Long Island Parent Talk

Most second graders believe in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy. Many play with Barbie dolls and Legos. And, according to a new study found in the Journal of Adolescent Health, about 37 percent of 8-year-olds have sipped alcohol.

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh followed more than 450 children from ages 8 through 18. The kids were asked how old they were when...

Calling all budding artists, the U.S. Kids magazines ("Turtle," "Humpty Dumpty" and "Jack and Jill") annual cover contest recently kicked off.

The cover contest is open to children ages 3 -12 and this year's theme is "If I Had A Superpower." Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges that includes Jim Davis (cartoonist and creator of "Garfield"),...

Kids looking for something to do this summer? Why not make a daily plan to do something fun with family and friends — whether it's in your backyard or at a nearby destination?

According to a new Busch Gardens survey, 49 percent of kids agree and actually ask for more opportunities to engage in more unstructured outdoor play — with or without friends. And more than two-thirds of moms feel that...

Vintage carousels. French-inspired carnival rides. Parisian street fair sweets and eats. If you're heading into Manhattan with the family this summer, you may want to check out Fete Paradiso fair.

The first festival of vintage French carnival rides and carousels will debut tomorrow on Governors Island. The museum-quality collection of Fete Paradiso includes attractions from the late 19th and...

In my ongoing quest to find tasty, kid-friendly food appropriate for the whole family, this week I chose a delicious steak dish that can be barbecued or cooked indoors. I found the recipe in "Fresh," by the editors at Better Homes and Gardens (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; $29.99).

Soy-Glazed Flank Steak with Blistered Green Beans (Makes 4 servings)

Ingredients — 1 pound fresh...

If you have a teenager at home, you may want to listen up: July is the most dangerous month to drive, according to a new study from Driving-Tests.org.

The learning site for permit test preparation and new driver education compared National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data on traffic fatalities from 2005 through 2011 and found the summer months to be the most dangerous time...

Dragging luggage through the airport with a screaming baby. Listening to "are we there yet?" over and over again. Poorly-timed bathroom incidents, lost pacifiers and more.

Now that school's out, many families may be heading on vacation, and whether you're flying or driving, heading to a tropical destination or an amusement park, there are many ways parents can help their kids' avoid...

Now that the summer months are here, you'd think kids would spend more time outside. But according to a new Busch Gardens survey, most kids only spend two hours during the week in natural, unstructured activities such as playing tag, riding bikes and exploring nature.

In fact, 85 percent of moms worry that their children aren't spending enough time outdoors, yet 56 percent of moms never or...

Looking for things to do with the kids besides hitting the beach or heading to barbecues? From carnivals and crafts to performances, Fourth of July celebrations and more, there's so much to do on Long Island. Here are 8 fun, family-friendly activities this weekend:

1. Stars and Stripes Festival at the Talfor Boat Basin (Main and Front streets; East Rockaway). Kids and adults will enjoy games,...

Just because school's out doesn't mean your kids have to veer off their normal routine, especially when it comes to healthy eating.

Kate Geagan, author of "Go Green, Get Lean" (Rodale; $) and nutritionist for Earth's Best offered five tips to keep your kids snacking healthfully all summer long.

1. Include a fruit or a veggie in at least one snack each day. Most children don't...