Pennsylvania families are lucky to have school choice, allowing them to select the type of K-12 education that best fits their child and to have public funds allocated to whichever option they pick—whether that’s a public, private, or charter school. But many parents don’t realize that school choice also applies to online schools, which are growing in popularity now that many families have experienced virtual education and seen the flexibility and other advantages remote schools can provide.

Accredited online schools offer freedom and flexibility, while providing kids with a high-quality education. And, if you live in Pennsylvania, virtual public schools like the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School are free of charge. If you’re thinking about applying to an online academy, here’s what you need to know before picking a virtual K-12 program for your child.

Atlantic City, most commonly associated with casinos, may not be the first place that comes to mind for kid-friendly fun. We see the seaside town differently and, apparently, so does the Philly-based developer behind the plan to add to Atlantic City’s family appeal with a brand new, fun-for-all-ages, year-round water park, dubbed ISLAND Waterpark. Read on for details on this exciting project, which is sure to land on our list of the best things to do with kids in Atlantic City. And don’t forget to check out our Jersey Shore Family Guide for more family-fun options up and down the region.

For parents in search of kids’ birthday party ideas, the thought of a room packed to the brim with children laughing, screaming, and playing can feel overwhelming. Adding to those general anxieties is the stress of trying to minimize germ exposure right now. With all of that in mind, when it comes to the guest list for kids’ birthdays, sometimes less is more.

Fewer kids can allow for more room in the budget to splurge, more freedom to travel further distances, and more supervision over rowdy revelers. We’ve got inspiration for toddler birthday party ideas through teen birthday party ideas that are perfect for just a couple of friends or one bestie.

Now all you need is one of these 10 great birthday cake ideas for a kids' birthday party and a few of these birthday freebies for kids, and you've got birthday fun covered this year!

With the pandemic changing the structure of many people’s working lives and forcing working parents to get creative to keep kids busy during office hours, the recently opened Brooklearn in Carroll Gardens offers a bit of a reprieve for local families. The combined play space and coworking facility caters to caregivers with children up to age 5 who are juggling jobs alongside childcare duties.

Read on for our review of this innovative, family-friendly, hybrid coworking and play space, which is surely a welcome addition to our list of the best things to do with kids in Carrol Gardens and its sister neighborhoods.

With so many options on Long Island, choosing a preschool for your toddler can be daunting. To help get you started, we’ve put together a list of 10 schools in Nassau County that are definitely worth checking out.

And while doing your homework includes gathering all the information you can and perusing websites, taking your child to visit a school is probably the best way to determine its fit. Most schools have tours and open houses, so don’t hesitate to take advantage of these offerings, though many may be virtual at the moment.

For more help with your school search, take a look at our complete guide to Long Island preschools. And check out our listing of Montessori preschools if you decide to explore that option for your child.

Winter is prime whale watching season in Southern California, and there are several ways to spy on the giant mammals as they pass through on their 6,000-mile quest for Mexican romance. Each year, between December and April, roughly 20,000 Pacific gray whales migrate past our beaches, and March brings particularly high traffic because that's when the underwater procession starts to turn around.

With reduced capacity and ocean breezes, whale watch cruises are a safe outdoor activity, making these tours book up fast—so be sure to make a reservation. If your landlubbers have touchy tummies and like to stay on shore, with a little luck and clear skies, simply Sand Sledding on the Los Angeles Sand Berms or a Day Trip to One of Our Favorite SoCal Beach Towns can turn into a whale watching outing.

Looking for a unique way to beat the winter blues? Enjoy some summertime fun even in the coldest months at a multitude of indoor water parks in and near New Jersey, where the temperature is kept at a balmy 84 degrees year-round. My family especially loves indoor water parks because they are fun for mixed age groups, even grown-ups! We've made a list of indoor waterparks near New Jersey that can be reached in 3 hours or less by car, give or take your starting address and traffic, of course. 

So, go dig out your bathing suit from behind your coats and mittens, and get ready to take the plunge at one of these exciting indoor water parks. If you're looking for more seasonal fun, we've rounded up 35 things to do with NJ kids this winter, plus a slew of winter day trips.

The Loop is great... for going to work or being a tourist. But for those looking to see some of the other 76 neighborhoods in Chicago, we've got the inside track on more fun things to do with kids. Just west of Wrigleyville and north of the hipstery Bucktown neighborhood are two of our favorite neighborhoods in Chicago: Roscoe Village and North Center. Bounded by Ashland Avenue to the east, Belmont on the south, Montrose on the north, and the Chicago River on the west, these neighborhoods have a slightly funky, retro feel, and they're a great place for young families to live. There are also a few fun new venues and restaurants in the area that appeal to more adventurous families.

Whether you're looking for bikes, books, brunch, or bowling, Roscoe Village and North Center have plenty of well-kept secrets and family favorites. We hope they become some of your favorite neighborhoods, too! For more things to do in our favorite Chicago neighborhoods, check out our Visitors Guide.