The reality is, everyone is likely to be a bit nervous on the first day of daycare. Starting at a child care program is a big transition for the entire family, and a little preparation goes a very long way for kids and parents alike.

While I’ve done my share of first day drop-offs, I connected with the experts at Bright Horizons to create the child care to-do list I wish I’d had myself. If you don’t know Bright Horizons, the popular early education and preschool program has been thoughtfully designing centers, programs, and schedules to meet the needs of working families for over 30 years now. With more than 1,000 locations worldwide—plus 3 brand new NYC centers opening at West 53rd, Essex Crossing, and down in NoHo—the team behind the innovative program for infants through pre-kindergarteners knows everything there is to know about gearing up for that very first day.

Before the pandemic, homeschooling was already gaining popularity, especially in cities like Los Angeles, which has deeply rooted homeschool communities, organizations, and an almost overwhelming amount of learning opportunities for homeschoolers. Now there is even more demand for homeschooling support, as many districts have limited their online options this fall (and those few programs are very overwhelmed). Parents are looking for options—options for supporting their child's learning and options for getting a little break from their at-home learners! Enter the homeschool learning center. But where do you start? What's right for your kids? And what is a learning center, anyway? We've got those answers, and more.

For more expert tips about Homeschooling, check out our Homeschool & Learning Resources Guide for Families. And if you're looking for virtual classes to supplement your schooling, you can book classes and more activities directly from the Mommy Poppins calendar. Find events with the "book it" button or filter for classes for simple registration in just a few clicks. Here are some of our picks for great virtual classes available now.

A brand new spot for glamping near Los Angeles has just opened, and it's a piece of heaven right here in the SoCal mountains: it provides a haven for both hardcore camping enthusiasts as well as camping-hesitant newbies. Embrace the peace of camping in the outdoors at Huttopia Paradise Springs with giant pines, a babbling fresh spring running through the grounds, exquisite tents with all the amenities, and a grand pool in the middle of it all. Sleep in fresh mountain air without having to tote all the gear, pitch a tent, and then spend days unpacking and cleaning when you get home. Huttopia Paradise Springs has so much to offer to every kind of camper—and it's just waiting for your family to discover it!

Looking for more ideas for local camping and glamping? Check our Hiking and Camping Guide for Los Angeles Families. We've got loads of suggestions for family camping trips and other Weekend Getaways and Day Trips from Los Angeles.

Fall is my favorite season in the DC area. The humidity drops, but the weather is still warm enough to enjoy lots of family adventures. If you’re looking to explore our region and make some memories this fall, we’ve rounded up a list of our favorite fall day trips near Washington, DC. Whether you’re looking for beautiful fall foliage, thrills and adventure, or you’re not ready for summer to end, there’s a great destination in our region.

Let’s face it, quarantine life can feel like a never-ending escape game. Consider a change of scenery with an afternoon of indoor family fun at one of these Orlando escape rooms. Put your inner Sherlock Holmes to the test with puzzles, riddles, and challenges to work together as a team and beat the clock in these themed experiences. These Orlando escape rooms are great entertainment for tweens and teens, but some are kid-friendly to ages as young as 7! Many of these locations offer birthday party options as well. 

Hayrides are a fall ritual for many families. Depending on the age of your child, you might be in search of a gentle meander through fields or a spine-chilling adventure that sparks Halloween excitement. Tons of Boston-area farms offer hayrides, and we’ve rounded them up for you here. The best part? Most of these farms also offer other activities to entertain your family, like apple picking, corn mazes, and delicious cider doughnuts. Happy—or spooky—trails!

For more seasonal fun for Boston kids, explore our Fall Fun Guide.

All parents talk about their kids "climbing the walls"—but are yours truly climbing the walls, the trees, and random objects not meant to be climbed? Bring 'em somewhere that they can climb (safely!) as high as they like. Rock climbing is a full-body sport that builds strength, endurance, and stamina. It also challenges the mind as climbers make decisions, work out routes, and challenge themselves physically. And, as any kid who has been on a climbing wall at the park can tell you—it's just plain fun!

Most climbing gyms in the LA area offer birthday parties for kids, several offer summer camps, and all the ones listed below allow children to climb with an adult present. If your child really enjoys climbing, a youth team (many gyms offer non-competitive and competition teams) is the best way to get lots of practice and instruction. Of course, sometimes you just need to let them climb the walls for an afternoon. And here's where you can take them.

It might just be every child’s dream to sleep in a tree house, and honestly, it sounds downright magical to us as parents, too. Besides, after the year we all just had, couldn't we all use a little getaway to the woods?

We found a dozen tree house rentals to help make those dreams of sleeping in the trees come true! From Maine to California, consider these kid-friendly tree house rentals for your next family vacation.