5 ways for kids to keep cool on Long Island
Laura Strobel and the Espey family -- Matthew, Sean, Emma, and James -- escape the heat by riding Adventure Falls at Adventureland in Farmgindale. (July 7, 2012) Credit: Johnny Milano
When it's blazing hot and you want to cool off, heading to the beach or the pool is a no-brainer. But Dallas Cranmer, 12, of Central Islip has a more original way to get wet -- riding a crocodile at Adventureland.
"They've got a waterfall you can go under and get so soaked," he says of the Crocodile Run ride. It even beats the Farmingdale amusement park's log flume, he says.
Here are five ways to reach beyond the obvious when you want to drop your body temperature this summer:
2245 Broad Hollow Rd., Farmingdale, 631-694-6868, adventureland.us
Aidan Stukonis, 9, of West Babylon, instructed his cousin Sarah Cortez, 10, of Marietta, Ga., to wear her bathing suit under her clothes for their recent visit to Adventureland. Aidan says he knew they'd be frequenting the water rides. "It keeps you hydrated; it feels so cold and refreshing," he says.
2549 Splish Splash Dr., Calverton; 631-727-3600, splish splashlongisland.com
New this year is Dinosaur Falls, an existing tube slide that's been redone to take riders on a prehistoric journey. Must be 42 inches tall or ride in a double tube with an adult.
This nautical-themed spray park is filled with six inches of water. A pirate in his boat oversees the circular spray area; every 15 seconds a full barrel of water dumps onto part of the park. Slides, a spraying lighthouse and water pipes are other dripping wet options. "It felt like it was a massage," says James Poplaski, 8, of Holbrook, who was standing underneath a water pipe in his SpongeBob bathing trunks. Says mom, Karrie, of the spray park: "It's similar to Sesame Place."
8 Bayville Ave., Bayville, 516-624-7433; bayvilleadventurepark.com
Face off with someone in a Water Balloon fight -- each side gets a crate of water balloons; put them in your catapult and lob them at the opponent's target. If you hit it, he's drenched by a spray of water. This is one contest you might try to lose. "It made me all cool," says Ava Kotlier, 9, of Little Neck, who played against sister Sabrina. Bumper boats also get riders wet -- a button lets riders spray at other boats' passengers.
Kerrigan Road, Copiague, 631-893-2100
"I don't want to leave," Nicholas Crone, 6, of West Babylon, told his mom, Jeanna, when she suggested it might be time to go home. Mom couldn't blame him. "It's nice and clean and family-oriented," she says of the spray park. "I see a lot of staff here that keep an eye on things, and that's important." Nicholas' favorite spot: Underneath the tree, whose green top shoots water. "You get your hair wet," Nicholas says.
