The first day of spring is usually filled with sunshine and plans for a care-free spring break, but this year things are shaping up quite differently. Much of NYC is closed thanks to the coronavirus shutdown, the Department of Education is shifting to a long-distance learning plan, and our event calendar has more virtual events than in-person ones to support the new norm of social distancing.

The rules of daily life are constantly changing, with Governor Andrew Cuomo announcing ever-tightening restrictions Friday afternoon. Individuals can go outside to collect essential supplies, like groceries and medicine, or for solitary, non-contact recreation, and must maintain a safe social distance of 6 feet.

But, no shelter-in-place order has been given, so if you need to get out with the kids, we've rounded up seven ways to do it safely during the coronavirus shutdown.

It's the first weekend of spring in Washington, DC and that normally brings inspiration to us here at Mommy Poppins.

Of course, we all know these are not normal times in the nation's capital. As precautions against the spread of the coronavirus continue,  public events, particularly with kids, remain limited and fluid. 

So many weekend events have been canceled or postponed, but there are some outdoor activities that are continuing with safety precautions in place. Call or research before heading out. With a bit of imagination we just might make it through coronavirus lockdown.   

We have previously documented several "evergreen" and indoor activities so you can manage your kids' cabin fever should you choose to avoid public and outdoor events. We've also posted a roundup of some of the best virtual storytimes, sing-alongs, STEM activities, and more that you can access here. You also might want to check our rundown of our favorite family films.

It's the first weekend of spring in Orlando and that normally brings inspiration to us here at Mommy Poppins.

Of course, we all know these are not normal times in the Sunshine State. As precautions against the spread of the coronavirus continue,  public events, particularly with kids, remain limited and fluid. 

So many weekend events have been canceled or postponed, but there are some outdoor activities that are continuing with safety precautions in place. Call or research before heading out. With a bit of imagination we just might make it through coronavirus lockdown.   

We have previously documented several "evergreen" and indoor activities so you can manage your kids' cabin fever should you choose to avoid public and outdoor events. We've also posted a roundup of some of the best virtual storytimes, sing-alongs, STEM activities, and more that you can access here. You also might want to check our rundown of our favorite family films.

It's the first weekend of spring in Atlanta and that normally brings inspiration to us here at Mommy Poppins.

Of course, we all know these are not normal times in the Atlanta area. As precautions against the spread of the coronavirus continue,  public events, particularly with kids, remain limited and fluid. 

So many weekend events have been canceled or postponed, but there are some outdoor activities that are continuing with safety precautions in place. Call or research before heading out, however. With a bit of imagination we just might make it through coronavirus lockdown.   

We have already posted several "evergreen" and indoor activities so you can manage your kids' cabin fever this weekend should you choose to avoid public and outdoor events. We've also included a roundup of some of the best virtual storytimes, sing-alongs, STEM activities, and more that you can access here. You also might want to check our rundown of our favorite family films.

School closures and canceled activities have become the norm in Philadelphia and throughout the Delaware Valley. Social distancing is on everyone's mind as parents juggle work from home while homeschooling their children. Many Philly families have turned to virtual options to pass the time. However, with mild temperatures and sunshine in the forecast for the weekend, both kids and grown ups alike could use some vitamin D and fresh air.

We have rounded up some ideas of things to do safely during these unprecedented times due to the COVID-19 situation. While some spots throughout the region are open for passive recreation, please be sure to use observe social distancing recommendations.

Stay well, Philadelphia! And for more ideas on things to do at home, be sure and check out our Coronavirus Guide for Parents.

We've all been stuck somewhere with young children for long stretches of time—road trips, airport layovers, trying to get kids to settle down for bed! When all the movies have been watched and all the books have been read, or  you're trapped in a moving vehicle, 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!