Welcome to The Nassau Dad Drop, the free weekly guide to Nassau County family life - written by a dad who got tired of missing stuff.
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🧔🏽♂️ Dad Thoughts: You Underestimate Him
My son is four. And since the moment he could actually communicate, he's been right more often than not.
He says "stop it!" when my wife and I let an argument run too long. He'll tell me "that wasn't nice, papa" when I'm too stern. But it's not just vibes. He remembers where we parked. He recalls places we're going back to months after the first visit. He reminds me of the grocery item his mom asked me to grab - the one I always forget.
I want to make a stronger effort to actively listen to him. And it's mainly because my dad recently told me something that stuck: "You underestimate him."
He's right.
We assume our kids slow us down. That they're just along for the ride. But most of the time, they're far more aware than we give them credit for. They see everything. They're the ones paying attention. It's only fair we start paying attention too.
Listen to your children.
⏰ ON THE CLOCK
Splish Splash Season Pass Deal - Up to 45% off season passes through Sat May 31. Gold pass for Silver pricing ($139.99).
Hempstead Town Beach Parking Pass - On sale now! Lifeguards go full-time Mon June 22. $12/car residents | $55 non-residents.
Long Island Ducks Father's Day BBQ - Sun June 21 special ticket on sale now. Sells out!
🚗 FAMILY FUN FIELD TRIPS
Dad-approved outings.
This Weekend → Massapequa Philharmonic 🎻 The InsideOut concert (not the Pixar film) puts you and the kids literally inside the orchestra - seated among the musicians. Great pick for curious kids who never sat through a concert before. Seating is limited (you're sitting where the violinists usually sit), so grab tickets early.
💰 Tickets start at $68
📅 Sat May 30 | 1 PM
🔗 tillescenter.org
This Weekend → Hempstead House Tours at Sands Point Preserve 🏰 Walk through the massive 50,000-square-foot Tudor-style mansion. Tickets sold day-of only at Castle Gould Welcome Center, so arrive early.
💰 Tour admission (purchase day-of in Welcome Center)
📅 Sun May 31 | Tours at 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM
🔗 sandspointpreserveconservancy.org
Mindful Nature Journaling at Jones Beach ENC 📓 Quiet, reflective outdoor journaling session on the back deck. Ages 8+, bring your own journal. A change of pace if you've got an older kid who likes to draw or write.
💰 Free ($10 parking)
📅 Fri June 5 | 1:30 PM - 3 PM
🔗 jonesbeachenc.org
Ducks FourLeaf Family Funday Sunday ⚾ Pregame catch on the field, postgame Kids Run the Bases (yes, your kid gets to run the bases at a real ballpark), plus Ducks sunglasses giveaway for the first 1,500 fans.
💰 Tickets from $17
📅 Sun June 7
🔗 liducks.com
Free Concert at Eisenhower Park Lakeside Theatre 🎸 Fun Lovin' Criminals and Blessid Union of Souls headline a free 90s nostalgia night. Bring a blanket, let the kids run wild on the lawn.
💰 Free
📅 Sun June 7 | 7 PM
🔗 nassaucounty facebook
In partnership with
Eight new trips designed for families in search of adventure
Intrepid's new Premium Family trips are the kind you'll reminisce about for years to come. The eight new trips across Borneo, Morocco, India, Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand and Egypt put small groups of families in the hands of Intrepid's most experienced local guides — with feature stays, cultural immersion, and kid-focused activities woven throughout. Stay in an overwater villa in Borneo and plant coral with your kids. Spend a night at a desert camp in Morocco under live Gnaoua music. See the Taj Mahal at sunrise as a family. Intrepid handles all the logistics so you can stay present for the moments that matter, while travelling in small groups of three to five like-minded families.
✏️ PENCIL IT IN
Future you will be glad you read this.
National Donut Day 🍩 Most chains hand out a free original glazed with any purchase (Krispy Kreme, Dunkin, check your local). Use it as the excuse to take the kid out before school.
💰 Free donut with purchase at most spots
📅 Fri June 5
🔗 nationaltoday.com
Long Island Pride Parade & Festival 🏳️🌈 35th annual, kicks off at Clinton Ave & Main St in Huntington Village and ends at Prime Ave. Family area, vendors, 5 hours of entertainment. Second-largest Pride event in the NY tri-state.
💰 Free
📅 Sun June 14 | 12 PM - 5 PM
🔗 lipride.org
SUMMERFEST at Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard 🎶 A high-energy summer kickoff from We Are Live - DJs, vendors, games, and a portion of proceeds going to Tunnel to Towers. Use promo code: NASSAUDADDROP for $5 off your ticket!
💰 Tickets from $24 with $5 off code NASSAUDADDROP
📅 Sat June 27 | 12 PM - 7 PM
🔗 posh.vip/e/summerfest
FourLeaf Air Show and Fireworks at Jones Beach ✈️ The U.S. Navy Blue Angels are joined by the Royal Air Force Red Arrows and the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team.
💰 $10 vehicle use fee | Chalet upgrades available
📅 Sun July 5 - Mon July 6
🔗 fourleafairshow.com
🔥 Worth the Scroll
The good stuff buried in the feed.
Wantagh Park 🌳 Most default to Jones Beach or Eisenhower, and look, those are great. But Wantagh Park is an underrated one. Playground, marina, bike and walking paths along the water, and way fewer crowds. It's always been one of our go-to spots. Pack a stroller, let the kids loose, and you've got an easy afternoon.
🔗 nassaucountytourism.com
The Arthur Podcast 🎧 Niam is hooked on the Arthur podcast right now. Same characters from the show, stories that actually hold his attention, and zero screen for the car. A win for everyone.
🔗 Apple Podcasts
Magic School Bus on Spotify 🚌 And when it's not Arthur, it's Ms. Frizzle. The classic Magic School Bus books are on Spotify as a listen-along playlist. Highly recommend for the to-and-from-school stretch.
🔗 Spotify
Two Things:
Forward this to Nassau County parents you think would appreciate it.
Hit reply and tell me anything - what you liked, what you want more of, what I missed. I read every single reply.
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See you next Thursday,
Akash