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

28 Things To Do in Massapequa with Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 02/05/2024 - 6:01pm

Massapequa Preserve's bike trails connect to Long Island's Greenbelt Trail. Photo courtesy of the preserve

The community of Massapequa is massive. From its northernmost boundary at the Southern State Parkway to the waters of South Oyster Bay, this community within the Town of Oyster Bay extends through the village of Massapequa Park to the Suffolk County border. With bustling downtown areas along both Park Boulevard and Broadway, and a thriving beach community on the South Shore, Massapequa is a family-friendly jewel in Nassau County.

We've rounded up all our favorite Massapequa destinations for kids and families below. Of course, you'll find more fun local communities to explore in our Guide to Nassau County, plus more fun expeditions in our Guide to Day Trips on Long Island.

Best Outdoor Dining on Long Island: Igloos, Greenhouses, and More Winter Restaurants

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 02/02/2024 - 7:27am

Enjoy oceanside dining inside a heated igloo at Gurney's Resort in Montauk.

Outdoor dining on Long Island is still viable in the dead of winter, with family-friendly local eateries offering options like igloos, mini-greenhouses, and heaters.

While these outdoor dining options come with perks like fairy lights, Bluetooth speakers, plush seating, and more, they also often come at a hefty price tag, and they might be best saved for a special occasion. Reservations are generally required and the spaces often sell out, so plan in advance.

Find more family-friendly eateries in our Family-Friendly Long Island Restaurant Guide, plus plenty of seasonal fun in our Winter Fun Guide.

21 Winter Walks on Long Island for Families

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Sun, 01/21/2024 - 7:37am

Explore the sprawling grounds of Sagamore Hill, former home of President Theodore Roosevelt, on a beautiful winter day. Photo by the Jaime Sumersille

When the mercury hasn't dipped too low, bundle up the kids and fend off winter blues with one of these winter walks on Long Island.

Long Island is home to several state parks, preserves, and historical grounds that provide family-friendly hiking trails, serene natural beauty, and breathtaking views—even in the middle of winter. So, grab your warmest coats and boots and head for the hills (so to speak).

Don't forget to check out our Winter Fun Guide for more ways to enjoy Long Island's breathtaking beauty in any season.

iFly Indoor Skydiving Opens in Long Island City, Queens

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 01/15/2024 - 8:31am

iFly's new Queens location lets kids as young as age 3 take flight in its indoor skydiving tunnel.

Experience the sensation of indoor skydiving at iFly Long Island City. The popular adventure spot has opened its first indoor skydiving location in NYC and invites visitors to gear up for some high-flying family fun.

Read on for all the need-to-know info before you book your own indoor skydiving adventure, and find more action-packed outings, like the best extreme sports outings in NYC for kids, in our NYC Kids' Guide to Sports Centers, Gyms, and Fun Zones.

The Park at UBS Arena Brings Ice Skating Rinks, Winter Fun to Belmont Park

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Thu, 12/14/2023 - 10:00am

The Park at the UBS Arena features two new ice skating rinks. Rendering courtesy of Populous

Winter sports fans take note: A brand-new ice skating rink complex debuted outside UBS Arena in late December 2023. The Park at UBS Arena is a new wintertime destination for hockey enthusiasts, show-goers, and local families alike.

The Park at UBS Arena, a partnership between the arena, the New York Islanders, and Northwell Health, is located adjacent to the historic and entertaining Belmont Park and aims to take advantage of this unique setting to create something special for visitors of all ages.

Long Island Children's Museum Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 11/20/2023 - 6:03am

Hear the sound in music and the music in sound in Sound Showers.

For 30 years, the Long Island Children's Museum has been educating and entertaining Long Island children. And now, the museum is ready to kick off a celebration commemorating its three decades as one of Nassau County's most beloved places for kids.

The best part? Everyone is invited to this celebration, which opened with last weekend's Three Cheers for 30 Years party, and includes throwback admission prices on the museum's actual birthday, Tuesday, November 21.

Christmas Tree Farms on Long Island

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 11/20/2023 - 5:31am

Dart's Christmas Tree Farm in Southold has a Magic Color Forest to frolic through.

Finding the perfect Long Island Christmas tree is the next logical holiday ritual after you've finished Thanksgiving turkey and completed your Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping.

From Huntington to Riverhead and points farther east, Long Island has many great tree farms where enthusiastic families can cut a gorgeous tree for a modest cost. These farms range from simple roadside acreage to full-fledged holiday destinations.

These farms are all located in Suffolk County, where farmland is more abundant, and are listed by town. If you want to get away, consider a day trip to a Christmas tree farm in New Jersey or the Hudson Valley. And, as always, find more ways to celebrate in our Holiday Fun Guide.

New Long Island Parks and Playgrounds You Probably Haven't Visited Yet But Should

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 10/30/2023 - 4:49pm

Sayville's new Marina Park playground offers gorgeous views and tons of romping space. Photo courtesy of the Town of Islip.

When it comes to Long Island parks and playgrounds, the landscape is ever-changing. A handful of local Long Island parks have recently opened or undergone renovations making them worthy of visiting or re-visiting. Families can do much more than just play at these Long Island parks, too! There are animals to meet, paths to traverse, picnicking spots to enjoy, and more perks at these new and newly renovated Long Island parks. From upgrades to overhauls, we've dug up the details on these latest outdoor play spaces Long Island families will love.

For all our favorite playgrounds and parks on Long Island, be sure to check out our Guide to Long Island Parks and Playgrounds, which includes our picks for everything from the best playgrounds for Long Island kids to our top Long Island parks for a leaf-peeping hike this fall and more.

Jaime Sumersille

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