Five months into the coronavirus shutdown, area families are getting antsy and in need of entertainment. Though New York's numbers are looking good, the need for social distancing remains. Luckily, we're surrounded by creative operators offering private family experiences and tours that make social distancing while enjoying an out of this world excursion possible. Best of all, some of these splurge-worthy private family experiences even come to you.

Once you've had your fair share of fun at our beautiful area swimming lakes, taken a day trip or two, or even booked one of these local family-friendly camping sites, consider spicing up these last weeks of summer with a pick from our list of private family experiences.

Whether you're action-oriented and want to ride in a helicopter or are happy to have a family rendezvous with ponies, we've rounded up a variety of options. What's more, this destination-worthy list includes providers based in New York City, Long Island, Westchester County, and the Hudson Valley. Read on for a dozen options and get ready to book an unforgettable experience for your nearest and dearest.

This simple science experiment yields delicious results. With a pizza box, some tin foil, and plastic wrap, you can harness the sun’s power to cook up a storm. Solar ovens are the perfect way to spend a sunny day and sneak a little science in at the same time. 

One of our 64 Easy Science Experiments for Kids, solar ovens are a great way to get first-hand experience working with thermal energy while repurposing some trash from pizza night. 

Anchored by majestic mountains and charming small towns, the White Mountains region of New Hampshire offers family adventures year-round. Whether you want to chase waterfalls or cool off in crystalline lakes at the peak of summer, enjoy the spectacular fall foliage, or play in sparkling snow when the state morphs into a winter wonderland, this area of the Granite State features everything from countless hiking trails, to giggle-inducing amusement parks, relaxing campgrounds, and shopping outlets.

Below are 25 of our favorite things to do in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, as well as places to stay. Find more family travel in our Guide to New England.

Anyone raised around New England knows the best part of summer is discovering a new swimming hole to plunge into on a hot day. Explore any mountain range or river valley and you're sure to encounter a number of lovely, cool, and, if you're lucky, little-known swimming spots. Here are swimming holes that locals know and love in various corners of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. Bring your towels and good sense—many of these naturally formed swimming holes are rocky, and depths can be tricky to determine.

For more beautiful spots to splash this summer, check out our favorite swimming lakes in the Northeast.

Far, far away (about 26 miles from the Canadian border), you will find an enchanted place anchored by towering pines, where a star-filled sky twinkles after dusk and the cry of loons, a pretty but feisty native water bird, is the only sound that breaks the night. Welcome to Cathedral Pines Campground in Eustis, Maine, where during the day, families hike or relax on a private lake beach, and children bike, play, and savor ice cream. The setting of this Maine campground is as idyllic as it sounds.

Looking to get out of the apartment, but in need of an out of the ordinary destination? This season's crop of public art displays in NYC might be just what you need to spice up your next socially distant adventure and provide a bit of culture in a time when museums have been shuttered for months. From a fresh crop of Black Lives Matter murals in every borough to site-specific pieces in Queens, a giant gorilla on the west side, and even an augmented reality installation in the Rockaways, we've rounded up 16 cool pieces of public art to check out this summer.

Some are in familiar locations, like the newly reopened New-York Historical Society while others are off the beaten path, in spots like LaGuardia's new Terminal B. Whatever the location, you're sure to see something new.

For more family-friendly diversions, be sure to check off all the fun things to do on our list of 50 top summer activities to do before school starts, and find lots of seasonal fun in our Summer Fun Guide.

With New York City barreling toward reopening of schools this fall, the plan set forth by Mayor Bill De Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza has received plenty of pushback from educators and other stakeholders. The city's hybrid model, which combines in-person and remote learning, may have seen its most vocal opposition this week as some school leaders implored the mayor to reconsider the in-person start date to allow more time for teacher training and planning.

Currently, students are expected back in the classroom on Thursday, September 10; teachers would report just two days prior, which presents a learning curve in setting up classrooms to accommodate smaller, more socially distant seating arrangements, while also tackling the planning challenges of teaching a blended model.

Yet, despite the pressure, the administration seems set on its plans, which were given the green light by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo last week.

Updated August 13 - Amid increasing pressure, the governor of New Jersey will allow individual school districts to initially choose 100% remote learning this fall if they are unable to meet health and safety standards. Previous school reopening guidelines from the state had directed all districts to offer some form of in-person learning.

“We recognize for some districts there are legitimate and documentable reasons why some of these core health and safety standards cannot be met on day 1," Murphy said on Wednesday, August 12. "For these districts today, we are reaffirming our commitment for districts to do what’s best for their school community."

The governor has already said that any student or parent that prefers remote learning must be provided that option.