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

Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2025 on Long Island: Turkey Trots, Light Shows, and Santa

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 11/28/2025 - 10:42am

Trek to The End for the Montauk Lighthouse tree lighting this weekend. Photo courtesy of the Montauk Lighthouse

Looking for the best things to do on Long Island this Thanksgiving weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for the holiday weekend.

Work up an appetite for your Thanksgiving feast by participating in a family-friendly turkey trot on Thursday morning. Or, get some activity in by driving through the Jones Beach Magic of Lights. For a throwback feel, check out how Christmas was celebrated in 1863 at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration.

Find more seasonal fun in our Long Island Kids Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events!

25 Free Holiday and Christmas Events on Long Island for Kids in 2025

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Sun, 11/23/2025 - 1:14pm

See how the village of Port Jefferson magically turns back time to the Dicken's Era. Photo courtesy of the festival's Facebook page

Looking for FREE Christmas events on Long Island? Read on for tons of great options.

We love to visit decked out downtown areas during the holidays. At Miracle on Main Street in Sayville, we enjoy the ice sculptures, ice skating, and live reindeer sightings. At the old-fashioned Christmas in Bellmore, we love to ride in a horse and buggy and clip-clop down the town's main strip.

We're also looking forward to taking our eyes to the skies at the Fire Island and in East Hampton as Santa makes an aerial entrance in both areas. He is also in Riverhead ahead of a festive parade and bonfire.

Any of these events will keep your family entertained, and you'll still be able to afford those last-minute gifts. Find all our top picks for holiday fun in our Long Island Christmas Guide.

Breakfast with Santa on Long Island in 2025

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 11/14/2025 - 12:03pm

Have brunch with Santa at the Long Island Aquarium this holiday season. Photo by Jennifer Voit

Kick off the holiday season with a festive Breakfast with Santa right here on Long Island.

Families can enjoy a yummy meal, meet the big guy himself, and capture those magical photo moments. Spots fill up quickly, so be sure to reserve your table before Santa’s schedule gets too full!

Find all our top picks for holiday fun–including Long Island's best Christmas activities–in our Long Island Christmas Guide. And check out our constantly updated Family Activity Calendar for even more fun things to do.

Activate Brings a High-Tech Gaming Experience to Long Island

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Tue, 11/11/2025 - 6:24am

A play session at Activate feels like stepping into a video game. Photo by the author

Activate, Long Island’s new indoor adventure space, aims to get families moving with its high-tech, interactive challenges.

Get set to sweat as this gaming experience, which is tucked away inside the Roosevelt Field Mall. Activate invites guests to step right into the action, with a series of rooms that elevate and engage like no other space on the island.

We have more for your thrill-seeking crew to do in our article about Extreme Sports Venues for Long Island Kids. Be sure to also peruse our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for Long Island Kids for more ideas.

20 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities on Long Island in 2025

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Sun, 11/09/2025 - 8:58am

LuminoCity returns to Long Island with another stunning installation at Eisenhower Park. Photo courtesy of LuminoCity

Looking for the best holiday activities and Christmas events on Long Island for kids? Read on for our top picks.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas on Long Island! We’ve rounded up the most magical family-friendly holiday events, from dazzling lantern festivals and drive-thru light shows to free favorites like the Animated Story at Hicks Nurseries and Huntington Holiday Spectacular.

Plus, don’t miss must-do classics like LuminoCity at Eisenhower Park and the Jones Beach Light Show, because nothing says holiday cheer like twinkling lights and smiling kids.

We've got plenty more ways to make seasonal memories in our Long Island Guide to Holiday Fun.

Veterans Day Weekend 2025 on Long Island: Best Things To Do with Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 11/07/2025 - 9:57am

Looking for the best things to do on Long Island this Veterans Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

There are plenty of things to do on Long Island with kids this Veterans Day weekend, including kicking off the holiday season at the Jingle Bell Bash and Annual Tree Lighting at Tanger Outlets in Deer Park, where you can take pics with Santa and hang out with some live reindeer. Check out our calendar for more things to do on Veterans Day itself, Tuesday, November 11, 2025.

Other top things to do this weekend include enjoying a holiday lights experience at LuminoCity, which returns to Long Island's Eisenhower Park with a new luminescent theme, and getting cozy with some furry farm animals during Patchogue's annual free Walk-Through Zoo.

Of course, it's not too early to start plotting your holiday outings with our list of 25 must-do Christmas and holiday activities on Long Island.

The Nutcracker Ballet and Other 2025 Holiday Shows for Kids on Long Island

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 11/03/2025 - 7:05am

Eglevsky Ballet presents special performances of the timeless holiday classic "The Nutcracker." Photo courtesy of the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts

If your child is nuts about The Nutcracker, you’re in luck–several top-notch dance companies are performing this holiday favorite right here on Long Island. From classic full-length productions to shorter, kid-friendly versions, there’s a performance perfect for every family’s holiday calendar.

Standouts this season include the New York Dance Theatre’s show at Hofstra University and Ballet Long Island’s production, which offers select performances of only Act II. This is ideal for younger audiences who might get a little wiggly in their seats.

And if your family can’t get enough holiday magic, we've highlighted other festive shows lighting up local stages this winter, including Frosty and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Read on for amazing holiday show options for families on Long Island in 2025. And be sure to check out our events calendar and Holiday Guide for more seasonal family fun.

20 Best Things To Do on Long Island with Kids November 2025, from Mommy Poppins Editors

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 10/31/2025 - 10:16am

Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, known for an eclectic blend of acrobats, jugglers, and vaudeville acts, is coming to Stony Brook. Photo courtesy of the circus

November brings plenty of wonderful things to do as Long Island gears up for holidays, from Veterans Day to Thanksgiving and full steam ahead to Christmas.

Holiday light shows illuminate Long Island this November. Cuddle up in the car and roll through the Jones Beach Magic of Lights Show in Wantagh. Or get out and wander Eisenhower Park in East Meadow on foot for the LuminoCity Festival.

Meanwhile, Disney fans can catch Disney on Ice Jump In at the UBS Arena in Elmont. And Sayville Falls is bringing back its walkthrough Holiday Light Show & Winter Garden this winter, where visitors can rent an igloo. And new at the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County's Holiday Light Show and Enchanted Forest, folks can upgrade to a Cozy Bungalow Package.

Read on for our expertly curated list of the best ways to pack your calendar this month on Long Island.

Jaime Sumersille

Latest posts by Jaime

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