a.m. for a two-hour guided tour led by Breann Ross, a naturalist from The WaterFront Center, and Bill Bleyer, author, historian, and President of Friends of the Bay. You never know what animals might show up. In the fall, we were visited by a mother eagle and her young!
#2 Picnic at the Park!
Paddling will work up an appetite, so grab a basket and blanket and hit the park or the beach or even your backyard for a follow-up picnic! The night before, you can get your family involved and pre-make sandwiches and other snacks like trail mix to bring with you! Bring a ball to throw around or just a blanket and pillow to watch the clouds! Some admired local parks or beaches to visit are Beekman Beach, Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park, and Beach, Bayville Beach, or Centre Island Beach.
#3 Historical Adventure!
After you're full and have relaxed and gained more energy, have excellent post-lunch digestion while you visit one of Oyster Bays' prominent Historic Landmarks! Sagamore Hill, Raynham Hall, or the Railroad Museum are perfect historic locations to check out. At the Railroad Museum located here in Oyster Bay (1 Railroad Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771), your family will learn about all things trains and the history of the train line. You can even go down to the old train yard after seeing the historic turntable that turned all the trains! Take a trip to the 1700s at Raynham Hall Museum, where George Washington's secret agent Robert Townsend lived! If those don't pique your interest, you can always visit Sagamore Hill National Historic Site! Sagamore Hill was home to Theodore Roosevelt, our 26th President. If you can't go inside the museum or house, you can explore the vast property or orchards, meadows, and even a secret beach!
#4 Feel the Burn!
You might have picked up more energy while relaxing and meandering through the history of the train museum, so why not take your family on a bike ride! A bike ride is a great way to get your family out and moving! Pick a safe place like a park, beach, or boardwalk to safely ride your bikes without any cars around. Bikes promote good hand-eye coordination and dexterity skills for your kids. Don't have a bike? Alternatives to bikes can be scooters, rollerblades, or even walking! Some great local places to bike or hike are Caumsett State Historical Park, Shu Swamp Preserve, Planting Fields (walking only), or Muttontown Preserve.
#5 Dinner Time!
Appetites should be back up, so it's time for some tasty dinner. Hop get in the kitchen together and make a meal that the whole family can prepare together. Pizza is always an excellent option for home cooking. Everyone can pick a section and fill it with their favorite toppings! See if you can get some pizza dough from your local pizzeria (I.e., Oyster Bay Pietro's, Marios, or Umberto's). For a more significant challenge, make your pizza dough from scratch! Head down to your local market for some fresh veggies and cheese! Oyster Bay has the Oyster Bay Market on the weekends, where you can find just what you're looking for!
#6 Family Movie Night!
Once your bellies are full, head over to the couch for a family movie night! Pick out different movies from a hat or have everyone pick a movie from the same category: comedy, action, drama, or even something scary! You may still be full of dinner, but by the second movie, you'll have plenty of room for dessert! Grab your favorite candies the night before so that you have everything ready for Internation Day of Family. Alternatively, if you want to get out of the house and make it extra special, you can rent out a movie theater! Rent out your own movie theater with AMC Theaters and bring up to 20 guests for only $99. There's enough room for the whole family! If those two don’t pique your interest you can always look for drive-in movies where you can safely watch a movie with a crowd while staying safe in your car!
Don't let this day be the end of your family activities! Promote learning every week with your family by gardening, learning a new language, or activity! Here are some other programs we offer that are fun for the whole family!
Sign you and your family up for Community Oyster Gardening!
Your family will be able to raise and take care of Oysters all summer long! Raising oysters improves water quality and enhances marine habitat while establishing a sustainable Oyster Population. Not only will you learn about Oysters and create a safe environment for them, but you'll spend time with your neighbors and get to know your community while outside enjoying the weekend!
Bring your family on a Discovery Sail!
Take a maximum of 4 family members on a two-hour sail with a certified sailing instructor as you explore Oyster Bay's West Harbor. A Discover Sail is the perfect experience for inexperienced sailors who want to dip their toes into sailing or simply a relaxing cruise for the whole family!
Explore all the wildlife our waters have to offer on a Family Expedition!
This guided 90-minute program is excellent for the whole family. Everyone will learn the critical role each habitat plays as part of the larger marine ecosystem while making memories with friends and family! Discover local marine life with hands-on activities, including a marine organism touch tank, a scavenger hunt on the beach, and exploring the shoreline with a seine net. (Must have a minimum of 3 family members)
