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: Mom Edition
This weekend is Mother's Day, so instead of reading my thoughts take the time now to text the mom in your life and give her some love. Finalize plans for this weekend. Place the order for that last-minute gift. Make sure you’re ready to go! If you still need ideas, there are a few in the Worth the Scroll section at the end of this email.
Take the time to make it special for her. Because she makes every day special for you.
I'll use this space to say thank you to my first love, my mom, and to my forever home, my wife. One gave me life. The other gives me purpose. Love you both. Happy Mother’s Day! ❤️
🚗 FAMILY FUN FIELD TRIPS
Dad-approved outings.
This Weekend → Hicksville Summer Carnival 🎡 Big rides, fried dough, and zero parking fees. Final week is in full swing - the carnival runs daily through Sunday May 17 at Broadway Commons.
💰 Free admission; unlimited rides wristband $42 on-site, single ticket $1.50
📅 May 7-17
🔗 dreamlandamusements.com
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical 🚌 Mo Willems' picture-book hit with singing, mischief, and buckets of audience participation at the Long Island Children's Museum Theater. Weekday shows fill with school groups - book ahead.
💰 $15 Theater ticket
📅 Multiple dates
🔗 licm.org
Tiny Tots: Insects at Jones Beach ENC 🐛 Bug-themed creative play for ages 2-4. Mostly indoor with a possible short outdoor bit, runs 60 minutes. RSVP required.
💰 $4 per program participant
📅 Fri May 15 | 11 AM - 12 PM
🔗 jonesbeachenc.org
Sean Kenney's Nature Connects: LEGO Brick Sculptures 🧱 17 larger-than-life sculptures made from over 300,000 LEGO bricks, scattered through the gardens. A fox mid-step, a hummingbird on a flower, a giant butterfly. Runs through September 7, but this is opening weekend. Pair it with the Garden Days plant sale and you've got the field trip of the spring.
💰 Included with admission: $22 adults / $20 seniors & students / $12 kids 7-17 / free under 6.
📅 May 15 - Member’s Preview, May 16 - Public Opening, runs through Sept 7
🔗 oldwestburygardens.org
Cradle-Con 🦸 Pop culture con at Cradle of Aviation. 2026 theme: Celebrating GI Joe. Cosplay, 60+ free-play arcade cabinets, vendors, kids' activities.
💰 At the door Adults $30, Kids $20
📅 Sat May 16 & Sun May 17 | 10 AM - 5 PM
🔗 cradleofaviation.org
Bethpage Spring Street Fair 🎪 Broadway in downtown Bethpage shuts down for ~75 vendors, food trucks, live DJ, and kid stuff (think bounce houses and crafts). A classic, low-pressure Sunday family stroll, run by the Bethpage Central Park Kiwanis Club.
💰 Free admission (food and rides priced individually)
📅 Sun May 17 | 10 AM - 5 PM
🔗 nassaucountyfairs.com
✏️ PENCIL IT IN
Future you will be glad you read this.
School Budget Vote & Board of Education Election 🗳️ The single most important local vote on your calendar. Your school district sets the property tax bill that dwarfs every other tax line, and turnout is usually low.
📅 Tue May 19 | Hours vary by district (most 6 AM - 9 PM or 7 AM - 9 PM)
🔗 Check your district website
Levittown, Merrick, and Westbury Carnivals 🎢 Dreamland's Long Island carnival tour rolls right back into Nassau the week after Hicksville wraps. All three run May 21-25: Levittown - behind P.C. Richard & Son, Merrick - LIRR Station, Westbury - Samanea Mall by Dave & Buster’s.
💰 Free admission, paid rides (~$42 wristbands on-site)
📅 Thu May 21 - Sun May 25
🔗 dreamlandamusements.com
Jones Beach Revolutionary War Village - America250 Kickoff 🇺🇸 Memorial Day weekend kickoff at Field 3½: reenactors playing George Washington, Ben Franklin, and the four NY signers of the Declaration. Plus Revolutionary War encampments, fife and drum band, colonial cooking demos, inflatable play areas for the little ones, and a patriotic drone show.
💰 Their site says $4 per person but also Free Event 🤔 ($10 parking fee)
📅 Sat May 23
🔗 parks.ny.gov
🔥 Worth the Scroll
My last minute Mother’s Day favorites for those still putting the plan together.
Date Night at Toto's Steakhouse 🥩 Wantagh steakhouse with a warm, welcoming feel - set up like an Italian-style living room. Get a sitter, leave the kids at home, and remind your wife she's a person and not just "Mom." (We’ll be there tomorrow evening!)
🔗 totossteakhouse.com
Pizza Date Night at Anna 🍕 Prefer pizza over steak? Me too. Anna in Woodbury is our current favorite - outstanding pizza in a polished but never stuffy setting. Don’t sleep on the meatballs.
🔗 annapizzawine.com
Cakes from Nothing Bundt Cakes 🎂 Always-reliable gem that never misses. Multiple locations in Nassau. The gift packaging is already done for you - just walk out the door looking like you planned this.
🔗 nothingbundtcakes.com
Desserts from Layer's Bake Shop 🧁 Westbury bakery making custom cakes, cake cups, and the kind of dessert spread that makes the mom in your life think you went somewhere fancy. (Kiara’s favorite: the Ferrero Rocher cupcake)
🔗 layersbakeshop.com
Candle Warmer Lamp 🕯️ Kiara absolutely loves ours. It melts whatever scented candle you put under it - no flame, no smoke, just the smell. Highly rated on Amazon, $30-ish, and Prime can deliver overnight if you order today.
🔗 amzn.to/42jTslA
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