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

24 Best Things To Do in Southampton, NY, with Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 04/19/2024 - 11:27am

The beaches in Southampton, NY, are some of the finest beaches in the country.

Southampton Village sits along a stretch of shoreline on the South Fork of Long Island's East End. Nestled between Hampton Bays and Water Mill, sandy beaches and celebrity sightings are where it's at, especially in the summer. Southampton, NY, is an ideal destination for a family day trip, and visiting on weekdays or getting an early-morning weekend start saves you hours in Hamptons traffic.

Read on for our family-friendly guide to the best things to do in Southampton, NY, with kids, including which beaches to visit, and where to eat and play. And for more kid-friendly activities on the East End, check out our roundup of 55 things to do with kids in the Hamptons and North Fork, or head over to our local Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways to find more enclaves to explore.

Adventureland Debuts New Rides and Announces Multi-Year Expansion

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Thu, 03/21/2024 - 1:27pm

The thrilling Moon Chaser spins, twists, dips, and inverts riders at heights up to 45 feet in the air.

Long Island's favorite amusement park Adventureland delivered big news ahead of its 2024 season by announcing new rides and a multi-year, multi-million dollar expansion plan.

Boasting a variety of thrill, kiddie, and water rides—plus arcade and carnival-style games, this action-packed park is an all-ages pleaser. Get a sneak peek at the plans below, and bookmark our Long Island Amusement Park and Water Park Guide for more attractions nearby.

Best STEM and STEAM Summer Camps on Long Island for Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Sun, 03/03/2024 - 7:16am

Park Shore Country Day Camp offers a science camp option for kids. Photo courtesy of the camp

Long Island has quite a few summer camps where kids can expand their knowledge of all things STEM and STEAM.

If you have kids who want to spend their summer camp experience building robots, learning to code, or launching rockets, you're in luck. At the Long Island summer camps we've listed below, children can have fun, make new friends, and also learn new skills to help them thrive during the school year. Some camps include the arts among their offerings, too.

For lots more on Long Island summer camps, check out our Long Island Summer Camp Guide and our Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and town.

Best Things To Do at Westbury's Samanea Mall, a Long Island Entertainment Destination

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Tue, 02/20/2024 - 6:54am

Golf simulators at X Golf in the Samanea Mall allow players to practice their swing. Photo by the author

The Samanea New York Mall is a rebrand and reboot of the Source Mall in Westbury, and its many options make for a fun outing. The mall has a diverse roster of stores and venues that offer dining, arts, and entertainment–with a bunch more on the way.

Here is the scoop on what's open, coming soon, and planned for the future. Similar to New Jersey's American Dream Mall, Samanea seeks to flip the script on the outdated shopping mall concept.

For more fun local escapes, check out our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

Awesome Laser Tag Arenas on Long Island

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 02/16/2024 - 7:19am

Long Island Laser Tag brings laser tag to your home or a location of your choosing.

These days you can tell the kids to take their sibling rivalry into the arena at one of Long Island's thrilling laser tag venues. This competition-style activity engages players physically and mentally as they strategically attempt to tag the opposing team while not getting tagged themselves. But think fast … or tag, you're out.

There are some great spots to play laser tag in Nassau and Suffolk counties, so get ready to think on your feet and have fun. Many of these facilities offer other attractions like go-karts and arcades to get the whole family playing together. We've also included a couple of options where the laser tag comes to you, so you can plan the activity in a convenient location like your backyard or a nearby park.

For more ways to have fun indoors, check out our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces on Long Island. There's always something great to do for families on Long Island and we've got the info you need at our events calendar.

28 Things To Do in Massapequa with Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 02/05/2024 - 6:01pm

Massapequa Preserve's bike trails connect to Long Island's Greenbelt Trail. Photo courtesy of the preserve

The community of Massapequa is massive. From its northernmost boundary at the Southern State Parkway to the waters of South Oyster Bay, this community within the Town of Oyster Bay extends through the village of Massapequa Park to the Suffolk County border. With bustling downtown areas along both Park Boulevard and Broadway, and a thriving beach community on the South Shore, Massapequa is a family-friendly jewel in Nassau County.

We've rounded up all our favorite Massapequa destinations for kids and families below. Of course, you'll find more fun local communities to explore in our Guide to Nassau County, plus more fun expeditions in our Guide to Day Trips on Long Island.

Best Outdoor Dining on Long Island: Igloos, Greenhouses, and More Winter Restaurants

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 02/02/2024 - 7:27am

Enjoy oceanside dining inside a heated igloo at Gurney's Resort in Montauk.

Outdoor dining on Long Island is still viable in the dead of winter, with family-friendly local eateries offering options like igloos, mini-greenhouses, and heaters.

While these outdoor dining options come with perks like fairy lights, Bluetooth speakers, plush seating, and more, they also often come at a hefty price tag, and they might be best saved for a special occasion. Reservations are generally required and the spaces often sell out, so plan in advance.

Find more family-friendly eateries in our Family-Friendly Long Island Restaurant Guide, plus plenty of seasonal fun in our Winter Fun Guide.

21 Winter Walks on Long Island for Families

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Sun, 01/21/2024 - 7:37am

Explore the sprawling grounds of Sagamore Hill, former home of President Theodore Roosevelt, on a beautiful winter day. Photo by the Jaime Sumersille

When the mercury hasn't dipped too low, bundle up the kids and fend off winter blues with one of these winter walks on Long Island.

Long Island is home to several state parks, preserves, and historical grounds that provide family-friendly hiking trails, serene natural beauty, and breathtaking views—even in the middle of winter. So, grab your warmest coats and boots and head for the hills (so to speak).

Don't forget to check out our Winter Fun Guide for more ways to enjoy Long Island's breathtaking beauty in any season.

Jaime Sumersille

Latest posts by Jaime

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