Family Fun in the Hamptons Sun

The East End offers many natural wonders including miles of beaches and hiking trails. But to truly “do the Hamptons” this summer—be sure to take in these great East End family-friendly activities:

Montauk Whale Watching
Join professional marine biologists from the Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island (CRESLI) for whale watching trips off Montauk. Whales of all kinds, including Humpback, Fin, Minke, Right, Sei, and Pilot, can all be spotted. In addition, expect to see dolphins (Common, Bottlenose, Atlantic White Sided and Risso’s), turtles (Leatherback, Green and Loggerhead), sharks (Basking, Great White, Hammerhead and Blue), and other marine life. The 2016 Viking Fleet Whale Watching trips take place during July and August. Visit vikingfleet.com/bookwhalewatching for reservations or call 631-668-5700. 62 Westlake Drive, Montauk.

Dan’s Papers Kite Fly
What’s better than ending a Sunday beach day with the simple pleasure of flying a kite? Head to Sagg Main Beach in Sagaponack on Saturday, August 6 for the 44th annual Dan’s Papers Kite Fly! Enjoy live music as you watch your kite soar over the beach in the summer breeze. Newsday named Dan’s Papers’ Kite Fly one of the Top 50 Family Things To Do during the Long Island summer season. This free Hamptons tradition promises to entertain both the young and the young-at-heart. Prizes awarded to the most outstanding kites, both homemade and store-bought. Check out DansPapers.com for more details as the event gets closer!

Goat On A Boat Puppet Theatre
The beloved Sag Harbor puppet theater introduces young children and their families to a lifelong love of theater and arts. Everyone is sure to have a laugh during these puppet shows, which are performed at 11 a.m. on show days at Bay Street Theater. Puppet productions in store for this summer include Caps For Sale, Cinderella and Gustafer Yellowgold’s Dark Pie Concerns. Visit goatonaboat.com or call 631-725-9500 for a complete calendar of events. “Goat” located at 1 Bay Street, Sag Harbor.

Children’s Museum of the East End
Keep your kids learning and playing this summer at the Children’s Museum of the East End (CMEE). The museum’s wide range of exhibits includes everything from a physics and math-based miniature golf course to a drop-in art studio. CMEE’s Lego club is held every Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon, Kids can construct anything their imagination desires. Visit cmee.org or call 631-537-8250 for more info. CMEE is located at 376 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton.

Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center
A world of adventure awaits the entire family at the Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center in Riverhead. Stand inches away from striking sea predators. See cuddly marmosets, sea otters and African penguins at the Aquarium’s marine exhibits. In addition, the exhibition center boasts birds, butterflies, bugs and creatures of the night. Daily events at the center include a sea lion show, shark feedings, and animal talks. For more info, visit longislandaquarium.com or call 631-208-9200. The aquarium is located at 431 East Main Street, Riverhead.

The South Fork Natural History Museum
The South Fork Natural History Museum (SoFo) in Bridgehampton allows kids and adults to discover the natural history of the South Fork. Museum visitors can begin their exploration indoors, as a walk through the interactive and hands-on exhibits mimics a nature hike. The journey at SoFo continues outdoors where guests can observe 70 preserved acres of Long Island’s plants and wildlife on the museum’s panoramic deck. SoFo is open daily, and special events are planned throughout the summer. For more information, visit sofo.org or call 631-537-9735. SoFo is located at 377 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton.

The Montauk Lighthouse
Take the family to The End for the day to see a national historic landmark. The Montauk Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in the state. Climb the 137 steps to the top, and catch a view of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Block Island. Guests can also visit the museum, which features the original lighthouse keeper’s bedroom among other preserved rooms. August 20 is Lighthouse Weekend, when visitors can enjoy colonial toys and games, leather making and traditional poetry, among other presentations. Visit montauklighthouse.com for additional details.

Wichham’s Fruit Farm
Wickham’s Fruit Farm in Cutchogue dates back to 1661. Their pick-your-own can’t be beat as a family summer tradition. Starting in June, visitors to the farm can pick fresh strawberries right off the vine. In July, cherries and blueberries ripen, and by the end of August, Wickham’s orchard is full of perfect peaches. Visit every month, and you’ll find new experiences every time. The farm is open Monday through Saturday, and is located at 28700 Route 25, Cutchogue. Visit wickhamsfruitfarm.com for more info.

Paddle The Peconic
Experience the beauty of the Peconic River up close. Peconic Paddler offers stand up paddleboard and kayak rentals, as well as guided tours. Talk to Peconic Paddler owner Jim Dreeben, who will happily dish on his favorite local restaurants to enjoy after your workout. Those who really take to kayaking and stand up paddleboarding will enjoy the Long Island Paddle Battle, a series of races held on July 30. The races are open to people of all experience levels, with a special under-12 division. Peconic Paddler is located at 89 Peconic Avenue, Riverhead. Visit peconicpaddler.com or call 631-727-9895 for more information. For information on the Paddle Battle, visit paddlebattleli.com.

Charles Addams Cartoon Workshop
The Charles Addams Cartoon Workshops for Kids at the Bridgehampton Museum Archives runs 10 a.m.-2 p.m. July 11-15 and August 15-19. It’s a workshop for kids with instructor Peter Spacek using Addams’ delightful cartoons as inspiration for  students’ creations. Concludes with a field trip to the Addams House in Sagaponack for graduation and a tour. $225 per student. Call 631-537-1088.

The All Star
The All Star bowling alley will make the bowling experiences of your childhood seem like a different game. Perfect for a rainy day, The All Star has 22 glow-in-the-dark lanes beneath movies and sports projected over the big screen. After a round of bowling, challenge your kids to air hockey in the arcade, or feast on modern bowling alley fare at the Smitty’s restaurant. For more information, visit theallstar.com or call 631-904-0580. The All Star is located at 96 Main Road, Riverhead.

The Greenport Carousel
The restored Greenport Carousel has been entertaining families for almost a century, Located in Mitchell Park, the carousel is open daily in-season and boasts 36 horses, all jumpers, as well as two sleighs. Rides can be won by anyone daring enough to reach for the alluring brass ring. The carousel was built in1920 and was purchased by Grumman Peconic River Airport in Calverton, in the 1950s, When Northrup-Grumman closed in 1995, the carousel was donated to Greenport. For more information, visit villageofgreenport.org.