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

26 Things To Do in Patchogue with Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 06/16/2023 - 6:50am

The Great South Bay Music Festival offers all-ages entertainment. Photo courtesy of the festival

Patchogue is a vibrant seaside community offering loads of family-friendly things to do. The village is nestled halfway between Montauk and Manhattan, on the shore of Great South Bay. Patchogue boasts a walkable downtown area, a thriving arts and music scene, and a variety of yummy eats and treats.

Restored and revived areas have breathed new life into this village over the past several years, making it a haven for Long Island families. It's also a gateway to the bucolic barrier beach communities of Fire Island. Read on about sights to see, ways to wander, and signature experiences to be had in Patchogue.

Still got that day-trippin' itch? Explore our Visitors Guide to plan your next Long Island adventure close to home.

CLOSED: Axe Throwing and Smash Painting Featured Alongside Movies at Mattituck Cinemas

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 05/22/2023 - 6:26am

Experience the thrill of throwing an axe at a wooden target at Axe & Smash.

NOTE: Axe & Smash has closed. The Mattituck Cinemas are open.

To catch a movie, toss an axe, have an immersive art experience, and see a live wrestling match, you'd usually have to visit separate venues on different days. However, at Axe & Smash in Mattituck–a new smash painting and axe-throwing attraction nestled within Mattituck Cinemas building complex–you could conceivably do all those things during one visit.

Whether it's a family outing, a birthday gathering, or a date night, Axe & Smash caters to all.

Find more fun places for the family to play together, including the best bowling alleys on Long Island, in our Guide to Sports Centers and Fun Zones for LI Families.

Best Pizza for Kids on Long Island

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Sun, 04/16/2023 - 11:47am

Dig in to a delicious pie at Salvatore's Coal Oven Pizzeria.

Other than bagels, Long Island is known for its pizza. Everyone has their favorite pizza joint, serving up thin, thick, and everything in between. We've scoured the island for unique local pizza spots that we think your family will gobble up! Visit these kid-friendly pizza establishments for a slice of family fun.

For more ideas on where to dine with the kids, check out our Restaurant Guide, which includes Great Outdoor Dining Spots and Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free.

Best Art Summer Camps for Long Island Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 04/10/2023 - 7:01am

Drop into a summer art lab at the Nassau County Museum of Art. Photo courtesy of the museum

For kids who want to explore and expand their creativity, art summer camps on Long Island go beyond cutting and pasting. Whether your child is an experienced artist or a true beginner, you're sure to find a summer day camp program that fits your needs.

For the artistically inclined, you can also check out our rundown on summer music camps on Long Island, as well as our post on art classes on Long Island.

For more camp options, be sure to check out our Long Island Summer & Vacation Camps Guide.

Free in April: 22 Things To Do with Kids on Long Island

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Sun, 04/02/2023 - 11:36am

Follow the Easter Bunny for a fun-filled parade through the streets of Port Jefferson. Photo by Mac Timus/Port Jefferson

Looking for FREE things to do on Long Island in April? Read on for dozens of great options.

To keep your kids and your wallet happy, we’ve come up with a long list of FREE things to do with kids in April. Spring takes center stage this month with egg hunts and other festivals on tap.

Find more great seasonal activities in our Spring Fun Guide for Long Island Kids. We’re also adding more events to our Family Activity Calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.

Hotel Xcaret Mexico: An All-Inclusive Adventure in Playa del Carmen

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Sat, 03/25/2023 - 12:00pm

With lush reefs and crystal-clear waters, Xcaret is a fabulous place to snorkel. Photo courtesy of Xcaret Parks

While my family has stayed at many great all-inclusive resorts, we were particularly impressed by our recent trip to Hotel Xcaret Mexico in Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya. Set between the Mayan rain forest and the Caribbean Sea, the five-diamond Hotel Xcaret (ISH-kah-rhett) offers stunning views and plenty of family fun. But what really sets it apart is its unique All Fun Inclusive concept, which gives guests access to all seven Grupo Xcaret parks.

The Grupo Xcaret parks offer all sorts of natural and cultural experiences such as zip lining, water adventures like snorkeling and whitewater rafting, cave tours, live entertainment, monster truck rides, a wacky town full of optical illusions, and so much more.

The thrill factor of my family's adventurous trip to Xcaret was off the charts, and I highly recommend Hotel Xcaret Mexico for your next warm and sunny family vacation. Read on to learn all about it, and check out our Mexican Family Travel Guide for more cool vacation spots in Mexico.

Awesome Arcades on Long Island for Video-Game Loving Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 02/06/2023 - 6:49am

This roundup of awesome arcades on Long Island will get your little gamers off the couch and out of the house. As a bonus, most of these arcades are located at party places or sports complexes. Get the whole family together–and invite some friends–for bowling, laser tag, or mini-golf. Cap off your trip with ticket-winning arcade games that can be redeemed for valuable prizes.

Get more ideas on what to do inside with kids in our Indoor Play Spaces Guide or Kids' Sports Centers Guide. For even more kid-friendly activities, check out our Long Island Events Calendar.

Indoor Playground Xplore Commack Adds Glow-in-the-Dark Go-Karts to its Action-Packed Lineup

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 01/30/2023 - 11:26am

Xplore Commack offers mini go-karts to allow ages 4 and up to enjoy go karting.

Indoor playgrounds on Long Island often cater to little kids, but Xplore Family Fun Center in Commack is upping the ante for action-packed all-ages fun with the addition of glow-in-the-dark go-karts. Suffolk County speed demons can now rev their engines at this local indoor entertainment zone that opened a few years ago.

Xplore, which already offered laser tag, arcade games, inflatables, soft climbing indoor playgrounds, and a toddler zone, has now debuted its glow-in-the-dark go-karting attraction. On a recent visit, my group of tweens was delighted by the glo-karts and everything else Xplore's indoor playground had to offer.

For similar fun zones, check out our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces on Long Island, where we've rounded up FREE indoor play spaces, Long Island's best bowling alleys, and more.

Jaime Sumersille

Latest posts by Jaime

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