Jaime Sumersille

Jaime Sumersille, a mom of two boys in Bellmore, has been writing for Mommy Poppins for over a decade. She’s always exploring Long Island’s beaches, parks, and new attractions, and loves sharing those experiences on the site. Jaime enjoys adding her family’s perspective to Mommy Poppins’ mission.

Latest posts by Jaime

Topgolf Brings Family Golf Fun to Long Island

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 12:10pm

Swing for the fences at Topgolf in Holtsville.

Long Island has finally joined the Dallas-based Topgolf family with a location in Holtsville. Topgolf, a tech-driven place with 102 climate-controlled bays, boasts a seasonal chef-driven menu, drinks, live music, and year-round programming in a three-story outdoor space. Kids can tee off for a digitized round of golf, and while a hole-in-one isn't guaranteed a visit full of excitement is!

Long Island has plenty more sports-centric fun zones for your competitive crew. Or try a round of mini golf instead!

Scale the Long Island Aquarium's New Treehouse Dubbed the Eye Opener

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 08/30/2021 - 9:00am

Challenge yourself on the rope bridge along the Eye Opener.

The Long Island Aquarium has opened a massive treehouse-like outdoor exhibit overlooking the bucolic Peconic River. The Eye Opener stands 60 feet tall and has five levels for visitors to explore. With a new seal pup and penguin chick, added animal encounters and more, Long Island's only aquarium is seeking to engage new and returning guests with innovative and engaging exhibits and activities.

Check our articles on petting zoos and nature centers for more local animal fun.

I.Fly Trapeze Offers High-Flying Fun

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 08/09/2021 - 1:20pm

Channel your inner circus performer - if you dare.

Step right up to I.Fly Trapeze for some high-flying fun, where adults and kids can channel their inner Cirque du Soleil performer. The outdoor setup at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow boasts flying trapeze classes, circus camps, and performances.

There's much more outdoor entertainment on Long Island, and you can find even more adventurous fun in our rundowns of Long Island ninja courses, theme parks, and water parks. Of course, sign up for our FREE newsletters to get posts like this delivered to your inbox.

Top Things To Do on Long Island This Weekend With Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Wed, 06/23/2021 - 2:15pm

Enjoy a prehistoric encounter at the Drive-Thru Dino Safari in Deer Park.

The sights and sounds of summer are finally here. The Summer Concert Series at Eisenhower Park kicks off this weekend. Tote along dinner, dessert, and some lawn chairs, and be ready to boogie down under the stars. You can head to Heckscher Park all weekend long to take in the Huntington Summer Arts Festival with its music and theater-filled lineup.

Delve into wellness at The Nassau County Museum of Art this weekend where family programs include art-making, sculpting, and yoga. Firework shows are also starting to pop up, like the FREE Town of Hempstead celebration in Point Lookout.

If that's not enough, be sure to explore our list 50 FREE things to do this summer, and bookmark our Summer Fun Guide, where you can find top seasonal day trips, our favorite local beaches, and plenty of amusement park fun. Anytime happenings abound in our Activity Calendar so keep it close at hand, too.

A Drive-thru Dino Safari Roars Onto Long Island

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Thu, 06/17/2021 - 5:54pm

Dino Safari takes visitors on a prehistoric tour of more than 40 life-sized, moving dinosaurs in the parking lot at Deer Park's Tanger Outlets.

Start your engines and head to Deer Park's Tanger Outlets, where Dino Safari: A Drive-Thru Adventure has taken up temporary residence, unleashing more than 40 life-size predators. A trip down this prehistoric path is a roaring good fun for the whole family.

The budding paleontologists in your car will have plenty of giant moving dinosaurs to marvel at as you maneuver your mini-van through this Jurassic trail. Read on for our full review of the experience—and book tickets soon because it fades into extinction next month. Find more seasonal fun in our Summer Fun Guide.

High Score Pinball Brings Old-School Fun to Bay Shore

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Tue, 06/15/2021 - 6:20pm

Rows and rows of pinball machines await at the newly opened High Score Pinball in the Westfield South Shore Mall.

Walking into the High Score Pinball Arcade inside the Westfield South Shore Mall immediately transported my husband and I back to our youth. After lamenting to our 10- and 12-year-old sons about how we had to save our quarters for arcade trips, our collective eyes glimmered at the dancing lights, pinball bells, and flickering scoreboards.

Read on for the inside scoop on this family-friendly outing and find more local arcades for old-school fun all across Long Island.

Planet Play Delivers Out-of-this-World Fun in Bellmore

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 05/17/2021 - 6:39pm

Hit the arcade and much more at Planet Play's indoor amusement center.

Blast off into outer space at Bellmore's new indoor play place, Planet Play. An out-of-this-world experience, this interactive play space is punctuated by cosmic decor transporting guests to a celestial world, which caters to all ages.

It's home to a two-floor jungle gym, bouncy house, toddler-safe play area, a cafe, arcade, and more. The newly opened entertainment spot is currently booking 2-hour open play sessions, toddler classes, and birthday parties.

Read on for details on the play space, and find fun elsewhere on Long Island at these play gyms and sports centers, as well as our favorite arcades and amusement parks.

Where To Go Axe-Throwing With Kids on Long Island

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 04/26/2021 - 4:01pm

The trained NY Axe coaches give you a safety lesson before you're set loose on the range. Photo by the author

If you've got an axe to grind, consider a visit to one of these Long Island axe-throwing spots, which boast plenty of action-packed fun—and target practice—with their namesake weapon, plus archery, football, bowling, and more. An outing at one of these venues makes an ideal adventure for active, competitive families with big kids who have outgrown more traditional play spaces.

Best for teens and tweens, read on for details on our recent visit to NY Axe, plus two other local axe-throwing spots, plus learn about the safety and training you can expect that will have you wielding and tossing an axe like a legit lumberjack (or lumberjill!). Find more fun places for the family to play together in our Guide to Sports Centers and Fun Zones for LI Families.

Jaime Sumersille

Latest posts by Jaime

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