Playgrounds are the perfect destination when you need a change of scenery and a change of pace. Your kids get fresh air and exercise for FREE! But what happens when your school-aged children decide they’re too cool for their once-favorite neighborhood parks? My 8-year-old former playground-enthusiasts have recently begun to turn their noses up at the local swing sets. And if I do talk them into a playground visit, we last about five minutes.

Playground parents—don’t give up yet. I haven’t! There are some destination playgrounds in New Jersey with features and contraptions novel enough to satisfy even the pickiest playground cynics. These play areas include zip lines, crazy slides, Spiderman-type climbers, and other structures that challenge the ages 7-and-up crowd. We've rounded up some of our top picks across the state, and take note: These playgrounds all feature plenty to entertain the younger siblings as well.

Find more romping spots in our Parks & Playgrounds Guide for Jersey Kids.

For the first time since 1861, Santa won't greet pint-sized visitors at Macy's flagship location in New York City this holiday season. The beloved Santaland instead transforms into a virtual experience. Santaland festivities have also been canceled at the chain's Chicago and San Francisco locations.

While Santa still plans to take his star turn in the reimagined Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the department store is keeping the safety of kids and Kris Kringle at heart by shifting his wish-collecting duties to virtual visits via Macy's Santaland at Home, which launches Friday, November 27, and runs through Thursday, December 24.

Who misses seeing a movie in a movie theater? Watching new releases on an iPhone got old really fast, and even if you have a great TV for family movie nights, there is something sooo much more special about going to a real live cinema, sitting in those indulgent movie theater seats, leaning back, and watching a new movie on an enormous screen with no interruptions (preferably with a snack you would never eat under any other circumstances). Well, good news: whether or not your state is allowing movie theaters to reopen, there is a way to have that big screen cinema experience again—and without having to sit next to anyone you don't know!

Westchester’s Winter Wonderland returns for a 2020 run, reimagined as a drive-thru holiday attraction to comply with COVID-19 safety guidelines. The festive, glittering seasonal display runs for five weeks and features dazzling visuals, character appearances, and the promise of a socially distant encounter with Santa.

Read on to learn more about what to expect when Kensico Dam Plaza is transformed into Westchester's Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru, plus how to reserve your tickets.

First came animatronic dinosaurs; next, glowing reindeer! Following the success of the Jurassic Quest drive-thru experience this summer, Foxborough's Gillette Stadium will host Magic of Lights, a holiday-themed drive thru featuring hundreds of thousands of LED lights. From November 13, 2020 through January 2, 2021, Boston families can ride through and past a sparkling display featuring Christmas scenes and music—all in the safety of their own cars.

Learn more about Magic of Lights—including newly updated ticket information—here, and keep tabs on our Boston events calendar for other exciting area happenings this fall, winter, and beyond.

Any parent cooped up with remote learners since March can attest to how difficult it is to get through a day of on-screen schooling. Gone are the favorite subjects—lunch and recess—replaced instead by tech problems and computer crashes. But it doesn't have to be this way. While you might not have time to supervise a 45-minute midday play session, it's much easier to work a 10-minute recess break (or multiple breaks!) into a child's day.

If you're looking for more active play ideas, be sure to see our post on indoor exercise games and explore our Homeschool and Remote Learning Resources Guide for more tips and tricks to get through these unusual school days.

Known for its white sand beaches, gentle waves, and breathtaking sunsets, Clearwater Beach on Florida's Gulf Coast is one of the top beaches in the United States and makes for a great family-friendly vacation destination.  This Florida beach has a variety of seaside hotels and beach resorts for families to choose from and plenty of activities for all ages. We've listed some of our favorite things to do in Clearwater Beach below.

Fall is a great time for a Hudson Valley day trip, yet with so many great stops in the area, there’s something to do no matter the season. One all-season spot we love is Minnewaska State Park Preserve. Located in Ulster County, it offers everything from hiking to swimming, snowshoeing, and more.

Read on for our review of this stunning greenspace, which has long made our list of favorite New York state parks for a family-friendly hike.