The Carriage Museum at Long Island Museum, showing the "Going Places" gallery with the Grace Darling in the foreground. Photo Courtesy: J. Diamond/LIM
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Where to take dad this weekend for some family fun

Jaclyn Gangi , , , , , , , , ,

Are you still wondering where to take dad in celebration of Father’s Day? Ponder no more, as some of our favorite Long Island attractions are offering events, held on either June 16 or 17, that are low-cost, no cost, or with free admission for dad.

For hands-on crafts and activities that dads and the kids can enjoy, Garvies Point Museum and Preserve in Glen Cove and Sands Point Preserve in Sands Point are the places to be.

Garvies Point Museum and Preserve: Native American Father’s Day. On Saturday, dad and the kids can take a trip to this Glen Cove hot-spot for some historical fun, like making fire without matches, grinding corn with a mortar and pestle, and using a primitive drill to drill into stone. And though I’m sure dads will be stoked to handle authentic tools and other artifacts, they’ll be just as happy to sit and create an arrowhead necklace with their little ones. There will also be a screening of the 1967 Disney film, “The Legend of the Boy and the Eagle.” Garvies Point is located at 50 Barry Drive. 516-571-8010. garviespointmuseum.com.

Sands Point Preserve: Birdhouse Building. On Sunday, dad and family-member(s) can build a wooden birdhouse together. This program, offered from 10-11:30 a.m. and noon-1:30 p.m., also features Ranger Eric Powers, who will talk about native birds and their habitats, and the Audubon Society, whose representatives will discuss avian species and habitat conservation. The Preserve is located at 127 Middle Neck Road. Advance ticket purchase is requested. Choose your session time and purchase by calling 516-570-2185, or online at sandspointpreserveconservancy.org.

Dads will receive free admission to these venues, when accompanied with a child, on Sunday:

Is dad a “motorhead”? The Field of Wheels, on Saturday, and Merrick Car Show, on Sunday, have free admission for all, anyhow! Head to the grounds of Newsday (235 Pinelawn Road, Melville) for the Field of Wheels Car Show, taking place from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Entry to the event is free, but tickets are required. Find tickets: newsdayevents.com/field-of-wheels. See cars, motorcycles and trucks at the Merrick Car Show, which takes place at the Merrick LIRR Station (Sunrise Highway), from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. There will also be food trucks and vendors. Find the event on facebook.com/COBAwidowsandchildrensfund.

See — there’s plenty to do with dad, all weekend long!