Jaime Sumersille

Latest posts by Jaime

Awesome Amusement Parks on Long Island for Families

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Sun, 05/08/2022 - 2:57pm

Head to the pirate-themed Bayville Adventure Park or explore one of these other local amusement parks on Long Island.

Feeling the need for speed and splashes? These amusement parks on Long Island are ready to welcome you and your thrill-seeking family for summer fun. Whether your kids are eager to check out the latest rides and attractions at these local amusement parks, or you can’t wait to make new memories with your family at the amusement parks you enjoyed as a child, now is the perfect time to make plans to visit these amusement parks on Long Island.

Read on for details on how to enjoy our favorite amusement parks on Long Island this summer and for more entertainment inspiration, bookmark our Guide to Amusement Parks and Water Parks Near Long Island.

Best Summer Camps on Long Island for Teens and Tweens

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 04/18/2022 - 5:58pm

Quinipet Camp offers both day camp and sleepaway camp options in a scenic, Long Island Sound location. Photo courtesy of the center

Long Island families are blessed to be surrounded by great options for summer camps, but when kids outgrow the local summer day camp, finding the perfect summer camp program can prove challenging. We've done the legwork for you, though, and found 15 summer camps on Long Island catering to teens and tweens. These summer camps keep big kids' interests at heart and their inventive programming is practically guaranteed to get your teens and tweens out the door daily, no nagging necessary.

For more summer camps in Long Island, including picks for everything from preschool summer camps on Long Island, to our top picks for summer camps in Suffolk County and Nassau County's best summer camps, be sure to bookmark our Long Island Summer Camp Guide and our Camp Directory where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and town.

The Best Birthday Party Venues on Long Island For Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Sun, 04/17/2022 - 2:44pm

Xplore Family Fun Center birthday parties include pizza, drinks, arcade cards, and plenty of playtime. Photo courtesy of the venue

Birthday parties have morphed into an entity all their own. Each year's celebration seemingly has to be bigger and better than the last. We've rounded up Long Island's best birthday party venues, which are sure to please kids of all interests, from divas and princesses to tumbling tots, animal enthusiasts, and adventure-seeking teens.

These birthday party venues make the planning easy, and almost all include a host, setup and cleanup, food, and other essentials. The hardest part is picking just one, but don't worry: There's always next year!

Be sure to check out our Birthday Party Guide For Long Island Kids for even more tips on planning the perfect birthday party for your wee one. It has plenty more birthday party venues, plus ideas for planning first birthdays, birthday parties for preschoolers and toddlers, birthday party venues for active kids, and more.

You know what else a birthday needs? Gifts! Get tried-and-tested favorite gift suggestions the Best First Birthday Gifts, and more in our Guide to Top Toys and Gear for Kids.

Where to Find Decadent, Over-the-Top Desserts at Restaurants on Long Island

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Sun, 04/10/2022 - 8:14am

Manny's Sweet Treats in Mineola serves a sundae big enough for a bathtub.

If you're looking to add a little indulgence to your day, why not visit one of these Long Island restaurants serving up decadent desserts sure to hit your sweet spot. From groovy, tie-dye milkshakes to larger-than-life sundaes, here are 11 family-friendly restaurants on Long Island serving outrageously over-the-top sweet treats.

For more dessert finds, check out our list of old-fashioned ice cream parlors on Long Island and find more all-occasion eats in our Guide to Family-Friendly Restaurants.

Super Skate Parks in Long Island for Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Tue, 03/29/2022 - 6:32pm

Kids young and old can get in on the action at Long Beach Skate Park. Photo by Brian Bachisin

If your adventuresome little skater likes to carve and ollie and has started turning your furniture and household items into a skating playground, we've got a better idea. Take them to one of these skate parks in Long Island, where roller skaters, bladers, skateboarders, trick bikers, and more daredevils show off their stunts, fully padded and protected of course.

Find more action-packed outings in our guide to Sports Centers and Fun Zones on Long Island.

Great Preschools in Suffolk County for Long Island Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Tue, 03/22/2022 - 4:06pm

Miss Midgie's preschool offers lots of hands-on, creative play in its preschool curriculum. Photo courtesy of the school

You might get misty-eyed thinking about sending your little one off to preschool, but September is just around the corner. With so many preschools in Suffolk County, choosing the right early childhood education program can be overwhelming. We've rounded up a selection of the top preschools in Suffolk County. While location might play a role in your choice, consider the school’s teaching philosophy and take some time to tour a few preschools with your child before making a decision on where to enroll.

Families in Nassau County can check out our list of local Nassau County preschools to consider, and if you’re interested in Montessori preschools on Long Island, we’ve got you covered there, too. Head over to our complete Guide to Long Island Preschools for more helpful information.

Sports Summer Camps on Long Island for Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Tue, 03/15/2022 - 5:49pm

Lacrosse Academy operates several summer camps across Hempstead's parks. Photo by Jaime Sumersille

There are plenty of summer camp options on Long Island, and choosing among them might be dizzying. If you have a budding athlete on your hands, a sports summer camp is worth considering. From basketball summer camps to lacrosse summer camps, multi-sport summer camps, and more, we've found a slew of sports summer camps on Long Island for kids.

For more summer camps on Long Island, including picks for preschool summer camps across Long Island, dance summer camps on Long Island, and the best affordable summer camp options nearby, be sure to bookmark our Long Island Summer Camp Guide and our Camp Directory where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and town.

St. Patrick's Day Events and Free Parades on Long Island for Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 03/04/2022 - 4:17pm

Celebrate your Irishness at the Glen Cove St. Patrick's Day parade,

Few regions celebrate their Irish heritage better than Long Island. After a two-year pandemic pause, St. Patrick's Day parades are stepping off this month with grand fanfare.

From Rockville Centre to Montauk, from the first weekend of March till the last, Main Streets across the Island come alive with pipers, parade marchers, traditional food, music, dance, and more. Huntington itself swells with visitors on the second Sunday of March, when one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day gatherings in New York State kicks off in the village downtown. That Huntington parade is dwarfed perhaps only by New York’s City’s celebration, which this year is Thursday, March 17.

Most of these events are low cost or FREE, ideal for families, and appropriate for first-generation Irish-Americans or those who are just Irish for a day.