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

Not-So-Scary Halloween Events on Long Island for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 10/06/2023 - 6:52am

Follow your guide on the Enchanted Forest Trail at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge and meet whimsical, fun, and educational characters. Photo courtesy of the refuge

Looking for the best Halloween events on Long Island for toddlers and preschoolers? Read on for our top picks.

Halloween can be uber exciting, but also completely overwhelming for little revelers. With that in mind, we've rounded up several Halloween events across Long Island perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. These events promise plenty of fun with very little in the way of fright.

We've got tons more Halloween picks in our Long Island Halloween Guide. Whether you're looking for free events and activities, trunk-or-treats, inspiring pumpkin carving ideas, or a family-friendly Halloween movie, we've got it all. Of course, before you can carve your pumpkin, you're going to need to pluck it from the vine at one of these top-notch Long Island pumpkin patches.

Art Classes on Long Island for Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 09/11/2023 - 10:17am

Set up an easel and get to painting at Mini Monet Art Studio. Photo courtesy of the studio

Art classes on Long Island are a great way to cultivate your child's artistic vision, and there are plenty of local options to choose from. These Long Island art spots offer drop-in classes, multi-week sessions, private play dates, and more creative fun.

You can find more classes for –and even book a class online–in our directory of classes and listings. And be sure to check our Long Island Classes for Kids Guide for more kids’ activities and classes for kids of all ages and interests.

Long Island Tall Ship Cruises: Fun for Kids on Port Jefferson's Ginny Marie

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Sun, 09/10/2023 - 7:35am

Take in the gorgeous views as you learn to hoist the sails.

Sailing on tall ships is a great way for families to explore the waters off Long Island's shores. From fishing trips and educational tours to private charters and schooner sails, these Long Island boats are the perfect way for your family to set off on a nautical adventure.

Take the Ginny Marie, a 50-foot topsail schooner based in Port Jefferson Harbor. Sailing 7 days a week, three times a day from May to October, this 1920s wooden ship boasts a pirate ship vibe, which is perfect for families. My mateys and I were granted permission to come aboard for an afternoon sail.

Below, a review of our tour, followed by a round-up of other sloop, schooner, and sailboat adventures around Long Island that are sure to make a big splash.

Historic Sites on Long Island Kids Love

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 08/25/2023 - 7:07am

Kids can experience 19th-century village life at Old Bethpage Village Restoration. Photo by Kenny Arena/courtesy of the museum

History is plentiful here on Long Island, from the oldest lighthouse in New York, the Montauk Point Lighthouse, to Teddy Roosevelt's digs at Sagamore Hill. Famous residents have included poets, presidents, and captains of industry.

This all adds up to an impressive roster of historic sites, many of which offer great photo opportunities and fun for kids–read on for our top picks.

For more educational and historic places to explore on Long Island, check out our Museums and Art Guide for Long Island Kids.

27 Things To Do in Riverhead with Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 08/21/2023 - 7:13am

It's worth a trip to Long Island's East End to take in all the family-friendly fun in the town of Riverhead.

Whether you're day-tripping or hunkering down for a few days, Riverhead, on Long Island's East End, offers plenty of family-friendly things to do. Located at the end of the Long Island Expressway, Riverhead boasts the kid-friendly Long Island Aquarium, plus a slew of family-friendly wineries to visit with kids, vintage ice cream parlors, Long Island Sound beaches, rustic farms, and a quaint Main Street.

For more fun expeditions, check out our Guide to Day Trips on Long Island, and keep up to date with all the East End happenings with our Hamptons & North Fork Guide.

Extreme Sports and More Thrilling Activities for Kids on Long Island

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 08/11/2023 - 6:23am

Zip through the air at WildPlay at Jones Beach. Courtesy WildPlay

Extreme sports aficionados on Long Island don't have to go far to get their adventure on, because both Suffolk and Nassau counties offer plenty of businesses catering to thrill-seeking kids.

Want to go for a spin? Long Island go-kart tracks put kids in the driver’s seat, while ropes courses and axe-throwing venues provide an enduring adrenaline rush. However your child prefers to get his or her adventure fix, you'll probably find it on Long Island. So ladies and gentlemen, start your engines.

In the meantime, check out our Long Island Guide to Play Spaces and Fun Zones. If your kids prefer to pedal, our guide to Long Island biking trails offers great rides in Nassau, Suffolk, and the East End.

We Tried Out the $11,000 Massage Chair and You Can Too

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Tue, 08/08/2023 - 6:00pm

Take a luxury massage chair for a spin at OSIM's first East Coast Store at Roosevelt Field Mall.

When I heard the first ever East Coast OSIM Experience Store was opening on Long Island, I couldn’t have volunteered myself any faster to try out the brand’s totally innovative massage chairs and gadgets.

With my husband along for the ride, we headed to OSIM’s beautiful new storefront in Roosevelt Field Mall, where we were able to test drive their newest, luxurious offering, the OSIM uLove 3 Well-Being Massage Chair–pun intended, as this top-of-the-line chair was actually designed in Italy by the same geniuses behind Ferrari!

What was it like to take a spin in this innovative, app-controlled, AI-powered, deluxe massage chair? Get the downlow on the uLove 3 or head over to Roosevelt Field Mall to get a free stress analysis and try it out yourself!

17 Things To Do on Long Island with Teens

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 08/07/2023 - 1:48pm

Teens can zip around the go-kart track at Country Fair Entertainment in Medford.

We've scoured Long Island for things to do in Nassau and Suffolk that are sure to keep tweens and teens happily occupied–and so much easier to live with.

When your kids are young, it’s easy to keep them entertained. But what about the older kids, the ones who say “I’m bored” way too often? The next time they start to whine about having nothing to do, hand them this list and calmly walk away!

Find our rundown on the best pre-college summer programs for high school students and more in our Teens & Tweens Guide to Long Island.

Jaime Sumersille

Latest posts by Jaime

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