The good news: Halloween is happening this year. The less good news: It’s happening a little differently than usual for many of us. When the CDC issued its Halloween guidelines in late September, the government health organization confirmed what many of us were thinking: traditional trick-or-treating may just be too risky this year.

Of course, not all families feel that way and will continue with the annual door-to-door candy grab kids love so much. But if you are choosing to stay home and celebrate Halloween in a socially distanced manner, these fun Halloween activities can be done at home, virtually, or with a small group. Some of these pandemic-era Halloween activities are sure to become family traditions because they’re just that fun. There's even a way to turn the boring old indoors into a spooky but totally safe haunted house with a new FREE AR experience from Netflix.

Visit our Halloween Guide or events page for more Halloween activities.

Located on 56 Instagram-worthy waterfront acres of Long Island’s Gold Coast, The Beacon at Garvies Point is bringing totally luxurious condos to Glen Cove with amenities that rival a five-star hotel. From the super sleek game room and seasonal outdoor heated pool to the spacious light-filled residences, families will fall hard for this little piece of North Shore paradise nestled in a dynamic new resort-style neighborhood. Oh, and for moms and dads who need to get to NYC, a future high-speed ferry service operated by the city of Glen Cove will cut the trip to Manhattan down to under an hour.

Do you have a big kid (or one at heart) who lives for the thrills and chills of Halloween time? While some area haunted houses remain shuttered until 2021, there are several haunted attractions and even some new spooky experiences (including nighttime "swamp" ride) that are open for scary business in Massachusetts or just over the New Hampshire or Rhode Island borders—all with safety policies in place to allow for social distancing. Best for older children, these Boston-area haunted attractions feature ghoulish scenery, jump scares, and even some wickedly good storylines to put everyone in the spooky spirit.

Too scary? No worries: Our Halloween Guide is packed with seasonal parades, crafts, and other activities that are just plain fun.

With millions of kids across the country attending school remotely this fall, many hotels, resorts, and campgrounds are now offering online learning assistance to ease the burden placed on parents by this new remote and homeschool lifestyle. These vacation options offer families a way to work and learn in a new environment.

From private learning suites to converted conference rooms, and chef-inspired lunches, these travel destinations have pulled out all the stops to make virtual learning while on vacation as stress-free as possible. Of course, these classrooms come with the best kind of "recess," from resort pools and water parks to cycling and surfing.

So pack your bags and plan a much-needed "schoolcation" getaway from this relentless year. Find more family vacation ideas in our Family Travel Guide.

As cooler weather reaches the Delaware Valley, Philly families are reminded of autumnal traditions. This year, consider adding a new experience to your fall must-do list by climbing aboard one of the many family-friendly train rides in the region.

From fall foliage viewing to pumpkin patch stops, there are several unique train experiences sure to delight Philly children of all ages.

Fidget toys are a great stress relief tool that can help kids calm their minds and focus on learning and other activities. Fidget toys can also be downright fun to play with. 

Here are some of our favorite fidget toys for kids. Find more fun toys in our Guide to the Best Baby and Kid Gear, Toys, and Hacks.  

New Yorkers tired of being cooped up inside, trapped behind a screen in home offices, or zooming through a day of hybrid learning, should have plenty of motivation to enjoy the great outdoors. Fall is jam-packed with things to do in New York City and there's plenty of parkland to explore. Regular schedules have been turned upside down, and the threat of the pandemic still lingers, particularly indoors.

That makes it the perfect time to get outdoors for some unstructured, messy playtime. From chilly folliage hikes to muddy puddle stomping, we've rounded up 25 dig-in-the-dirt, you're-gonna-need-a-bath-tonight ways for city kids to enjoy the coming autumnal days outdoors. So, step away from the screen and get outside.

LA County Health officials have at long last announced that parks and playgrounds around Los Angeles can reopen, after a closure of more than six months for the relentless COVID-19 pandemic. It's not surprising that all over the Southland parents are scrambling for shoes and asking each other "Where? When??" The problem is that, as encouraging as the October 5 announcement sounds, practical answers to "Which playground??" are not so easy to come by. But go ahead and find that other shoe, because some playgrounds have already begun reopening.