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

Go Under the Sea at LICM's New Exhibit, the Museum's First Major Addition in a Decade

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 10/10/2025 - 7:41am

Saltwater Stores is a new, immersive exhibit at the Long Island Children's Museum. Photo by the author

Saltwater Stories: We Need the Sea & the Sea Needs Me is an immersive new exhibit at the Long Island Children’s Museum that celebrates Long Island's connection to the sea through hands-on play, storytelling, and exploration. It's a great choice if you're seeking engaging and educational things to do with kids indoors.

Read on for all the details to plan your visit to the Long Island Children's Museum. For even more activities, check out our guide to Long Island's best family-friendly museums and our Indoor Play Space Guide.

Indigenous Peoples Day Weekend 2025 on Long Island: Best Things To Do with Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 10/10/2025 - 7:35am

Saltwater Stories celebrates Long Island's waterfront heritage. Photo by the author

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

Dive into Saltwater Stories, the brand-new permanent exhibit at the Long Island Children’s Museum, where little explorers can learn all about our local marine life.

If your crew loves Halloween but not the fright, head to Gateway’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Adventure—it’s big on fun and low on scares. For more Halloween fun, might we suggest giving those costumes a test-run during the Long Beach Parade on Saturday?

Trunk-or-Treats on Long Island for Kids to Collect Candy 2025

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Sun, 10/05/2025 - 5:51am

Take your costumes for a test drive at the family-friendly Trunk-or-Treat at Hauppauge Library. Photo courtesy of the library

Trunk-or-treats offer Long Island kids a safer alternative to trick-or-treating. Instead of wandering door to door, young trick-or-treaters can load up their Halloween bags with candy from decorated cars.

These trunk-or-treats—many of which are FREE—take place in parking lots or parks. They sometimes include parades, costume contests, and other Halloween activities. Another bonus for sugar-crazed kids: Many take place before Halloween. That means double the loot if you plan right!

For more boo-tiful Halloween fun, check out our Halloween Guide for Long Island Families.

Bats, Barnacles, and Broomsticks and More Things To Do on Long Island this Weekend

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 10/03/2025 - 10:00am

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.

From spooky sea creatures at the Bats, Barnacles, and Broomsticks bash at the Long Island Aquarium to not-so-scary fun at the Ghostly Gala at LICM, there’s plenty to keep your little monsters smiling this weekend across Long Island.

If your crew prefers tiaras with a touch of villains, don’t miss Princess and Villains Day at the Sands Point Preserve. Or take your fun into the dark with Lights Out! at The Whaling Museum, where blacklight flashlights, glowing skulls, and other eerie crafts await.

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

Boom in Play Spaces Hits Long Island: Here are Seven New Places to Play with Little Ones

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 09/29/2025 - 6:47am

Race through the obstacles at Jetetter Kids Club in Lindenhurst without getting caught. Photo by Gina Massaro.

Need a change of scenery from your usual play spot? Long Island is bursting with brand-new indoor play spaces and baby-friendly hangouts that make it easier than ever to entertain your little ones.

Whether you’ve got a crawling cutie or an energetic preschooler, these recently opened spots offer fresh ways to burn energy, spark creativity, and make new friends—without wrecking your living room.

Be sure to peruse our guide to Kids' Sports Center and Fun Zones for even more spots where Long Island kids can run off some steam.

Halloween and More Things To Do on LI with Kids October 2025, from Mommy Poppins Editors

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Sun, 09/28/2025 - 11:43am

This October, scarecrows will once again line the walkways throughout Stony Brook Village in the Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s annual Scarecrow Competition. Photo courtesy WMHO

Halloween is the name of the game in October, which means Long Island is alive with pumpkin patches, haunted houses, fall festivals, and of course trick-or-treating—there are so many opportunities to wear Halloween costumes!

Some of this month's standout options include tiptoeing through a daytime haunted trail in Manorville filled with ghosts, witches, and dinosaurs, exploring the underwater world of Bats, Barnacles, & Broomsticks at the Long Island Aquarium, and stepping into the Halloween House walk-through experience at Broadway Commons Mall for some frightfully fun photo ops and immersive thrills.

Keep reading for our favorite family-friendly things to do on Long Island in October—you’ll want to mark your calendar for these can't-miss events.

Top Free Halloween Events on Long Island 2025: Halloween Parades, Festivals, and More

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 09/26/2025 - 12:08pm

Get your pumpkins, meet Otto the Ghost, and enjoy the fall festivities at Hicks Nurseries. Photo courtesy of Hicks

All month long, Long Island is packed with free and festive Halloween events the whole family can enjoy. So go ahead—let the kids rock that spooky, sparkly, or downright adorable costume over and over. From trick-or-treat trails to pumpkin-packed parties, there's no shortage of ways to celebrate all October!

For more Halloween fun, check out our Long Island Halloween Guide.

Best 2025 Halloween Events on Long Island for Kids and Families

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Sun, 09/21/2025 - 7:14am

Spooky Fest at the Center for Science Teaching and Learning celebrates the Halloween season with scary and non-scary attractions for all ages. Photo courtesy of CSTL

We've rounded up the best Halloween events for kids on Long Island in 2025 to keep everyone entertained with thrills and chills. Whether your brood is in the mood for spooky scarecrows or not-so-scary Spooky Fests, there is plenty of fun to be had this season.

Our list continues to evolve, so check back regularly for updates on attractions and trick-or-treating opportunities for Long Island families, and be sure to bookmark our Long Island Halloween Guide and Long Island Fall Fun Guide for all the top family-friendly seasonal activities.

Jaime Sumersille

Latest posts by Jaime

Pages