There's never been a better time for podcasts. Prepare to download.

We've all been stuck somewhere with young children for long stretches of time—road trips, airport layovers, or, more recently, sheltering in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. When all the movies have been watched and all the books have been read (and we still can't leave the house), what are families to do for entertainment?

Enter the podcast. Not just for news updates and politics anymore, many podcasts cater specifically to younger audiences. We've rounded up our favorite kid-friendly podcasts that provide quality content the whole family can appreciate. All of these are easily accessed through smart phone, tablet, or computer, so get ready for hours of entertainment and even some learning opportunities. Most are even free!

For more entertainment ideas during this challenging time, check out our Coronavirus Guide for Parents.

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.