Jaime Sumersille

Latest posts by Jaime

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.

Activities To Get You Out of the House This Weekend on Long Island

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Wed, 04/21/2021 - 12:35pm

Enjoy some hands-on, outdoor, springtime exploration at CSTL's family-friendly programming. Photo courtesy of CSTL

Outdoor adventures are calling this week, and Long Island families have their choice of inventive springtime programs to enjoy. Wander the trails by lantern light at Heckscher State Park, explore in broad daylight with Ranger Eric at the Sands Point Preserve, or clean the seashore during National Junior Ranger Day at the Fire Island Lighthouse.

You'll find more seasonal happenings in our roundup of 25 fun things to do this spring, plus our Event Calendar and Spring Fun Guide get constant updates as we learn of new family-friendly happenings.

Of course, summer will be here before you know it, so don't forget to book those summer camps. Slots are going fast for the 2021 season! Learn more about local and virtual summer camps with our upcoming Online Camp Fair. Visit virtual booths and watch live camp demos.

Activities To Get You Out of the House This Weekend on Long Island

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Wed, 03/24/2021 - 6:34pm

The Vanderbilt Museum hosts an outdoor-only Vandy Land event throughout spring break week. Photo courtesy of the museum

This week brings spring break and an action-packed schedule of fun. Grab the kids and head to the Garvies Point Museum & Preserve to enjoy family-friendly programs, including crafts, hikes, films, and more.

We've got plenty of Easter egg hunts, and families can check out FREE drive-thru events in Cold Spring Harbor and Belmont Lake State Park.

If that's not enough, our Poppins@Home site invites kids to take virtual dance classes to perfect their hip-hop and ballet techniques.

You'll find more seasonal happenings in our roundup of 25 fun things to do this spring, plus our Event Calendar gets constant updates as we learn of family-friendly happenings.

Private Playtime: 9 Long Island Venues to Rent for Play Dates or Pods

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Tue, 03/02/2021 - 2:56pm

Book Once Upon a Sundae to enjoy an hour-long play date with arts, crafts, and ice cream—of course.

If you are looking to get out of the house but still stay safe in your bubble, take your pandemic pod or small play date to one of these spaces that will host a private session just for you.

For more indoor fun, check out our Guide to Play Spaces, and find plenty of seasonal entertainment on our winter fun list for Long Island kids.

Things To Do on Long Island This Weekend & Beyond: Fancy Nancy Party, Guided Winter Walks, Ice Skating

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Wed, 02/24/2021 - 3:02pm

Get out in nature with the South Fork Natural History Museum's Young Environmentalists Society. Photo courtesy of SOFO

Dig out from under the snow and embark on an outdoor adventure this weekend. Join a nature educator from the South Fork Natural History Museum to explore the Promised Land in Napeague State Park, or traverse a wooded trail ending in a secluded area of the Block Island Sound, where seals can be seen on the rocks in Montauk.

If you're staying in, we've got plenty of fun, interactive classes to choose from on our Poppins@Home site. Enjoy the online series inspired by Harry Potter, the Wonderful World of Wizards, or have your preschooler engage in an on-demand science class with Stemtastic.

If you need more motivation to get out and get going, our Winter Fun Guide and Event Calendar are both chock-full of fun no matter the day.

What's Open Now on Long Island For Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 02/12/2021 - 4:43pm

The birds eat out of your hands at White Post Farms. White Post Farms. Photo courtesy of the Farm

Most of Long Island has reopened, and businesses are welcoming visitors at a reduced capacity, but the answer to what's open on Long Island right now is far from simple. While we've had plenty of fun enjoying winter walks, our glorious parks, and favorite playgrounds, indoor family entertainment is harder to come by. A handful of indoor play spaces have reopened, while other spots have remained shuttered since March.

We've scoured the web to come up with this list of what's open now on Long Island. Bookmark this page; we'll update it as more spots announce their reopening dates. Keep in mind, coronavirus safety restrictions often mean reservations are required, and capacity is capped, so it's a good practice to call before venturing out to confirm availability or book your tickets in advance.