One of the significant perks of raising kids in New York City is the seemingly never-ending number of museums, zoos, aquariums, and other cultural institutions at your doorstep. While many of our favorite cultural spots have begun to reopen, things look a bit different. Whether you're having trouble snagging a ticket to your favorite venue or don't feel comfortable venturing out just yet, we've rounded up 16 virtual field trips to New York City's museums and kid-friendly haunts.

Many of these family-friendly New York City institutions typically welcome families and school groups with kid-friendly, educational programming. They've now shifted their offerings online, allowing visitors to enjoy the sights from home so, if you're looking to mix up your routine, cozy up in your PJs on the sofa and enjoy one of these virtual field trips.

New York City has changed its return to school plans yet again, delaying a return to in-person learning for most children. The city now plans to phase-in its hybrid learning plan. Hybrid learners were scheduled to return to classrooms beginning Monday, September 21.

Early education students in the DOE's 3K and pre-K programs, plus those in District 75 schools who have opted for hybrid learning, still return to the classroom beginning on that date. Students in elementary and K-8 schools return to buildings Tuesday, September 29, while those in middle and high schools, secondary schools, and transfer and adult education centers do not return until Thursday, October 1.

History, culture, and miles of pristine coastline: Newburyport, Massachusetts, packs a lot of family fun opportunities in one charming package. Located just 45 minutes north of Boston, Newburyport is also a cinch to get to for those in the Northeast, and once there, kids and families can explore leafy hiking trails, uncrowded beaches, a bustling waterfront, and more. Toss in a visit to neighboring Plum Island, and a day trip or weekend trip to Newburyport feels like a true escape.

Read on for our 25 favorite things to do in Newburyport and Plum Island. While on the North Shore, check out these seafood restaurants, family-friendly beaches, or coastal winter fun ideas, depending on the season.

Find more great trips to take with the kids in our New England Family Travel Guide.

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.