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

Best Harvest Fairs & Pumpkin Festivals on Long Island for Family Fun

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Sun, 09/01/2024 - 9:33am

The Bellmore Family Street Festival has carnival rides and plenty more fun for kids. Photo by author

It’s harvest fair season on Long Island, and we’ve put together this list of the best fall festivals in September and October. Grab the family, throw on a sweater, and enjoy this in-between season before the real chill sets in.

No matter where you live–Nassau, Suffolk, or the East End–autumn on Long Island is beautiful, and there’s plenty of family fun to be had. Check out our Fall Fun Guide for more ideas, like pumpkin picking and corn mazes.

20 Best Things To Do on Long Island with Kids September 2024

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 08/30/2024 - 1:29pm

The beautiful Water Lantern Festival returns to Eisenhower Park on Saturday, September 7. Photo courtesy of the festival

Labor Day kicks off September activities, launching Long Island's season of apple picking, fall festivals, pumpkin patches, and corn mazes.

Take advantage of the still-warm days by stomping over to LuminoCity Dino Safari Festival or stepping back in time at the Long Island Fair. Or, if you're ready to turn the leaf on the calendar, the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze and Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns both start this month.

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

Labor Day Weekend 2024 on Long Island: Hamptons Classic and More Top Things To Do

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 08/30/2024 - 7:41am

The Hamptons Classic hosts a special Kids' Day this weekend. Photo courtesy of the Hamptons Classic Horse Show

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

The Shinnecock Powwow returns to Southampton this weekend, and you don't want to miss this gathering, one of the largest on the East Coast. Each day it hosts competitive dancing, guest entertainment, prayers, ceremonial dances, and more. You can also hoof it on over to the Hampton Classic Horse Show, which boasts a children's tent and dedicated Kids' Day–plus loads of gorgeous horsies!

Plus, you can find the LuminoCity Dino Safari and its 70 lifelike dinosaurs that move and roar at the Walt Whitman Shops.

Labor Day means a change in the seasons, and we've got fun fall picks in our Ultimate Long Island Kids Fall Guide. As always, our Family Activity Calendar is constantly updated, too.

28 Things To Do on Long Island Before School Starts

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Sun, 08/04/2024 - 9:58am

Take a thrilling final run down the water slide at Splish Splash in Calverton. Photo courtesy of the park

With the summer winding down, we've rounded up 31 of the best things to do on Long Island with kids before they head back to school, from cooling off at water playgrounds and outdoor pools to enjoying pick-your-own flower farms or festivals and street fairs.

Read on for our top picks, and browse our Ultimate Long Island Kids Summer Vacation Guide for even more seasonal fun.

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.

Jaime Sumersille

Latest posts by Jaime

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