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

Laurie Berkner, Blippi, and More Things To Do on Long Island this Weekend

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Wed, 12/03/2025 - 6:00am

Enjoy lights, holiday activities, and visits with some familiar characters at Pal-O-Mine Equestrian's Winter Wonderland. Photo courtesy of the event

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

Ready or not, the holiday season is officially jingling its way into the first weekend of December, and Long Island families have plenty to unwrap. From free, festive celebrations filled with small-town nostalgia in Bellmore and Riverhead to the timeless charm of Port Jefferson’s Dickens Festival, this weekend is stocking-stuffed with reasons to bundle up the kids and head out.

Prefer a warm theater seat to a winter breeze? Treat the crew to family-friendly shows that bring the cheer indoors. Laurie Berkner is belting out holiday hits at The Paramount, while Blippi lands at the Tilles Center with all his trademark energy (and yes, the kiddos will lose their minds).

Here’s your guide to all the family fun happening on Long Island this weekend!

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

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Sun, 11/30/2025 - 5:58am

From holiday tales to dreidel making, the Sands Point Preserve boasts an afternoon full of family fun. Photo courtesy of Sands Point Preserve

Christmas lights and holiday activities are back this December, and that's just the beginning of things to do on Long Island this month.

Start off with some old-fashioned charm at the Babylon Village Christmas or step back in time at the Port Jefferson Charles Dickens Festival, both lovely, free traditions to kick off the season.

Then, treat the kids to live music at the Laurie Berkner Holiday Hits Show at The Paramount, or let them move and groove with Blippi: Join the Band at the Tilles Center.

And to close out the year? Don’t miss The Gateway’s Holiday Spectacular on Ice, starring ice-skating legend Nancy Kerrigan, for a truly unforgettable family finale for 2025.

You'll find plenty more seasonal fun in our Holiday Guide for Long Island Families. Plus, get our picks for every weekend in your inbox—sign up for our newsletters.

Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows on Long Island 2025

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 11/28/2025 - 10:54am

LuminoCity returns to Long Island's Eisenhower Park this Christmas season. Photo courtesy LuminoCity

For a touch of holiday magic on Long Island, it's hard to beat the glow of a spectacular Christmas lights display or holiday lights drive-thru.

While we really enjoy the immersive walk-through displays across Long Island, sometimes we prefer to grab our hot cocoa and set out on the road. Driving through the Town of Islip Holiday Lights or Jones Beach Magic of Lights Show has become an annual tradition that even my older kids anticipate.

Meanwhile, Sayville Falls once again transforms into a magical walk-through experience with its Light Show and Winter Garden, and Clark Botanic Garden is bringing back its free Winter Wonderland Walk-Through.

Find all our top picks for holiday fun—including Long Island's best Christmas activities—in our Long Island Christmas Guide.

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!

23 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.

Jaime Sumersille

Latest posts by Jaime

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