Jaime Sumersille

Latest posts by Jaime

Mini-Golf Courses on Long Island: 20 to Visit for Family Fun

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 07/18/2022 - 9:35am

Enjoy a pair of mini-golf courses at Eisenhower Park in Nassau County. Photo by the author

Mini-golf courses on Long Island may be miniature in size, but they deliver outsize fun. So stop putter-ing around and get on the green.

Miniature golf is one of those outings the entire family can enjoy. Some venues are part of larger amusement parks on Long Island that also offer kid-friendly fun such as arcades. Others are situated in county or state parks or beaches you may already be planning to check out this summer. Whatever the location, these courses offer a wonderful day or night of fun on the cheap.

If your family is ready to graduate to more advanced golf experiences, check out these p ar-3 golf courses on Long Island where kids can learn the game. Are you looking for other ideas for active family fun? Take a look at our rundowns on biking with the fam and hitting local hiking trails.

You can find more great things to do in the warmer months in our Summer Fun Guide, and be sure to bookmark our frequently-updated Long Island Family Activity Calendar.

Newbridge Road Park Installs New Playground

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 07/11/2022 - 11:31am

Enjoy the newly installed playground at Newbridge Road Park. Photo by Danielle Tienauchariya

The playground area of Newbridge Road Park in Bellmore has been upgraded, adding overdue updates to the first section of the park that greets visitors. A colorful new climbing structure was added in late spring and has been attracting everyone from toddlers to tweens since.

For more info on local outdoor play spaces, check out our rundown of Long Island's top playgrounds. Find more great outdoorsy things to do in our Summer Fun Guide, and be sure to bookmark our frequently-updated Long Island Family Activity Calendar.

Playland Amusement Park Brings New Rides and Amenities to the Classic Family Destination

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 07/01/2022 - 12:00pm

Now operating under new ownership, Playland has preserved its rich history and charm while serving up new attractions and amenities.

Playland in Rye, New York has been a go-to amusement park for NYC families since 1928. Now operating under new ownership, the picturesque 280-acre park has preserved its rich early 20th century history and charm while serving up modern-day attractions and amenities. From exhilarating new rides great for teens and tweens to fun kiddie rides and new amenities like fancy family-friendly restrooms, it was time to revisit the renovated and restored Westchester gem.

My family headed out to Playland to see what was new and whether it still held the nostalgic fun I remembered. We arrived to sweet picket fences, brightly blooming flowers, lush lawns, and Art Deco buildings really set the scene, and loads of thrilling rides, carnival games, and concession stands made it a day to remember. Below, I’m breaking down some of our favorite attractions, and sharing tips for visiting the park.

27 Water Games for Kids To Play All Summer Long

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Thu, 06/30/2022 - 10:56am

A cheap roll of tinfoil, an incline of some sort, and water is all you need for a tinfoil river. Photo by Ally Noel

Water games are an easy way to keep the kids entertained and cool this summer—even in the middle of a heat wave! From a simple water balloon toss to fancier DIY fun like sprinkler Twister, these water games are sure to please all ages. Read on for our favorites—and you can also download this free printable with all 25 top water games for kids.

Need more free and cheap activities for the kids this summer break? Our family started a Boredom Busters jar: a painted Mason jar full of ideas to keep them busy (and tired out). Anyone complaining of boredom can open it and pick out an activity. Or, try one of our ultimate summer bucket list ideas with 100 (mostly) free outdoor games and activities for kids or our favorite kid-tested inflatable pools & backyard toys.

Plan a Summer Day at Jones Beach with Kids: Top Things To See and Do

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 06/24/2022 - 1:31pm

Enjoy the sand and surf at Jones Beach in Nassau County. Photo courtesy of New York State Parks

A trip to Jones Beach with kids means experiencing the jewel of Long Island state parks. And with a whopping 6 million visitors each year, it’s the second most-visited state park in New York State after Niagara Falls.

Many New Yorkers have fond memories of spending time at Jones Beach with family and friends, walking the boardwalk, taking in a concert, or simply enjoying the surf and sand. A visit to this beach feels like being on vacation. It’s so much more than a beach, and we’ve got the rundown on what to do, see, play, and eat at Jones Beach so that you get the most out of your visit.

For other open-air cultural offerings, check out our rundown of the best beaches, pools, and lakes in the area, and bookmark our comprehensive Guide to Summer Activities.

All Aboard the Polar Express on Long Island for Christmas 2022

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Tue, 06/07/2022 - 12:57pm

The Long Island Airstream Experience is hard at work prepping a new Airstream trailer to transform it into a Polar Express train on Long Island

Climbing aboard an enchanting Polar Express on Long Island used to be but a dream. Instead, it meant a long road trip to one of these Polar Express and Christmas trains near NYC or setting a calendar alert to grab the tickets to the uber-popular Essex North Pole Express train in Connecticut as soon as they went on sale, but there's a new Polar Express on Long Island that's very close to home, thanks to the newly launched Long Island Polar Express Experience courtesy of the Long Island Airstream Experience.

So, start dreaming of Christmas magic as you read on for details on this Polar Express train on Long Island, which comes straight to you, and say so long gas and tolls—it's a veritable Christmas miracle.

Free Things to Do in June With Kids on Long Island

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 06/03/2022 - 9:47am

Celebrate Long Island's diversity at LI Pride Weekend at the boardwalk in Long Beach. Photo courtesy of the event

Free things to do in June with kids on Long Island will be welcome by anyone keen on celebrating the start of summer without breaking the bank. With school events and activities winding down, families have more time to spend together ahead of summer vacation, and it's definitely possible to enjoy this last month of school and stay on budget. We’ve rounded up a list of the best FREE things to do on Long Island in June.

We've got info on fun things to do all across the region, including must-visit parks and playgrounds, spraygrounds, and outdoor eats. It's also high season for strawberry picking.

There are plenty more things to check out on our Event Calendar and you can find more seasonal happenings in our Summer Fun Guide.

Drive-In Movie Theaters in and Around Long Island for Outdoor Movie Nights with Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 05/13/2022 - 10:10am

Enjoy a drive-in movie on Long Island this summer.

Go back in time and enjoy a drive-in movie theater on Long Island this summer. Put on your PJs, grab a cozy blanket, pack some snacks, and pull up to a big-screen flick under the stars. This old-school activity continues to have new life.

We've curated a list for Long Island families looking for an evening of summer fun that will also suit anyone who is still focused on social distancing. While you're out, you might want to check out our guide to outdoor restaurants on Long Island or our roundups of great places to grab a pint of ice cream or decadant desserts to enjoy along with the flick.