Any parent cooped up with remote learners since March can attest to how difficult it is to get through a day of on-screen schooling. Gone are the favorite subjects—lunch and recess—replaced instead by tech problems and computer crashes. But it doesn't have to be this way. While you might not have time to supervise a 45-minute midday play session, it's much easier to work a 10-minute recess break (or multiple breaks!) into a child's day.

If you're looking for more active play ideas, be sure to see our post on indoor exercise games and explore our Homeschool and Remote Learning Resources Guide for more tips and tricks to get through these unusual school days.

Known for its white sand beaches, gentle waves, and breathtaking sunsets, Clearwater Beach on Florida's Gulf Coast is one of the top beaches in the United States and makes for a great family-friendly vacation destination.  This Florida beach has a variety of seaside hotels and beach resorts for families to choose from and plenty of activities for all ages. We've listed some of our favorite things to do in Clearwater Beach below.

Fall is a great time for a Hudson Valley day trip, yet with so many great stops in the area, there’s something to do no matter the season. One all-season spot we love is Minnewaska State Park Preserve. Located in Ulster County, it offers everything from hiking to swimming, snowshoeing, and more.

Read on for our review of this stunning greenspace, which has long made our list of favorite New York state parks for a family-friendly hike.

Update: Effective Monday, November 23, DC's Smithsonian Museums are closing again due to rising numbers of COVID-19 cases. No timetable has been announced for their reopening. We will share that information as soon as we have it.  

Washington, DC's most iconic museums and cultural centers are slowly, and carefully, reopening to the public. The crown jewel of these DC museums, the Smithsonian Museums, are offering timed admission (still free!) with safety measures in place.

What's open? What's on, exhibition-wise? What's worth seeing? We have all the answers you need. Read on.

Houston's urban sprawl may not bring the word "hiking" to mind when thinking about things to do with kids. But let me tell you, the city has many amazing pockets of forests, streams, and wetlands that can be accessed by some pretty great hiking (as well as biking) trails. And we're not talking paved trails in the middle of a tree-less park; the easy hikes below make you almost forget you live in one of the country's biggest cities.

All of these parks and hiking trails are easily accessible for small children, and many are stroller and wagon friendly. Be prepared to add hiking to your list of favorite family activities after checking out these kid-friendly trails and parks.

An enriching high-quality early education is such a meaningful start, and BASIS Independent McLean’s Early Learning Program brings exactly that to families in the Northern Virginia area. Situated on a sprawling 11-acre campus in Tysons Corner—less than 15 miles outside of Washington D.C.—the age 2 through grade 12 private school helps lay a foundation for success with a world-acclaimed curriculum that thoughtfully balances kids' natural tendency to question, explore, and create with more formal academic instruction. And at the heart of it all is a deep love of learning, instilled in students by nurturing and compassionate expert teachers.

If you'd like to learn more about the Early Learning Program at BASIS Independent McLean, read on or sign up for an upcoming virtual open house.

Beacon makes for a superb family-friendly New York day trip at just about an hour from downtown White Plains. This Dutchess County town features an artsy, bustling downtown—mostly centered along Main Street, home to many different shops and restaurants. There’s something for kids of all ages, and it's also close to other exploration-worthy towns like Cold Spring.

We’ve rounded up fun things to do when you visit, whether you head up this fall or during another season. If you're looking for even more day trip ideas, check out our Family Day Trips Guide.

While much of Long Island has opened up and returned to some sense of normalcy, my little family has continued to keep things close to home. With Halloween on the horizon, we decided to pack ourselves up to visit The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze Long Island.

The event at Old Bethpage Restoration is produced by the Historic Hudson Valley, the group behind the uber-popular, long-time running, sells-out annually Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze at Westchester's Van Cortlandt Manor.

Featuring more than 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins in scenes scattered through the pathways, orchards, and grounds, the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze Long Island is an amazing feat of artistry worth adding to your fall bucket list. Read on for the details on this must-visit attraction, which overflows with local history, artistic designs, and spooky Halloween fare.