Jaime Sumersille

Latest posts by Jaime

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.

Spring Break 2023: 25 Fun Things To Do on Long Island

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 03/31/2023 - 6:54am

Go off-trail at one of Long Island’s many parks and preserves. Photo by Gina Massaro

Spring break 2023 is on the horizon, so we've scoured Long Island for ideas to keep your family entertained and engaged during the vacation. We've rounded up lots of outdoor activities and also prepared for April showers with indoor options.

Most Long Island schoolkids are on break the weeks of April 3 or April 10. Some of our picks take place on specific days, and others are anytime activities. You can find more seasonal fun in our roundup of 25 fun spring activities and our Guide to Spring Activities on Long Island.

27 Best Things To Do on Long Island April 2023 with Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Sun, 03/26/2023 - 7:28am

Wander through the gorgeous tulip fields at the Tulip Festival at Waterdrinker Farm. Photo courtesy of the farm

Easter, Passover, and Earth Day mean there's lots of fun for kids on Long Island this April!

April is showering us with plenty of things to do, including brunches and photos with the Easter Bunny, Easter egg hunts, and the start of the spring festival season. Frolic amongst a half-million tulip bulbs blooming at Waterdrinker Farm starting in mid-April, or roar into the Garvies Point Museum for its Dinosaur Daze weekend extravaganza.

We’ve got plenty more picks for seasonal fun, including our top picks for spring activities and our roundup of the best spring day trips, in our Spring Guide. 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.

31 Easter Egg Hunts on Long Island

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 03/24/2023 - 7:18am

Grab a basket full of Easter eggs at the hunt at Benner's Farm. Photo courtesy of the farm

We've rounded up the top Easter egg hunts on Long Island for spring 2023, so grab your baskets and hop to these springtime celebrations.

Many of these events are FREE, but almost all require advance tickets or reservations.

Check out our roundup of Easter Bunny brunches on Long Island and more holiday ideas in our Easter Guide, and be sure to peep our picks for the top spring activities for families.

Best Spring Festivals on Long Island for Families

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 03/20/2023 - 6:48am

Close to 500,000 tulips and other spring bulbs will bloom at Waterdrinker Family Farm & Garden. Photo courtesy of the farm

Spring is in the air on Long Island, and local destinations are ready to celebrate the changing of the seasons with family-friendly spring festivals. These seasonal celebrations make for fun outings in the great outdoors with kid-friendly crafts and activities, celebrating everything from blooms and blossoms to mothers, fathers, and more.

Find more fun ways to welcome the most colorful season in our Guide to Spring Activities, and get a rundown of can't-miss events in our list of 25 great spring activities on Long Island.

Meet the Easter Bunny at Bunny Brunches and Easter Bunny Pictures on Long Island

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Sun, 03/19/2023 - 8:14am

The Easter Bunny is the main attraction at these Long Island brunches and events.

Easter brunches and seasonal Easter Bunny pictures on Long Island are hopping this spring, so dust off your bonnets and baskets. Get ready to pose for Easter Bunny pictures, sit down to Easter Bunny Easter brunches, or even hunt for Easter eggs dropped from a helicopter.

Word to the wise: You should book reservations or purchase tickets soon as these fun Easter outings are nearly guaranteed to sell out.

Find more seasonal happenings in our Family Activity Calendar or our Guide to Spring Fun on Long Island.

Best Summer Camps in Suffolk County

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 03/13/2023 - 7:11am

Y Camps help campers make new friends and explore the world around them. Photo courtesy of the YMCA

When the school doors close for the 2022-23 year, summer camp doors open wide, and kids across Long Island gear up for new adventures and experiences. We've rounded up 15 of the top summer camps across Suffolk County that cater to kids of all ages, from infants to teens.

These Suffolk County summer camps offer activities and events that will keep kids happy all summer. Be sure to click through to each camp to verify offerings, including half-day and full-day options, door-to-door transportation, and travel programs for older campers. Many of these local camps are holding open house events or offering tours virtually or in-person, so do some legwork and find the one that suits your needs.

Find our picks for Nassau County's top summer camps, plus specialty camps and more, in our Summer Camp Guide, and search our Camp Directory to find programs by age or interest.