Best Virtual Party Performers and Kids Birthday Parties to Celebrate Online

Courtesy of Silly Circus Show

Make your child's birthday special even while staying at home with virtual parties offered by top performers and kids party providers.

Social distancing doesn’t need to be socially isolating. Take advantage of technology to help your birthday boy or girl celebrate with friends and family. Many favorite party providers are transitioning their acts to digital platforms like Zoom or Google Hangouts so kids and their friends can still have all the great group activities of a traditional birthday party. As an added bonus, these virtual parties are often much more affordable than their in-person alternatives.

Read on for our suggestions on some of the best virtual party providers to try, and make the party even more fun with these at-home party ideas.

Totally Relatable Moments from 'Little House on the Prairie's' Quarantine Episode

Quarantine is never fun, no matter the era.

Sitting here on the 3756th day of March 2020—and the five billionth day of remote learning—it's comforting to know we are not alone. Parents around the country are dealing with the same issues. In fact, after watching the "Quarantine" episode of Little House on the Prairie (season 3, episode 13), I now know that our struggles have been shared, not only across the country but across the centuries. This show gets it spot on. Does homeschooling while baking endless loaves of bread sound familiar? At least, we don't have to wash our laundry in a bucket of boiling water! Check out these relatable moments and funny quarantine memes.

Liked Bridgerton? Best British Period Dramas to Watch with Kids

For those who binged Bridgerton, what's next?  Photo courtesy of Netflix

While Bridgerton is being celebrated for bringing much needed diversity to the often whitewashed world of period dramas, it’s definitely not appropriate for children. As a costume drama devotee, historical fiction lover, and devourer of any and all period films and TV series, I’m happy to share some of my favorite popular and lesser known options that are kid-friendly. 

Period dramas are wonderful escapism. And who doesn’t need some escapism right now? Common themes are designed to make us nostalgic for a lost era of manners and the purity of the agrarian, pre-industrial past. Pair that with the over-the-top decadence of the costumes and houses, and there’s nothing better than these bingeworthy British period dramas. 

My recommendations are all rated G or PG and are available to watch online, either included with streaming services or to rent.  

21 Kids' Books About Racism, By Age

The Light We Feel Inside encourages children to look to Black female changemakers of the past as guides for their biggest feelings.

It can be hard to talk about uncomfortable things with children. Books are a great way to introduce different ideas and experiences and talk about them together. 

In the groundbreaking parenting book Nurtureshock, by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman, the chapter, “Why White Parents Don’t Talk About Race” taught me something about myself. The section explains that white parents often think that by ignoring race we will teach our children that race is not important and everyone is equal. In fact, they write, research shows that this does not work. 

I have a feeling that if Bronson and Merryman were writing this today, they might go a step further and say that white parents must actively teach children that it’s not enough to see everyone as equal. We must also see how people are not treated equally and actively work to change this inequality in our society. The following list of books for children, from toddlers to teens, goes beyond celebrations of diversity; these acclaimed books educate children about racism in our society and open conversations about social justice. 

Great Arts Camps for NYC Kids to Learn to Paint, Sculpt, Sing and Perform

Buck Rock Camp offers professional-level facilities to train your growing artist.

There's no place better than New York City for kids to learn about art, and what better way for your child to pursue their creative passions than a summer art camp? Many professional artists moonlight as talented teachers, and the demand for art programs has created a wealth of exceptional art classes and arts camps. Whether your child is into visual arts, performing arts, or wants to sample all the arts, we've found After 15 exceptional arts camps, which all excel for different reasons.

We found visual arts camps, performing arts camps, and more creative camps with programs like circus arts. Some arts camps allow kids to sample a little of everything. From summer-long intensives to week-long sampler sessions, no matter their age, if your child is ready to dive into a summer of artistic expression, read on to find the perfect arts camp.

If you need more ideas, check out our Camp Guide and full Directory of Listings for dozens more great camps.

Grand Isle Resort and Spa in Great Exuma, Bahamas Offers Laid-Back Luxury

Meet nurse sharks during a day trip around the Exumas, a string of islands in the Bahamas.

Spared by the recent hurricane, the Exumas in the Bahamas have become an increasingly popular destination, including among families who are discovering these laid-back island paradises in the Caribbean. 

The Exumas are a string of islands and cays in the Bahamas with white sand beaches and turquoise-blue waters. This area of the Bahamas is much less developed than Nassau and Paradise Island, which are popular for attractions like Atlantis. Here you'll find fewer crowds and more natural shorelines.

While celebrities and millionaires build homes on the remote and beautiful string of cays, most families head to Great Exuma or Little Exuma for their vacations. And, as any local will tell you, Grand Isle Resort and Spa is the best resort in Exuma for families. 

Wegmans Comes to Brooklyn: 3 Things to Love about NYC's Newest Grocery Megastore

Is Wegmans a grocery store, a food hall, or a restaurant? The answer is, all of the above.

Believe it or not, I had never heard of Wegmans before it opened here in NYC last week. (As a native New Yorker growing up in the city in the 70s, I was raised thinking that the only chains you saw in NYC were gold and should be tucked under your coat on the subway.) So while I was excited to hear about Wegmans coming to the Vinegar Hll neighborhood of Brooklyn, I admit I had no idea why the Rochester-based chain was all that. Did Wegmans acquire its legion of fans by its unique products, the way Trader Joes does? Was it just the suburban size value, like Costco? Did it offer better-sourced produce and meats like Whole Foods?

What I discovered is that the secret of Wegmans is that they are going for all of the above. Wegmans is the store that wants to be everything to all people. And, they seem to be pulling it off. I recently went to find out what makes NYC’s newest grocery store and food hall different from other stores. Here are the top things that make Wegmans a win for New York City families.

Juneau With Kids: An Insider's Guide to Juneau, Alaska

<i>A visit to Mendenhall Glacier is a must-do in Juneau.</i>

For many, Juneau may just be a stop on their Alaskan cruise or a layover on their way to other spots in Alaska. For Southeast Alaskans, like my family, Juneau is the “big city," which means that there's more than just a touristy cruise port area to explore in Juneau. There are plenty of things to do in Juneau that will check items off an Alaskan adventure bucket list, as well as more local experiences that give families a taste of real-life in Alaska.

These are my favorite things to do in Juneau, including local spots and top Juneau tours. And if you're heading to Haines during your Alaskan vacation, check out my list of things to do in Haines, Alaska

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