Here's one thing NYC's lockdown has made abundantly clear to urban families: home is so important. And as the city continues to prioritize staying in and safely spending time outside, many moms and dads are looking for a little more square footage and super easy access to outdoor space. Bright airy apartments and spacious interiors, welcoming terraces and rooftops, open-air swimming pools and tennis courts, and nearby parks and playgrounds are all topping wish lists as 2020 wears on.

Our sponsor, father-and-son-founded Glenwood Management, has a reputation for catering to families with rental apartment buildings in popular kid-approved neighborhoods, large rental apartments with 2-4 bedrooms, and meaningful amenities like playrooms, rooftop gardens, pools, fitness centers, and parking. Not only can Glenwood help to narrow your search for a luxury apartment with its select properties across Manhattan and Riverdale, but the company is also seriously dedicated to the many New York City families and communities it serves. Glenwood has been a long-time supporter of a number of community-oriented organizations—from local public schools to hospitals—it's prioritizing green building to preserve resources, and it plants about 150,000 tulip bulbs around the city each and every year.

Whether you're totally ready to make a move or you're really just daydreaming about your crew's next destination, read on for snapshots of some of the much-loved New York City neighborhoods Glenwood serves, plus a few of its most family-friendly buildings!

More and more families are looking into homeschool curriculum programs in the coronavirus era. But as you dive into the world of homeschooling, it readily becomes apparent that choosing a curriculum is no small task as there are just so many available.

We became a homeschooling family last year and can attest firsthand that curriculum choices come down to the individual learner. It can be a bit of a trial and error to find what works best for your family. One thing that can be especially helpful for families, especially those new to homeschooling, is to select a comprehensive curriculum that touches on all the subjects instead of picking and choosing each course curriculum individually. We've included below a number of comprehensive homeschool curriculum, but also a few top-notch specialty programs in reading, math, and science, as well as several faith-based options.

Find more at-home learning resources in our Back to School Guide and Virtual Learning and Fun Guide.

Mask up and grab your costumes because Boo at the Zoo returns to the Bronx Zoo this October, bringing with it plenty of Halloween fun for New York City kids.

The event officially kicks off Thursday, October 1, but the required timed-entry tickets are already on sale. Read on for more details on one of our annual favorites that gives us hope Halloween isn't canceled here.

Indoor attractions are making a comeback in New Jersey, with loosening restrictions making way for more ways to play inside, from our favorite restaurants to a few play spaces, movie theaters, and our famous mega mall, American Dream.

Read on for more details on the indoor attractions now open or opening soon in New Jersey.

Macy's annual Thanksgiving Day Parade is facing some major changes in 2020. In this age of social distancing, gone is the crowd-drawing 2.5-mile parade route, replaced instead by a made-for-TV spectacle that aims to capture the magic of this annual holiday tradition, while eliminating in-person spectators and reducing the number of performers.

While the parade won't make its annual march through the city streets, where it can draw 3 million spectators to city sidewalks, television spectators can expect to see many of its usual trappings and trimmings on display, including the larger-than-life balloons, over-the-top floats, and big-name performers. Some performances are set to be filmed in advance, though the majority of the production still goes on live on Thanksgiving morning. 

The changes were announced following Mayor Bill de Blasio's assertion that the parade would go "virtual" in 2020 during his daily press briefing on Monday, September 14.

Between mask breaks, outdoor play, lunchtime, and snack time, our kids take their masks on and off at least a couple dozen times a day. Each time the masks come off of their face, there is the potential for it to get trampled on the ground, shoved in the bottom of a backpack, or lost and never to be seen again. These handy DIY beaded and ribbon mask chains will allow your kid to keep their mask safe and easy to access.

As we all embark on the weirdest school year ever, adding one of these DIY mask chains to your back to school supplies list might just be essential. It's also just a fun at-home family activity that works those fine motor and design skills. 

Time for swimming lessons? Group swim classes at a local YMCA or community pool can vary widely in quality (even within a single facility), so we’re here to tell you where Angelenos who are serious about getting the job done keep their kids afloat—and it doesn't have to cost a mint. Private and semi-private swim lessons don't necessarily require a private pool, and they do get kids on the fast track to independent swimming. Several popular swim instructors and schools make use of public pools or swing deals with private pool owners to make private instruction accessible to everyone. Check out the great options below for getting kids safe in the water.

COVID-19 info: Note that as of the publish date, indoor pool facilities are not open in LA County, so lessons are only available outdoors or over the county line. The swim schools below are able to function within those parameters; swim schools that are closed during the pandemic are not listed.

Find more ideas for classes, tutoring, pod support, and homework help at our online Back-to-School Fair, going on now!

Looking for fresh air and family adventure? Head out to explore one of New Jersey's "reservations" — forested nature preserves that are like mini state parks. Hidden along river banks and tucked into woodlands, these New Jersey parks are ideal for family hikes, picnics, and biking. You can bring binoculars to spy on colorful birds or wear boots to let the kids muck around with turtles and frogs.

Most reservations have marked trails, education and nature centers, playgrounds, and restroom facilities, while others are a bit more rugged, with "carry in/carry out" policies—meaning not even trash cans are provided.

We've rounded up 10 New Jersey reservations with a variety of offerings. Read on to find the best spot for your next outdoor adventure!