Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do with Kids in Smithtown, NY

  • Published 2022/11/27

Smithtown is a delightful little town in Suffolk County, New York.

Originally known as “Smithfield,” it was first settled in 1665 and has been home to a vibrant and lovely community ever since.

It’s a place that’s filled with life and culture, making it the perfect place for any family to explore and settle in.

There’s always a lot to do, ranging from kayaking to catching a show at their local performance center.

If you’re looking for things to do with your kid there, then here are the best things to do with kids in Smithtown, NY:

Explore the Caleb Smith State Park Reserve

A house at the Caleb Smith State Park Reserve

AJW1188, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sitting at the heart of Smithtown with more than 540 acres of expansive land, the Caleb Smith State Park Reserve is a great destination for the entire family.

Everywhere you turn, you’ll be greeted with picturesque views that you won’t want to miss out on.

The park staff offers nature programs all year round for people of all ages, so check those out if you’re looking for a summer activity for your kid.

Signage of Caleb Smith State Park Reserve

DanTD, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Children aged 15 and under are also invited to fish on Willow Pond during certain months.

And, if you’re looking for an activity everyone in the family can do, you can also go bird watching and look for the many feathered creatures that can be found in the area.

Caleb Smith State Park Reserve is massive, with a host of activities that everyone in the family will love, so give the place a shot if you get the chance.

Visit the Smithtown Historical Society

The Smithtown Historical Society is often called the “Hidden Gem” of Smithtown, and no more actual words could have been said.

Their mission is to preserve local history for future generations—a task they’ve been doing since 1995.

If you want your child to learn more about the place’s history, then there’s no better place to go.

One of the main events they host each year is the Heritage County Fair.

There are many things for your kid to do there, such as letting them have fun with petting zoos or riding ponies.

You can also watch reenactions organized by the Smithtown Historical Society portraying key historical moments in the community’s history.

Let Your Kid Study an Instrument at The Piano Studio for Kids

Music is an art that touches the soul, and if you want your kid to learn more about it, then sign them up for classes at The Piano Studio for Kids.

Some people think that musical talent is something you’re born with, but more often than not, it’s something you learn through a whole lot of practice and passion.

And no one has more of those than a child interested in learning something they love.

The studio has trained tutors that offer piano, viola, guitar, and violin lessons that will make your kid fall in love with the art form.

So, get them to try it out and see their skills develop into something beautiful and majestic.

Watch a Show at the Smithtown Performing Arts Center

A fun performance from the Smithtown Performing Arts Center is a great way to have fun with your child.

They host a wide variety of shows throughout the season that your kid is bound to find engaging and interesting.

There’s also the children’s theater, specifically designed to appeal to younger audiences.

A love for theater is a great way to nurture a love for the arts in general, and it’s never to start your kid too early on that kind of thing.

Give the Smithtown Performing Arts Center a visit and see what they have to offer for your child.

Sign Your Child Up for Gymnastics Classes at The Little Gym of Smithtown

Gymnastics classes offered by The Little Gym of Smithtown are a great way to get your kids to channel their energy into something fun and productive.

The lessons they’ll get in that place are special with the positive learning environment.

They’ll help build the kid’s confidence and encourage them to try new things—all while the instructors nurture happy and confident kids.

For younger children, you may want to look into their parent/child classes, which are designed to promote early development and provide a strong foundation for a child’s critical early years.

As they get older, you can also sign them up for more advanced lessons.

There are Pre-K and grade school gymnastics where they can tackle new challenges in the sport while learning through a caring and structured environment that will always prioritize their safety, well-being, and happiness first.

And if your kid wants more, give them the opportunity to grow!

Sign them up for the special training camps hosted by The Little Gym of Smithtown, where they can spend fun and adventure-filled weeks learning more advanced gymnastics techniques with their friends in an interactive and engaging environment.

Find Superhero Comics at Kyle’s Comics

Comic books are a great way to get your kid into reading, and Kyle’s Comics provides a wide variety of fun and engaging titles for your kid to choose from.

If your kid is into superheroes, then they’ll absolutely love this place–-it’s superpower wonderland, and they’ll find the story of heroes wherever they turn.

They have all the classics you can dream of, from Golden Age Superman titles to iconic Spider-man issues.

You can even find Star Wars titles there!

It’s so easy to let your kid run free in the store so they can figure out what comic book calls best to them, but if they’re having trouble picking, you can also ask for advice from their staff.

The people running the store are comic book aficionados themselves, so you can trust that they’ve read everything in the store and can give you great picks for your kids to read.

And, if you’re a comic book collector yourself, you can also head over there and sell some of the old issues you’ve collected to Kyle’s Comics and do your part in passing on the love of superheroes to the next generation.

Go Fishing at Miller’s Pond County Park

A trip in nature is sometimes all you and your kid need for quality parent-child bonding time, and there’s no better place to do that than at Miller’s Pond County Park.

It’s a great view you won’t regret seeing with your child.

And, if you’re looking to start some new family traditions, you can try out fishing there.

Bond over the patience and skill needed to do the task and savor the fruits of your efforts.

But remember that if you do plan to have a fishing trip in Miller’s Pond County Park, statewide fishing regulations still apply there, and plan accordingly.

Browse Through the Selection of the Smithtown Library

The Smithtown Library, like all libraries, is completely dedicated to fostering a love and appreciation for reading in the next generation.

If you want your child to learn how to love reading and storytelling, this place is as reliable as any to get started.

It has a wide selection of stories and genres for all ages, and if you’re not sure which book to let your child read, you can always ask the librarians.

They have a vast knowledge of a lot of titles, and they’re gonna find something your kid is going to love.

They also curate reading lists and tips to make the journey easier for parents. There are even ebooks and online resources available to ensure that books and literature is accessible to everyone who may need them.

There are titles specifically tailored for children of certain age groups, so if you’re really feeling lost, you can just start there and see what happens.

And if you live close to the area, you can even have your teen volunteer at the Smithtown Library and do their own part in fostering the love for reading among their peers.

Go Kayaking at Paul T Given County Park

A bridge over the waters of Paul T Given County Park

DanTD, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

When you’re in Smithtown, there’s no better place to go kayaking than at Paul T Given County Park.

It’s a small, tiny thing tucked in the side of the road and under the railroad trestle.

It’s a quiet place to get away, and if you’re interested, go kayaking with your kid.

You can bring your own kayak and just use the little launching area nestled next to the river.

And if you don’t own one, don’t let that stop you or your child from enjoying yourselves—there are kayaks and canoe rentals nearby where you can get everything you need.

Paul T Given County Park doesn’t have a lot of frills, but it’s still a fun and easy place to go to if you want some peace and quiet with your family.

See the Stump Pond at the Blydenburgh County Park

In the 1800s, the Blydenburgh family had the headwaters of the Nissequogue River damned, resulting in a pond, now known as the Stump Pond, being formed as the original banks were flooded—nowadays, the Blydenburgh County Park surrounds the body of water formed.

There are various trails in the park that you can follow if you want to adventure with your kids.

One of these is the Long Island Greenbelt Trail, which runs along the North end of Stump Pond.

You can also visit a historic district at the northern end of the park, where you and your family can see some of the old structures that once populated the place.

There are a lot of beautiful sights to see in Blydenburgh County Park, but it’s definitely one of those places where you have to witness yourself with your family to understand its beauty properly.

See the Plants and Animals at the Sweetbriar Nature Center

The Sweetbriar Nature Center is a woodland, varied garden, field, woodland, and wetland habitats all in one.

It’s a great place to visit if your child is interested in nature.

There are hundreds of species of animals and plants there, just waiting to be discovered.

Take your kid there and explore the many things they have; maybe you and your kid may even learn something new along the way.

The Sweetbriar Nature Center has a lot of magic and wonder to offer, and sometimes those are just the things that every parent and child needs to have fun.

Explore Graphic Novels at 4th World Comics

Another comic book store worth visiting with your kid would be the 4th World Comics.

Operating for more than 35 years, it’s one of the best sources of comic books in the area, and your kid is sure to love the titles they have on sale.

It’s a local landmark, and whether your kid is picking up their first Avengers comic or beginning their Batman titles, this place will have exactly what they need.

4th World Comics also offers discounts and special offers for back issues and new comic purchases—it’s definitely a place determined to give their customers a good deal.

And comic books aren’t the only things they sell.

You can also purchase toys and collectibles there, the selection specifically curated by the staff to appeal to old-timey fans and newbies alike.

So head on over there if you’re looking to get your kid into comics or if you’re looking to relieve your own childhood experiences and share the magic of superheroes with them.

Have Fun With the Family at Smithtown Recreation

Regularly having fun with your kid by doing recreational activities is probably every parent’s dream, and Smithtown Recreation provides you with the space and opportunity to do just that.

They host various events throughout the year to engage the community and let people have fun with each other and their families.

There are sporting events, such as softball, baseball clinics, and so much more.

Sometimes, they also host public ice skating and gymnastics programs, so make sure to check those out if your child is interested in those sports.

Smithtown Recreation provides valuable opportunities that’ll help you spend time with your child, and that’s just something you don’t want to miss out on.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Have Your Kid Learn Music and Languages at Tot Music

Tots Music aims to nurture the musical abilities of every child out there, and if you want your kid to develop a love for art, then it’s the perfect place to take them.

They offer a unique program that combines music with Spanish language immersion, designed for both beginners and native speakers.

So, when you sign up your kids for their classes, you get a two-in-one: musical talents and language learning.

Childhood is the perfect time to learn things when their minds still pick things up rapidly and they’re still full of curiosity and wonder about the world.

Tots Music is committed to creating a culture that’s not just comprised of music consumers but of music creators as well, and if you want your kid to be part of that, then sign them up and watch them grow into something beautiful.

Let Your Kid Attend Art Classes From Art Soul Studio

Signing your kid up for art classes from the Art Soul Studio may be one of the best things you can do for them.

The place is fun, playful, warm, and specially designed to bring out the creativity in every kid.

They have classes for children ages 2-3 years old, where they can explore different art materials while also experiencing new textures, improving their fine motor skills, and just generally learning to enjoy their own creativity in a fun group setting.

For older kids, on the other hand, you can sign them up for drawing classes.

There are beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels and the lessons are tailored in each one to bring out a child’s skills and inspire them to create more art.

Aside from those, there are also more unique and varied classes, such as painting, mixed media, and cartoon drawing.

Whatever art path your child wishes to take, you can rest assured that the Art Soul Studio is going to give them a great time that they’re gonna treasure for the rest of their lives.

Final Thoughts

The magic of Smithtown, New York, isn’t the kind that fades easily.

The more you explore the place with your kids, the more you’ll find.

So, if you want to learn more about it, visit and see if any of the things they offer catch your eye.

Who knows? You might even find yourself staying once you or your child find something to fall in love with.

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