Many parents are scrambling for backup childcare as the coronavirus threat closes schools, but not workplaces. If you're suddenly trying to both host a conference call and homeschool the kids, you might be considering new emergency childcare options.

Some of us are also asking: Is it even safe to hire a babysitter during the COVID-19 outbreak? These are unprecedented times and parents are facing challenges we've never had to consider. Social distancing is ideal, but if your reality requires childcare due to the nature of your job, we rounded up the options for emergency babysitters and other childcare options, and what questions to ask before hiring a sitter in these strange times. Keep in mind that local social distancing rules are in effect in most areas, so follow your locality's guidance. The White House also recently recommended gatherings of no more than 10 people at a time to stem the spread of COVID-19.

Find online homeschool options in our roundup of 20+ (Mostly Free) Online Education Sites, Games, and Apps, and more at-home activities and local resources in our Pandemic Guide for Parents.

Updated Sunday, March 15 at 6pm

Following mounting pressure, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Sunday that the New York City Department of Education—the largest school district in the nation—would close until at least April 20 in an attempt to stem the spread of COVID-19 in the area. The late Sunday announcement may leave parents scrambling to find childcare, figure out what "distance learning" will look like, and what to do with kids at home all day every. 

To help everyone grapple with the new reality, we've put together more details about the NYC school closings, where kids can get free meals while schools are closed, how to get free internet access, as well as other updates about how Coronavirus is impacting NYC, including other closings of NYC institutions.

Continue to check back on our Cornavirus Guide for Parents as we update it daily with any news and Boredom Busters to keep the kids busy. We've got educational science experiments, fun exercise games, remote learning resources like FREE online coding classes for kids, and more. 

Updated: Monday, March 16 at 7am

When Governor Andrew Cuomo took to the airwaves on Thursday afternoon to announce new bans on mass gatherings in the state, Broadway shows were one of the first New York City standbys to go dark, but in the past 24 hours, the closures have piled up. From the New York Public Library to myriad museums, cultural institutions, and indoor play spaces, the city is gearing up for a whole new way of life. Sunday night brought even more changes with Mayor Bill de Blasio announcing bars and cafes will be limited to take-out and delivery orders only, and that nightclubs, theaters, and small concert venues must close effective Tuesday, March 17 at 9am.

See our Coronavirus Guide for the latest on the virus, plus tons of options to keep families busy while the city faces these unprecedented shutdowns, and read on for details on the significant closures city-wide.

It's our job at Mommy Poppins to bring you the best ideas, events, and places for family fun. But with this week’s continuing and unprecedented response to the coronavirus pandemic, we’re here to tell you where not to go. As you probably already know, most of the kid-friendly programs, events, and yes, even schools, have been shut down for the near future. To help you best plan and prepare for this tough stretch, we’ve compiled the schools, museums, zoos, play spaces, and more that have closed their doors to help stop the spread of this virus. 

If you and the kids are stuck at home, we’ve got plenty of ideas for you! With our hundreds of ideas for games, crafts, and activities, “I’m bored” shouldn’t be a phrase you hear too often. So be sure and check out the Mommy Poppins Coronavirus Guide for Parents, which is filled with fun activities as well as insider tips for keeping your loved ones safe and healthy. Our event calendar is also being updated with cancellations and postponements. We here at Mommy Poppins Houston send best wishes to everyone affected by this virus.

We here at Mommy Poppins are always on a mission to bring you the best ideas, events, and places for family fun. But with this week’s continuing and unprecedented response to the coronavirus pandemic, we’re here to tell you where not to go. As you probably already know, most of the kid-friendly programs, events, and yes, even schools, have been shut down for the near future. To help you best plan and prepare for this tough stretch, we’ve compiled the schools, museums, zoos, play spaces, and more that have closed their doors to help stop the spread of this virus.

The COVID-19 / coronavirus pandemic is closing a few schools, in case you hadn't heard.

Great news, though: We have a chance to be heroes! By doing our part, we get to help our friends and neighbors stay healthy during this Coronavirus emergency. What's asked of us is pretty simple: wash your hands (you should be doing that anyway), sneeze into your elbow (same), and don't go to school... say what, now?

Yes, kids, you get to be honest-to-goodness heroes by not going to school. We'll be giving up on a few fun things as well, but just for a few weeks. Pretty much everyone has jumped on the bandwagon, thanks in no small part to Governor Newsom's directive to put a pause on all large gatherings. Schools are closing. Museums, zoos, theaters are closing. DISNEYLAND IS CLOSING. (This is Momma's stunned face.) Stores and restaurants are open, but we wish you luck trying to find a roll of toilet paper.

Ordinarily, sharing fun public events is our raison d'etre​. But right now, the best way we can all be good members of our community is to stay home more, support local businesses when we can, explore wide open spaces, and take a moment to breathe (just not too close to anyone else).

Our Coronoavirus Guide is full of news updates as well as projects you can do at home, and other suggestions to get you and your kids through this unusual few weeks. Our calendar may be light on live events, but look out for interactive concerts, classes, virtual tours, and other fun stuff you and your kids can participate in online.

Normally, our job at Mommy Poppins is to clue parents in to where to have fun with kids around Connecticut. But as coronavirus spreads through our community, we're also here to tell you where not to go. Here are the schools, museums, zoos, indoor play spaces, libraries, and stages we know to be temporarily closed around Connecticut. Please visit and comment on our Facebook page to let us know what other closures we are missing and should know about. 

Stuck at home? Look to our Mommy Poppins Coronavirus Guide for Parents for hundreds of ideas for games, crafts, and activities, as well insider tips and takes for keeping kids safe and healthy at home and beyond. All the best from our families to yours.