Jaime Sumersille

Latest posts by Jaime

Empire Adventure Park, a Sprawling and High-Tech Indoor Playground, Debuts in Westbury

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 07/29/2024 - 6:01am

Bounce on the sprawling honeycomb trampoline floor, gaining serious air.

Empire Adventure Park is a first-of-its-kind indoor playground in New York that includes a huge trampoline area, obstacle courses, and augmented reality offerings. While I visited with two teen boys, this 35,000-square-foot space in Westbury appeals to toddlers through adults.

For more on indoor play spaces, check out our Guide to Indoor Playgrounds on Long Island.

22 Best Free and Fun Things To Do on Long Island August 2024 with Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Sun, 07/28/2024 - 5:49am

How sweet it is: Enjoy the watermelon festival at Harbes Family Farm this month. Photo courtesy of the farm

There are tons of things to do in August on Long Island–enjoy outdoor movies and concerts, summer festivals, and the best beach days. After all, summer isn't over yet!

Make the most of the last month of summer with our big list of things to do on Long Island in August. From a Taylor Swift laser show to cardboard races to the Paumanauke Pow Wow and The Long Island Retro Gaming Expo, August is filled with amazing options.

Read on for all the ways to pack your calendar this month on Long Island!

Top Birthday Party Places on Long Island for Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Sun, 07/14/2024 - 9:33am

Xplore Family Fun Center's birthday parties include pizza, drinks, and arcade cards. Photo by the author

Our roundup of Long Island's best birthday party places has venues sure to please kids of all interests—from princesses to tumbling tots and animal enthusiasts to adventure-seeking teens.

These Long Island birthday party venues make the planning easy, and almost all include a host, setup and cleanup, food, and other essentials. The hardest part is picking just one, but don't worry: There's always next year!

Be sure to check out our Birthday Party Guide for Long Island Kids for even more tips on planning the perfect birthday party for your wee one. It has plenty more birthday party venues, plus ideas for planning first birthdays, birthday parties for preschoolers and toddlers, birthday party venues for active kids, and more.

Best Batting Cages on Long Island to Hone Your Home Run Swing

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 07/12/2024 - 12:21pm

Little Leaguers can get ready for the season at one of these Long Island batting cages. Photo by author

Visiting a Long Island batting cage is a great way for little sluggers to get some practice in. Kids can spend a few hours hitting balls and couple it with another activity, as many batting cage facilities also offer go-cart racing and mini-golf.

For more sports-themed fun, be sure to check out our Indoor Play Spaces, Sports Centers & Fun Zones Guide for Long Island.

Summer Festivals and Street Fairs on Long Island for Families

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 07/05/2024 - 12:04pm

Greenport Village Dances in the Park are fun for all ages. Photo courtesy of Greenport Village

Fairs and festivals abound on Long Island during the summer months, and that’s great news for families. These outdoor celebrations offer perfect opportunities for old-fashioned family fun.

Some of our picks are annual events, others are just getting started, and some transform our favorite walkable main streets into no-cars-allowed parties. You'll even find some cool extras, from live music to fireworks displays that light up the night. Find more ways to celebrate the season in our Ultimate Long Island Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

4th of July Weekend on Long Island: Fireworks, Festivals, and More Things To Do with Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 07/05/2024 - 9:57am

Cue the sparklers. Long Islanders have plenty of locations to catch a picture-perfect fireworks display this weekend. Photo courtesy of Canva

Looking for the best things to do on Long Island this 4th of July weekend? Read on for details on where to catch the fireworks and other family-friendly events to add to your list.

Kick off the 4th of July weekend with a bang at fireworks displays across Long Island. If you're looking for something to do before the sparklers take flight, consider a trip to one of Long Island's lovely state parks or family-friendly beaches.

We've got fun seasonal picks in our Ultimate Long Island Kids Summer Vacation Guide and our list of the best things to do all month long. As always, our Family Activity Calendar is constantly updated, too.

Family-Friendly Breweries and Beer Gardens on Long Island

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 07/01/2024 - 7:00am

Catch an epic sunset at Blue Point Brewing Company. Photo by Jessica Hill

Visiting Long Island breweries can be a great way to enjoy a casual meal and some outdoor fun. Here are a few family-friendly beer gardens and breweries across the island where you can relax with a drink while the kids have a good time.

Parents can wind down without having to find a babysitter, and kids can have fun in an exciting, new atmosphere. At these charming establishments, parents can enjoy a regular beer offering or a seasonal specialty.

If wine is your drink of choice, however, don't miss our guide to kid-friendly wineries on the East End, and visit our Restaurant Guide for Long Island Families for even more picks.

19 Best Free and Fun Things To Do on Long Island July 2024 with Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Sun, 06/30/2024 - 10:20am

Live music, selfie stations and more headline Alive on 25 in Riverhead. Photo by Jaime Sumersille

Looking for the best things to do on Long Island this July? Here are all the family-friendly events and activities you should add to your list–from fireworks and the 4th of July to more summer must-dos.

There are tons of places to check out fireworks for the 4th of July. Meanwhile, the Empire State Fair takes up residence at Nassau Coliseum, Danny Go revs up the audience at The Paramount, and traffic-free streets pop up all across the island.

Read on for all the ways to pack your calendar this month on Long Island!