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

Leap Year Weekend Things To Do on Long Island with Kids: HarborFrost, Camellia Festival, Irish Family Day

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Wed, 02/26/2020 - 1:02pm

Shrek The Musical Jr. is on stage at the Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts. Photo by Courtney Braun

Enjoy an extra day in February this Leap Year with a bunch of family-friendly events across Long Island.

HarborFrost, a celebration of winter in Sag Harbor highlights two extreme elements—fire and ice! Featuring live ice carving demonstrations, ice sculptures along Main Street, live music performances, and indoor children’s activities. Spend the day shopping and dining in Sag Harbor and don’t miss the fireworks over the harbor!

At The Camellia Festival at the Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park, families can enjoy crafts in Coe Hall and a magic show, as well as live music, guided tours and more.

Children of all ages will enjoy a performance of Irish dance performances during Irish Family Day at the Walt Whitman Birthplace.

Check our March GoList and events calendar for even more weekend inspiration. Our Winter Fun Guide will keep you tuned in through the end of the season.

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Things To Do on Long Island This Weekend with Kids: Mardi Gras, Puppet Theater & STEM Activities

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Wed, 02/19/2020 - 8:30am

Converse, collaborate and create at Family Sundays at the Nassau County Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

Celebrate Mardi Gras Day with the Long Island Children's Museum, learn about the holiday's traditions, and create and design your own Mardi Gras mask.

Meet the creators of SnappyXO at the Long Island Explorium.

Join the Long Island Puppet Theater in this all ages classic fairy tale puppet show and follow Prince Marino on his journey across the sea to find his one true love, The Little Mermaid.

Check our February GoList and events calendar for even more inspiration. Our Winter Fun Guide will keep you tuned in all season long.

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Master Obstacles at Real Life Ninja Academy

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 02/14/2020 - 4:11pm

The Real Life Ninja Academy isn't a gym, and it isn't an obstacle course facility. It's a fully instructional Real Life Ninja Warrior training gym for kids and adults.

At Real Life Ninja Academy in Freeport, swinging from the ceiling and climbing walls is very much encouraged. Co-owned by 'American Ninja Warrior' Champion Drew Drechsel, the course mimics the television show's obstacles, including two warped walls and the red, horn-blaring finish buttons.

For more active fun on Long Island, check out our guide to play gyms and sports centers.

Things To Do on Long Island this Weekend with Kids: Lunar New Year, Groundhog Day, Super Bowl, Monster Jam

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Wed, 01/29/2020 - 4:00am

Thrill to the Lunar New Year Celebration at the Ward Melville Heritage Organization. Photo courtesy of the organization

Six more weeks of winter or an early spring? See what Holtsville Hal has to say this weekend during Groundhog Day festivities at the Holtsville Ecology Site. Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a series of family activities, including a colorful and captivating dragon dance at the Ward Melville Heritage Organization.

The Monster Jam Triple Threat Series, which brings adrenaline-charged family entertainment to fans across the country, returns to the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum this weekend.

Check our February GoList and events calendar for more inspiration. Our Winter Fun Guide will keep you tuned in all season long.

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Things to Do on Long Island this Weekend with Kids: Thomas & Friends, Winterfest & Ozobots

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Wed, 01/22/2020 - 5:35am

The classic Grimm fairy tale comes to the Theatre Three stage with a fresh new slant. Photo courtesy of Theatre Three

At the Long Island Children's Museum, step into the Island of Sodor where visitors can climb aboard a large model of Thomas the Tank Engine, race trains along a giant track, work together to sort and load cargo and maintain engines.

The Rainbow Fish, the beloved book comes to life on stage in Bellmore, The Little Mermaid in East Islip or Little Red Riding Hood in Port Jefferson. Or try your hand at robot mastery with Code Ozobots, robots that understand instructions if you give them as different color combinations, at the Long Island Explorium.

Check out inexpensive family fun with our list of free things to do this month. Don’t forget to check our January GoList and events calendar for more inspiration.

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Top Kids' Birthday Party Venues on Long Island

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Tue, 01/21/2020 - 9:05am

Throw an active birthday party at Urban Air Adventure Park.

Birthday parties have morphed into an entity all their own. Each year the celebration has to be bigger and better than the last. So, where do you start?

Don't worry—we've rounded up some of Long Island's best venues for parties to please a variety of kids, from divas and princesses to tumbling tots and animal enthusiasts. These places make party planning easy, and almost all include a host, setup and cleanup, food, and other essentials. The only hard part is picking just one!

Be sure to check out our Birthday Party Guide for Long Island Kids for even more tips on planning the perfect party for your child. It has ideas specific to first birthdays, toddlers, active kids, and more.

Xplore Family Fun Center Adds Ropes Course

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Tue, 01/14/2020 - 5:20am

Xplore Family Fun Center has leveled up its playtime with the addition of an elevated ropes course. Xplore, which was has been rebranded by the folks behind Safari Adventure in Riverhead in 2018, has been transformed into one of the top indoor play destinations in Suffolk's North Shore.

Best Places on Long Island to Host Nerf Parties

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Sun, 01/12/2020 - 5:39am

End your birthday party with an epic Nerf war at Sportset Kids. Photo courtesy of Sportset Kids

Nerf parties offer a fun and safe way to play indoor war games without the threat of breaking Grandma's prized china cabinet. Bonus, these indoor games are available year-round and aren't dependent on weather or time of day. So let the kids loose at these indoor obstacle courses, where they can have a rootin' tootin' shootin' good time.

Ready, set — pew pew!

Check out more birthday parties for active kids here or obstacle courses, rock walls, and ninja training here.

Jaime Sumersille

Latest posts by Jaime

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