Patch Picks: Top 5 Places to Take Your Kids

As we begin the last month of the summer, your kids may start getting bored with the same old thing. Luckily for you, there are plenty of places to take them so they can burn off all that energy and hopefully learn something new. This week, we are telling you where to go with your kids.

Sachem Patch picks the Top 5 Places to Take Your Kids:

1. Village Green Mini Golf and Kids-Town, 974 Portion Road, Lake Ronkonkoma: This themed golf course reminds you that you are not in Kansas anymore. With every song and life-size character from Wizard of Oz, this attraction creates a unique experience close to home, and you don’t have to click your heels together to get there. In the Kids-Town area there are giant blow-ups of spaceships and slides that your children can bounce on until they tire.
2. Karts Indoor Raceway, 701 Union Parkway, Ronkonkoma: This indoor go-kart track has an area for the older kids and adults to race and a separate junior track for younger kids so they can safely drive around until you have to physically pry their hands from the steering wheel. Check the internet specials before you go to save a couple bucks while watching lap after lap after lap. They also have arcade games and a handful of mini-bowling lanes, just in case your kids get sick of driving around in circles.
3. Sachem Public Library, 150 Holbrook Road, Holbrook: The library isn’t just for books anymore. This summer there is a full schedule of activities for kids. This month, they can learn about Shaolin Kung Fu on August 6, see Lion King II: Simba’s Pride on August 13 and listen to stories while in their pajamas on August 8 and 17. While your kids are enjoying themselves, you can even soothe yourself with a hot beverage at the Library Cafe just past the circulation desk.
4. Brookhaven Ecology Site, Park and Animal Preserve, 249 Buckley Road, Holtsville: Locals know it as the Holtsville Ecology Site and kids know it as the place where animals live. Kids can see bald eagles, bobcats, bears and mountain lions that were rehabilitated after being injured, ALL FOR FREE. However, there are donation boxes scattered throughout the preserve for you to drop some money into if your kids are enjoying themselves and you are feeling generous. You may also want to take some quarters to feed the animals in the petting zoo area.
5. Pump It Up, 1750 Arctic Avenue, Islip: Jumping around for hours will surely have your kids in bed before primetime TV. On certain days Pump It Up has “Pop-In Playtime” and this month the dates are August 4, 7, 12, 16, 21, 24 and 29. For only $12.95 kids can jump around for two hours on a variety of blow-ups that include slides, bounce houses, obstacle courses and basketball nets. And, in the back corner of the room, there is an air hockey table, so bring quarters.