Keep those little ones learning with these baby utensils
So you’ve figured out your little one is ready to start feeding themselves. And while it’s a super exciting time, it’s also a super…messy time. It’s totally worth it, but helping your babe learn to feed themselves is a lot easier with the right tools. Baby utensils have come a long way and we’ve found some of the best. Plus, these great products make the baby-led weaning thing far less daunting—for both you and your little learner.
Not only is this set soft and durable silicon, offers separated compartments in the shape of a smiley face, and comes in multiple colors, but it's also dishwasher- and microwave safe.
If your babe is used to their pacifier, it's easy to get that self-feeding thing down with this feeder. Fill it with soft foods, frozen liquids, and more.
Olababy
Olababy Soft-Tip Training Spoon for Baby-Led Weaning
Popsicles are super fun, but they're also a mess (especially for little ones). These molds are designed to prevent the popsicle from sliding off the stick, plus they let you control the ingredients your kiddo is eating in their treat.
These gentle baby utensils are perfect for the first stage of baby-led weaning. They're gentle and are shaped so they're super easy for little one's hands to grasp. They come in a bunch of colors, too.
No one promised that baby-led weaning would be a clean process (though totally worth it!), so mitigate the mess with these full-sleeve bibs that stay on while they're learning.
This cute set is created from natural rice husk to provide a BPA-free and eco-friendly alternative to other materials. Plus, all five pieces fit together for easy on-the-go feeding!
Keep their puree pouches and juice boxes secure in these flippable holders! They're designed to fit most pouches and boxes, so we recommend grabbing a few to keep on hand.
Yep, we're singing the song in our heads, too. These silicon bibs allow you to simply wipe for clean-up, offer multiple colors, and have a mess-catching design (though we apologize to all the family dogs laying by the high chair).
Spoons can be a lot easier to master than forks, and this set of baby spoons makes them even easier thanks to the no-wrong-way-to-hold design and no need to balance. This set comes with both a first and second stage spoon, too.
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When you’re sweating it out in the summer, the last thing you want to do is turn on the stove and make an elaborate dinner. From refreshing salads and cold dinner ideas to delicious wraps, we’ve whipped up a list of our favorite summer recipes that don’t involve cooking. Take a break from the oven and make one of these tasty no-cook meals!
These fresh and delicious shrimp spring rolls from Tastes Better from Scratch are such an easy cold dinner idea, you’ll want to add them to your recipe rotation ASAP.
Grab a bag of pre-shredded cabbage and carrots, roast chicken, peanuts, and other yummy ingredients like ginger, soy, and of course, peanut butter, and whip up this Thai-inspired chicken salad from Pinch of Yum without ever having to turn on the stove or oven.
Great as a side or a delicious dinner, this summer corn salad is refreshing and light. Made with a homemade dressing, you can easily dress up this salad by adding a protein and make it easier, by chopping up everything the night before! Find the recipe at Hip2Save.
Psst! The secret to this chicken salad from How to Feed a Loon—besides fresh and simple ingredients—is that it uses rotisserie chicken. It makes the prep work extra easy and the result extra delicious. Enjoy it as a sandwich or on top of a bed of lettuce!
Mexican Bean Salad
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Now, this is our kind of cooking: the most work you’ll have to do for this Mexican-inspired salad is chopping and opening a few cans of beans. And since letting it sit helps the flavors meld together, it tastes even better the day after you make it. To get the recipe, click here.
Your mind will be blown when you try this tomato sauce that doesn’t require any cooking at all. Just throw all the ingredients into the blender or food processor and prepare to be impressed. Click here to grab the recipe.
These tasty pinwheels from Lisa’s Dinnertime Dish make the perfect lunch or light dinner. With an assist from a rotisserie chicken, a little spinach, and a sprinkling of taco seasoning, they’re as tasty as they are a healthy summer recipe.
One of our favorite cold dinner ideas! Inspired by the classic lobster roll, you can make these with pre-cooked crab from the store. With a few other ingredients, you’ll have a no-cook meal ready in under 30 minutes. Click on the picture for this incredible summer recipe.
What do you get when you combine pasta and Caesar salad? This dish from Life Made Simple! It’s loaded with all the classic flavors you expect—crisp romaine, pasta, chicken, cherry tomatoes, and lots of cheese!
It doesn’t get much more refreshing than this noodle-free pad Thai by Cookie and Kate. Fresh and crunchy veggies are coated with a sweet, tangy, slightly salty peanut sauce to make a fabulous light dinner.
This Dutch recipe from A Gourmet Food Blog has all the makings of an instant kid favorite: crusty bread, lunchmeat, and a little mayo. It’s a fun way to take your bologna sandwich to the next level.
For a super fresh and satisfying dinner, you’ve got to try this fun take on taco boats from Minimalist Baker. Veggies are nestled into leaves of romaine, then it’s all drizzled with hummus and a creamy tahini sauce.
When it’s too hot to contemplate cooking, a bagel bar is THE way to go. There are a million delicious ways you can layer them up, and the results can be as hearty and healthy as you want. Get inspired to make your own over at The View from Great Island.
Here’s a win-win idea from Mom’s Kitchen Handbook: skip the over-complicated summer meal and get the kids to eat more greens. They’ll love this cobb salad, which sports delicious add-ons like avocado, smoked turkey, and egg.
When you need a summertime meal, keep it simple! Combine fresh mozzarella and tomatoes for an easy peasy, kid-approved salad. For the quick how-to, (courtesy of Chef Brendan Collins), click here.
These rollups from Arla are a great way to change up a lunch routine or give your usual summertime dinner a new spin. Use your favorite cheese, add in some extra veggies for a healthy kick, and you’re good to go!
Psst! Looking for a salad that won’t trigger your picky eater’s veggie radar? This no-cook meal from Dinner at the Zoo is loaded with meat, cheese, olives and yes, veggies, so it’s got a range of tasty ingredients. You can even top it off with a homemade Italian-style dressing!
This delicious wrap idea from Chelsea’s Messy Apron is super flavorful and even includes hummus and a bunch of good-for-you vitamins and minerals. Eat it straight-up as a summertime salad or just have a tasty wrap for dinner!
For a cold dinner idea that everyone will love, why not go the classic route of sweet tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and tangy feta? This salad is a cinch for picky eaters—just arrange it on the table salad-bar style, which allows each family member to create their own unique dish. Snag the recipe for this no-cook meal here.
Because there’s more to life than buttered noodles
If there’s one thing parents can agree on, it’s to pick your battles—especially when it comes to picky eaters. For kids with particular palates, it can be difficult for them to eat at all, much less anything with brightly-colored veggies. That’s why we’ve rounded up simple recipes for picky eaters that will change up your usual fare but aren’t so adventurous they’ll turn their nose up at them.
Picky eaters not only prefer plain meals, but they usually want them quickly. Dash for Dinner has the ultimate compromise: simple, creamy mac and cheese that only requires five ingredients and whips up in the Instant Pot.
Air Fryer Pizza Toast
When it comes to meals for picky eaters, they can usually spy a veggie a mile away. That's why we love this air fryer pizza toast from My Fussy Eater. It's up to you whether you want to make the homemade sauce that sports carrot, bell pepper, and zucchini because it will still be fit for a picky eater thanks to the option to put whatever toppings you like.
Potatoes tend to be friendly with picky eaters, thanks to french fries. If you’re looking to put a new spud recipe into the rotation, we love this idea for mashed potato nuggets from High Chair Chronicles. They are simple and use up mashed potatoes you might have on hand. Better yet, when you dress them up in a fun container, the littles will be even more intrigued to give them a go.
Buttered noodles are common fare, but they get old quickly. This dinner idea for picky eaters slowly adds a new flavor into the mix and is a meal everyone can enjoy. Rasa Malaysia's parmesan garlic noodles come together in 20 minutes and uses simple ingredients that will hopefully fly under your picky eater's radar.
Ok hear us out: we know the idea of a black bean taco may not sit well with a picky eater, but this one is CRISPY. Pinch of Yum (which is run by a mom of two) calls these "black bean crispies" in her house, and they are perfect for kids who don't like meat. The vegetarian recipe for crispy black bean tacos can also be served with a cilantro lime sauce so the adults can dig in, too.
Getting kids to eat fish may seem impossible, but it always helps to camouflage new foods so it looks like something they already like. That's why we think this recipe for parmesan baked fish nuggets may just work, thanks to its chicken nugget vibe. There is no frying involved and everything comes together in less than 30 minutes.
We’re hoping the adorable size of these slider sandwiches will entice picky eaters to give them a try. These ham and cheese poppy seed sliders from Six Sisters Stuff are made with a sauce for extra flavor, but there’s absolutely no reason you can’t leave half the batch sauce-free so there’s something for everyone. Better yet, feel free to mix up different deli meats and cheeses to satisfy your picky eaters.
A great source of protein, but still on the plain side, these bacon and egg cups from Wondermom Wannabe may be the solution to breakfast woes. We like that you can make them ahead of time and customize them with whatever cheese and toppings you like.
Picky eaters eat dessert, too! This four-ingredient recipe for cinnamon sugar tortilla chips from Dinner Then Dessert whips up in 10 minutes and is perfect for all tastebuds. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even serve them with fruit salsa (hey, it might work), ice cream, or a fun dip.
Stop scrolling! We know this photo of a chicken quesadilla has all sorts of things a picky eater might run away from, but we have thoughts. First, Carlsbad Cravings' recipe makes them super crispy which kids tend to gravitate towards. Next, you can pack in as much or little filling as your kids will eat. That can be multiple types of cheese, different meats, veggies—or just skip them entirely. The beauty is in the ability to customize so everyone has something they can enjoy.
No rise whole wheat dough and real mozzarella will make parents actually feel good about serving this pizza. This eight-ingredient recipe for cheese pizza bites from Kristine's Kitchen works great for school lunches or dinner and can be served with a dipping sauce.
We firmly believe the magic of this casserole lies in the base layer: Dorito chips. Bake Me Some Sugar's ground beef Dorito casserole can satisfy everyone at the table—no second or third dinner required. After adding chips to your dish, then it's a matter of topping it with ground beef, beans, and cheese before baking. When it's ready, picky eaters can enjoy it as-is, while more seasoned palates can top it with lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream––or more chips.
A classic carbonara has no cream and no heavy sauce because the eggs do all the work, making it both light and decadent at the same time. This recipe, sure to delight picky eaters, is from Scrummy Lane and gives a lot of tips on how to make the perfect carbonara.
Just think of these meatballs from Kitchen Sanctuary as the secret agents of your dinner table. In addition to a veggie-full sauce, this recipe for picky eaters has a hidden dose of zucchini, onion, and mushrooms. Add it all up and your family will have a favorite new meal that’s actually healthy comfort food.
Psst! Can you keep a secret? This pretty smoothie from Simple Roots Wellness has a lot of berry flavor and a superstar veggie ingredient: cauliflower! Once blended, kids will never know about this sweet treat's mystery ingredient—it’s perfect for breakfast or a snack!
This delicious homemade chicken noodle soup is a win for everyone, including picky eaters. You can't go wrong with this recipe from Jennifer Tyler Lee.
Roll up some ham and cheese for a dinner that will have the little ones forgetting about their pre-boxed meat, cheese, and crackers (you know which ones we're talking about). You and your kids can whip up this recipe for picky eaters from It's Peachy Keen in less than 20 minutes for a fun, fingers-only meal.
You know that stockpile of juice boxes your family has been collecting? This sweet recipe from Oatmeal With a Fork puts them to good use! The chicken is flavorful and easy to make—and we’re willing to bet it’ll be a hit with picky kids and grown-ups alike.
How yummy does this pizza casserole look? Any picky person will love this twist on the classic meat lover's pizza from Bitz & Giggles—it’s the ultimate comfort food.
This berry smoothie recipe from Kristine's Kitchen Blog is a great way for picky kids to have more veggies and have no clue about it! The sweet smoothie will be gone before they even realize they are consuming healthy greens.
Thank goodness for stir fry! If you've got a picky kid who actually likes broccoli (it's possible!) this honey garlic chicken and broccoli stir fry not only features a good amount of the veggie, but it also has sweet and savory flavors that are better than any take-out options. And did we mention it only takes 30 minutes to make?
This three-ingredient crock pot sweet pork recipe is so simple you can make it with your eyes closed. At least, that’s what Erin at Table for 7 claims she loves most about this dish. Depending on how much spiciness your tastebuds like (or don’t like), you can switch up your salsa choices to best suit what your picky eaters enjoy most. Serve this pork on top of a bed of rice and dig in.
Ingredients for Crock Pot Sweet Pork:
2 lbs boneless pork
2 c salsa
1 c brown sugar
Method:
1. Spray crock pot or line with crock pot liners/parchment paper. Add pork into crock pot.
2. In a separate bowl, mix salsa and brown sugar well. Pour over pork.
Keeping a chronicle of her cooking exploits on her site Table for 7, Erin says her site is all about her cooking and baking experiences; the good and the not so good. Erin’s not a professional baker, cook, or photographer but honest about what she prepares at home. Along with her plain-eating husband, her family consists of a couple of picky eaters (and one very picky eater). She creates recipes that aren’t fancy, flashy, or cost you a small fortune to make.
Saying “you don’t have to eat it” actually works in your favor
Have a picky eater in the house? You know, the kid who only eats food in three shades of white or the kid who physically gags at the sight of anything new on their plate? There is hope—and no, it doesn’t consist of waiting for them to go to college and outgrow their food aversions. We asked doctors, nutritionists, and the like for tips on how to get kids to eat healthy(ier). See not only how you can use their techniques to get your kids to eat something other than boxed mac ‘n cheese, but which positive words will help you get there.
This article is sponsored by Sun-Maid, one of the most iconic, timeless and trusted snacks in America. With delicious yet versatile products, busy parents can make wholesome recipes that are ready to eat anytime, anywhere. Learn more about Sun-Maid here!
Things You Can Do to Get Kids to Eat Healthily
Play Grocery Store Games
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Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, and author of Read It Before You Eat It—Taking You from Label to Table sees the supermarket as a giant classroom. "For example, grocery store 'field trips' allowed me to show and tell my kids that all foods can fit into a healthy diet as long as you know how to balance your plate. For older kids, ask them to compare the labels of certain products to show them how vastly different even similar-looking foods are from a nutritional standpoint."
If your kids are too young to read labels or you are just beginning your healthy-eating journey, Taub-Dix recommends playing games in the grocery store. "Play 'I Spy' in the produce aisle by asking them to pick out colorful foods that are red, green, or yellow, for example. Or have them find foods that are circular, oval, or some other shape. Spotting red foods or round foods, for example, may help kids see the food as something that's fun instead of something they'd prefer to avoid. This game can be expanded on when you go home—just unpack and use the similarly shaped or colored purchases to create simple recipes your kids can help prepare."
Catherine McCord, founder of Weelicious and One Potato—an organic meal-delivery kit made with families in mind—knows a thing or two about how to get kids to eat healthy foods. Her secret weapon? Making meals approachable yet fun like these monogrammed sandwiches.
Always on the lookout for the next idea to help parents in the daily meal struggle, McCord also launched the Smoothie Project Cookbook, inspired by her son when she was looking for a way to boost his nutrition. And truth be told, what kid can resist a smoothie? The best part is when McCord dropped this expert tip: "Adding frozen cauliflower makes smoothies creamy, and you don’t taste it." Your kid gets a great-tasting smoothie, and you get to sneak in some vegetables—all without your picky eater being the wiser.
There's nothing wrong with appealing to a toddler's taste says Taub-Dix. "Think outside the pan and add something sweet to complement the taste of certain veggies. For example, saute dried cranberries, chopped dried apricots, or raisins along with broccoli rabe to cut its bitter taste. Or drizzle some honey on Brussels sprouts before roasting them. Adding a touch of sweetness for young palates can make vegetables way more desirable. I'm not suggesting that you spoon on sugar or add sweet ingredients in large quantities, but my whole family enjoys these additions to vegetable dishes and yours may too."
Stop the Custom Meals
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Kai Nunziato-Cruz, a 14-year-old nutrition expert and author of Digest This Now for Kids!, (son of Dr. Liz Cruz, a Board Certified Gastroenterologist, and Tina Nunziato, a Certified Holistic Nutritionist) recommends parents stop making kids separate meals. "If the parents are eating a healthy meal, the kids need to eat the same meal. Don’t give the kids whatever they want. They will always choose chicken fingers and mac 'n' cheese over salmon and broccoli. If you don’t give them the option they might not eat dinner a few times but they will start to eat the healthier foods eventually."
And if you really are committed to eating healthier (the whole family included) then it's time to cut the junk says Nunziato-Cruz who suggests parents stop buying junk food and having it around the house. "Only buy fresh fruits and vegetables for kids to snack on. They will snack on whatever is nearby. But if junk food is there too, they will always choose that instead. Don’t make it available."
Registered dietitian nutritionist and founder of Kids Eat in Color, Jennifer Anderson, empowers her clients by saying, "You don't have to eat it." She says, "Instead of forcing kids to eat vegetables, I recommend telling kids, 'You don't have to eat it.' It's easy to think that forcing kids to eat food will get them to like it. What often happens instead, is that they end up disliking the food they were forced to eat. This doesn't mean 'anything goes' at dinnertime, however. It means that parents serve a balanced meal, including at least one food they know their child likes, and the child decides what to eat from what is available."
In addition to her website, Anderson's Instagram page is full of advice on getting kids to choose healthy foods, including how to incorporate dessert into meals in a healthy way and create balance.
"Let's eat together."
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"Family meals are very successful at improving kids' eating habits," says LeeAnn Smith Weintraub, MPH, RD, and founder of HalfaCup.com, where she offers nutritional advice and counseling. "Family meals provide the opportunity for adults to model healthy eating habits and good table manners to children. Family meals are associated with better nutrition including greater consumption of fruit and vegetables as well as other academic and mental health benefits."
Of course, family meals don't have to mean just dinner. Between work and after-school activities, there isn't a lot of time left during the week for a good old-fashioned family meal at night. If that's the case, try committing to a family meal at breakfast and model the same good, healthy choices in the morning as you would at night.
"Check your belly."
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We've all been there—a little voice from behind tells you they are hungry a few minutes after all the food has been put away. "Parents often struggle with getting young children to eat well at mealtime," says Weintraub. "It's challenging for some kids to sit through meals and eat what's offered to them. Then once the kitchen is cleaned up and food is put away, kids tell their parents they are hungry. Of course, this can be super frustrating for parents and caregivers."
Weintraub says parents can encourage children to eat healthy foods at meals by asking them to check their bellies before they're excused from the table. Asking how much space is left in their stomachs for food will help them learn to assess their own fullness and hunger. She says, "It's best to avoid telling kids to 'eat more' or 'finish what's on their plate,' which teaches kids to eat based on external, not internal, cues."
"It's okay to play with your food."
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Anderson, from Kids Eat in Color, loves to encourage small children to play with their food. "Small children often go through a phase of neophobia, the fear of new things. They become afraid of new foods too, and picky eating is often the result. Food that was out of season over the winter is suddenly 'new' to them! One way that we can help kids learn that foods are okay is by having them play with the food. Take the example of summer squash. Sauteed squash rounds may have been okay last summer, but this summer a toddler may be scared of it. You can ask them at dinner, 'Can you stack your squash?' Many toddlers are happy to try to stack their food. They may not eat it right away, but this is the first step to learning it is safe so that they can try it in the future."
"What food can we grow?"
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"Getting kids involved in gardening can help increase veggie consumption. If you don't have room for a full-on vegetable garden, even encouraging your child to water herbs growing in pots on a windowsill can help your plants and child flourish while teaching a lesson about responsibility. Also, a salad or any other dish may look a lot more attractive to your child if it includes the fresh basil or parsley that they helped to nurture," says Taub-Dix.
For those without a green thumb—here are 12 easy gardening projects to get you started on your healthy-eating journey.
There’s nothing quite like the magic of throwing simple ingredients into a pot and ending up with a delicious and comforting soup. It’s a kind of kitchen magic that never gets old. If you need some inspiration for just such a concoction, we’ve got your back with this hearty tortellini soup recipe from Jen, of How To: Simplify. This comfort soup is sure to warm you up, fill you up, and even sneak some tasty spinach into your picky eater’s bowl.
Ingredients:
32 ounces of chicken stock
1 15-ounce can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 tablespoon of dried basil
1 teaspoon cumin
1-2 dashes of cayenne pepper
Salt and pepper (to taste)
1 9-ounce package of Buitoni Sweet Italian Sausage Tortellini
1 cup fresh spinach
Method:
1. Pour the chicken stock and the entire can of diced tomatoes into a large pot. Add the black beans, basil, cumin, pepper, and salt. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes.
2. Add the tortellini and cook for 8-10 minutes (according to the package instructions).
3. Add the fresh spinach into the pot and cook for an additional minute.
4. Season with salt and pepper (to taste). Serve immediately.
Recipe courtesy Jen at How To: Simplify. By day, Jen is a Senior Account Executive and Project Manager at Mom It Forward. In her spare time, she can be found in her kitchen covered in either flour, sugar, or both. Her philosophy when it comes to cooking and baking is “the more from scratch, the better.” Her aim is to share tips and tricks, as well as simple recipes that require very few ingredients (many of which you probably already have in your kitchen) and only a small amount of prep and cook time. Check out the How To: Simplify blog for more great recipes!
Kid-friendly restaurants in LA that serve decent beer are hard to find. These favorite breweries in LA meet all your needs (and your kids) in one, happy place
Keg stands and sake bombs may be a distant memory (and that’s probably a good thing), but being all grown up doesn’t mean you can’t still cut loose and enjoy a pint or two with the kiddos in tow. Fortunately, Los Angeles has plenty of beer gardens and breweries that are fun for the whole family (think board games, kids menus, and more). Find a new favorite place to go the next time you’re craving a craft beer after a day of exploring the best things to do in LA with kids.
1. Golden Road
A haven for busy families who are looking for a bite to eat, a cold beer, and a place where the kids can be themselves (loud and messy) without anyone batting an eye, Golden Road is the spot to try. It's always packed and the clientele ranges from the t-ball crowd to 20-something birthday parties. Try the giant pretzels with pimento dipping sauce or the fried avocado sandwich.
After you eat, head outside to let the kids play corn hole, foosball, and more, while you finish up the last sips of your craft beer. And heads up, trainspotters: This place is right next to the train tracks, so if you have a Thomas-loving little on your hands, they’ll love seeing the train pass by during dinner.
5410 W San Fernando Rd. Los Angeles Online:goldenroad.la
If you haven’t heard of this hot spot yet, you’ve definitely heard of the brewery behind it. The first, local restaurant from the Firestone Brewery, it’s got the hipster cred and craft brews of a gastropub, with a laid-back sports bar vibe complete with booths (which are made from old fermentation vessels) plus big screens to watch the games. The menu offers a wide selection that includes wood-fire pizzas, burgers, and fish and chips, but the kids will especially love the dessert options, like churros and pie, that will give parents plenty of time for a second round.
Insider Tip: Located just a few blocks from the beach, hit all the trappings of Venice first thing in the morning and then head here when everyone is sufficiently sandy and sunned out.
Originating in Pasadena, this chain has rapidly expanded across LA for good reasons: the food is tasty, the beer selection is awesome, and it's the perfect spot to enjoy it all with kids. From classic corn dogs to the exotic bacon-wrapped street dog, Dog Haus has a brat selection that will please every palate—including those who prefer their meat vegan as they serve the Impossible Burger and Beyond Sausage. While the kids slurp down milkshakes with their hot dogs and fries, parents can unwind over a pint from their rotating selection of craft beers on tap.
All of the locations serve up the same delicious options, but the shaded, outdoor patio and fun collection of board games make the original Pasadena Biergarten the best for brews with tots. Speaking of which, did we mention they have amazing cheesy tater tots the whole family will want to share?
See all those kids in soccer uniforms and t-ball jerseys? This is a popular post-game hang for parents. Discover hard-to-find beers on tap—there’s a list of over three dozen draft beers and even more in bottles. Try local favorites like the rotating El Segundo brew or the Eagle Rock Manifesto. Share a pizza or a basket of cooked-to-order wings with the fam. Kid menu and crayons included. Bonus: You can watch games playing on the big screens while the kids run circles around your table or climb the toddler jungle gym and slide. We told you it was kid-friendly!
Atwater Village is known for its laid-back vibe and family-friendly atmosphere and Link n Hops fits right in. There are dozens of beers on tap, and they change regularly based on season and availability so there’s always something new to try. Let the kids help you choose brats or bangers from the meat counter, then watch as your dogs are grilled to order. Add to that tons of high chairs, a kids' menu that pleases everyone, plus a pretty impressive vegan menu—what more could you want?
Beer and video games. Need we say more? This Echo Park hot spot is kid-friendly until 8 p.m. every day of the week where you can button mash dozen of old-school video games and partake in dozens of brews from the tap, bottles, or cans. And leave your bag of quarters at home—a card system allows you to play video games to your heart's content. The card keeps track of everything for you. We love anything from the Japanese fusion menu, especially the fried tofu balls and the five spice apple fritters.
If you're in the mood for some of the juiciest brats, links, and dogs you’ve ever tasted, head to the German-inspired Wurstküche, purveyor of exotic grilled sausages. Be adventurous with a grilled rattlesnake and rabbit link, but get the old-fashioned brats or vegetarian links for the kiddos. With over 24 imported beers on tap, you’ll be able to find something you like, and trying to find that perfect pint is half the fun. The extra-crispy Belgian fries with homemade dipping sauces are sure to please everyone. Family-style tables are great for crowds.
Insider Tip: Ask the bartender for a cup of crayons and the kids can make masterpieces on the brown paper-covered tables while you wait for food or get lucky enough to enjoy a second round.
There’s a reason Bar 326 remains a staple at the Original Farmer’s Market. It’s a low-key destination where you can grab a drink and plop down at one of the many tables and choose from a variety of food from around the world. With options from local food stalls like The Banana Leaf, The French Crepe Company, Charlie’s Coffee Shop, and more, it’s a picky eater's heaven since no one has to eat at the same place as everyone else.
Since the atmosphere is super casual, bring some board games and stay for a while, or show up on an evening during the weekend to soak in some live music. It's also pet-friendly so you can bring your fur babies too as long as they are on a leash.
NoHo's popular Pitfire is not technically a brewery but it's got a good beer vibe just the same. Go early on a Fri. evening and it's mostly families dining at the beer garden-style tables. While you nurse your drink, kids can run around playing ping pong and cornhole in the fully enclosed space.
It probably goes without saying that parents are always feeling proud of their kids for one reason or another, whether your son finished a difficult reading assignment or your daughter scored her first soccer goal. But just as important as their accomplishment is how you show your kids that feeling of pride. From words of advice to simple acts of kindness, here are 15 great ways parents can show their kids they are proud of them.
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1. Say "I'm proud of you." First and foremost, tell your kiddo you're proud of them when the time arises. You don't have to say this every day, but those words are encouragement are very meaningful to kids when they hear it from mom or dad.
2. Write them a note. Express pride by writing a little note or giving your little one a card or drawing that tells them you're proud of who they are as people or praises them for an accomplishment.
3. Talk about the obstacles. If your kid is struggling with an activity such as soccer or reading, offer support and recognize the obstacles he's facing. At the same time, express your pride that your kiddo is facing those challenges.
4. Share some cookies. Nothing says love and pride like homemade chocolate chip cookies. Bake a batch of cookies and offer one to your son or daughter for being a great kid. Not a baker? Treat your kiddo to a cookie at the bakery counter at the grocery store instead.
5. Say you're proud in front of others. It's one thing if you tell your daughter you're proud of her. It's another when she hears you saying it to grandma or grandpa. Tell others how proud you are when your kids do something worthy of praise.
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6. Don't forget the small stuff. Of course, parents are proud when their son scores a goal or accomplishes a major milestone. But don't forget to show pride and offer words of encouragement when your kiddo does something small, such as help to set the table or read a book to her younger sibling.
7. Read a book to your kid about how you feel. Express pride through a children's book or story. After you finish reading the book, explain to your little one that the pride you feel is just like what the characters in the book feel.
8. Do an activity together. Show your kids how proud you are of them by participating in a family activity together. If your kids have been working on improving their physical activity, sign the family up for a 1-mile fun run and explain that it's a family reward.
9. Hug them.Showing affection is always a good thing. A hug not only expresses love but can also show your little one you're proud of them too.
10. Praise your son/daughter for the things they're working on. Recognize the process itself is an accomplishment. Tell your son you're proud of his work on accomplishing the larger goal still being worked on.
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11. Go to the park, a movie or an outing. If you want something more than words of encouragement, look for an activity to do together as a way to express pride. A trip to the park, movie or museum is a great expression of pride.
12. Tell them you're grateful to be their parent. We're proud of our kids for what they do, but make sure your little one knows you're also proud to be their parent, too.
13. Say "I believe in you." You've told your kiddo you're proud, but what about telling them you also believe in them and have confidence in their choices. That's a point of pride in itself.
14. Praise your kid for the great choices they make. Tell your little ones why you're proud of them by explaining how they've made good choices. Hearing that and the words of encouragement will only motivate them to continue their positive behavior.
15. Give a small gift. You don't want to make it a habit of expressing pride through gift-giving. But perhaps there's a special circumstance when your kid has been working hard on accomplishing a goal. When she reaches the goal, give her a small gift and tell her how proud you are.
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16. Let your kiddo decide what's for dinner. Maybe you have a picky eater at home who just went an entire week eating her veggies. Express your pride in that accomplishment by letting her pick the Friday night dinner.
17. Say "thank you." It's often these words of encouragement and daily conversations with our little ones that the greatest impact. Expressing thanks is just one way to share words of encouragement and pride.
18. Point out the positive in a negative situation. So often, we get too focused on the negative situations that occur every day. For every negative instance, try focusing on something positive your kiddo did and tell him you're proud of that.
19. Don't forget to be proud if they own up to their mistakes. Your son may have accidentally broke an item at home, but he told you what happened. It's okay to be upset about the broken object, but make sure to tell your son you're proud that he told the truth. This will make future confessions easier.
20. Hang the accomplishment on the fridge. If you're proud your kiddo did well on an exam or drew a pretty picture, display it proudly on the refrigerator or bulletin board for family and friends to see.
Meal delivery services and kits can be just the thing to help you and the kids eat healthier, save time, and yes, preserve your sanity. We rounded up NYC meal delivery services of all kinds—vegan and vegetarian, one-dish, just-for-kids, no-prep, foodie-inclined, etc.—and are here to help you decide which meal kit is the best for your busy NYC family. Read on to find your meal delivery match, and dig in!
Blue Apron
Blue Apron has been part of the meal delivery game for a long time and their expertise shows. Choose among two-serving, four-serving, wellness and vegetarian menus to pick the options that are right for you. We love that the meals typically take 40 minutes or less and include kid-friendly ingredients like baked chicken and pasta while exposing kids to different flavors like curry and chile-lime. With super easy-to-follow recipes, you can definitely get the kids involved in the cooking process.
Cost: Meals cost $8.99-9.99/serving with free shipping
CookUnity combines the skill of real chefs, the freshness and quality of locally-sourced ingredients and the convenience of a meal delivery service. Over 50 skilled chefs create more than 250 dishes to choose from each week; examples include Moroccan Chickpea Tagine, with Turmeric Rice, Pan Seared Chicken with Roasted Veggies and Spinach Puree and Poached Salmon with Asparagus, but the options and variety are extremely impressive. Additionally, CookUnity has partnered with nine of NYC’s culinary icons to bring a signature dish to the weekly menu. You can refine your choices to include meals for weight loss, healthier eating and other goals, as well as dietary preferences such as dairy-free, vegan, low-carbs, seafood, paleo, etc. Sign up for as few as four meals a week or as many as 16. Meals are delivered chilled fresh (not frozen) in eco-friendly packaging, and you can pick your delivery day. Choose your meals each week, or set your preferences and let CookUnity do the work.
If your goal is to get a wholesome, easy meal on the table for your family, then Dinnerly is the meal delivery option for you. Each week Dinnerly customers choose from 19 new dinner options and each week there’s a featured dessert. The choices are totally kid-friendly with options like sweet and sour Swedish meatballs, turkey burgers and enchiladas. Each meal has only five prep steps and takes less than 30 minutes to get on the table, perfect for rushed weeknight dinners. Not interested in getting your box this week? No problem! You can skip any time.
There’s basically no prep with Farmer’s Fridge. A variety of salads (examples include Smoked Cheddar Cobb, Southwest, Asian Chopped, North Napa, Buffalo Chicken Ranch) made with truly—and honestly, shockingly—fresh ingredients, come ready to pour into a bowl with well-paired and flavorful dressings. Pasta dishes and grain bowls can be eaten hot or cold and snacks like Dark Chocolate Trail Mix and Cookie Dough Bites were gobbled up by both the kids and adults in the house. Farmer’s Fridge recently debuted a new dish from award-winning chef Mike Solomonov that helps raise money for Broad Street Ministry, a non-profit that raises money for Philadelphia’s homeless, and introduced a back-to-school collection to help busy parents pack lunches—or prepare for a return to the office. Bonus: the packaging is really nice and reusable.
Cost: Generous salads start at $8; plates are $9.95; snacks are $2.50 to $4.00, and you can even order an additional protein (grilled chicken, falafel bites) to add to a dish for $2.50.
Putting together dinner with Gobble literally takes just 15 minutes, as every ingredient is prepped and portioned for a one-pan meal. Busy families will also appreciate the "Sunday meal prep" option where you’re shipped all you need to prep grab-and-go lunches for the rest of the week in 90 minutes. Gobble will appeal to parents who have zero time to get dinner on the table; meals created considering dietary preferences such as vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free are also available. Sample dishes include Pan-Seared Sirloin Steak with Roasted Fingerling Potatoes & Béarnaise Sauce or Crispy Chicken Sandwich & Napa Cabbage Slaw with Caraway Vinaigrette.
Cost: Prices start at $11.99 per serving, plus $6.99 for shipping.
Freshly is a weekly subscription service delivering fresh (not frozen), chef-cooked meals that can be heated and served in three minutes. Unlike meal kits, all you need is a microwave, fork and plate to get a satisfying lunch or dinner on the table. Think “nutritionist-meets-personal-chef” vs. TV dinner when it comes to quality and flavor.
With a food philosophy centered on less sugar, less processed and more nutrients, the menu features better-for-you versions of comfort foods with smart ingredient swaps. In addition, Freshly just launched its first-ever 100% plant-based menu––Purely Plant––featuring six new meals made with whole food ingredients. In June, Freshly also launched multi-serve proteins and sides that are designed to be mixed and matched to simplify meal prep and used for ‘half-scratch’ cooking.
Cost: Customers can order 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 meals. Pricing starts at $8.49/meal
Healthy eating at home is the name of the game with Green Chef. Choose from three plans: Keto + Paleo, Balanced Living and Plant-Powered. Set up your deliveries to come weekly or less frequently if you prefer. Menus change every week and you'll enjoy options like Steak & Cheddar Melts, Salmon with Creamy Chimichurri, and Creamy Baked Penne Pasta.
The goal of HelloFresh is to bring the fun of cooking back into people’s lives by doing all the planning, portioning and shopping for in-season, sustainably sourced, healthy and flavorful ingredients. HelloFresh prides itself on its delicious recipes with quick cook times; all your chopping, zesting and sautéeing will take less than 30 minutes. Family-friendly meals include Tomato Tortellini Bake, Ginger Plum Chicken and Pork Chops with Apple Rosemary Pan Sauce. We tried the Sausage and Spring Pea Risotto with lemon and parmesan. It was quite tasty, and prep amounted to mincing some shallots and quartering a lemon.
Cost: Opt for two to three meals per week from the Classic, Vegetarian or Family plans (which serve four people). Expect to spend about $10.75 per person per meal or $59 per week. Delivery is free.
Home Chef meal kits offer fresh, pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes delivered weekly. With a variety 19 different recipes that rotate on a weekly basis, most recipes include a "Customize It" option to accommodate any dietary needs or preferences. Skip a week any time you'd like, the meals are convenient and kid-friendly. The 15-minute meal kits include options like Honey Garlic Chicken with Broccoli and Carrots, or Steak and Garlic Thyme Butter with balsamic Brussels Sprouts and Parmesan Twists. Home Chef has expanded its ‘Extras’ offerings to include ready-to-heat pizzas, all-in-one salad kits and a la carte protein packs such as skin-on salmon fillets, boneless chicken breasts and New York strip steak.
A meal service just for kids, Little Spoon offers organic baby food, kid’s meals, vitamins and natural remedies with no preservatives, no extreme heat processing, no GMOs and no additives. Baby purees include single blends and more complex combos (Broccoli Pineapple Banana Hemp is a bestseller) and meals for bigger kids are healthy heat-and-serve takes on faves like mac and cheese, potstickers and chicken nuggets, with lots of vegetarian options as well.
Cost: Purees are $3 or less and meals are $5 or less.
Thanks to easy-to-follow instructions, even a beginning cook can figure out how to put together Martha Stewart-approved meals with lots of locally sourced items. But, expect to spend at least 45 minutes doing it. The meals taste great, the menu changes weekly and there are 29 recipes available per week—some are even specifically ‘kid-friendly.’ Don’t keep much in the pantry? No problem. Order a grilled chicken Caesar salad and you’ll receive everything you need to make it, except salt, pepper and olive oil. One downside: it's a lot of packaging.
Cost: A family kit feeds four adults and the per portion price ranges from $8.49 to $11.99, depending on the plan you choose (the more dishes the lower the price) plus shipping of $8.99.
Started by two busy NYC professionals who wanted to eat a plant-rich, healthy diet that was also affordable, Mosaic offers frozen veggie bowls, oat bowls and soups made with fresh, whole food ingredients. Meals are ready in under five minutes, contain 10 to 20 grams of plant protein and many are also vegan. Dishes include roasted garlic cauliflower soup, yellow dal curry bowl, vegetarian sausage and gouda oat bowl, and peanut tofu bowl. Opt for Mosaic+ for bowls created by popular chefs. Choose from eight dishes once a week, every two weeks, or every four weeks.
Cost: Veggie bowls are $8.99, oat bowls are $7.99 and soups are $4.99. Mosaic+, $10.99. Minimum order $70; free shipping after $100.
Nurture Life makes delicious, healthy meals for babies, toddlers and kids. Each kid-friendly meal is nutritionally balanced, made with real, clean ingredients and is always packed with protein and veggies. Their meals are ready in one minute and are delivered straight to your door. We tried dishes for toddlers and loved the Cauliflower Mac and Cheese and the Chicken Biryani; Nurture Life also highlights ‘Picky Eater Faves’ such as the brand’s chicken meatballs with spiral pasta and veggies. In addition to tasting good, every meal is nutritionist-approved, and comes with facts about the healthful aspects of each meal.
Cost: Finger foods are $6.89/serving; Kids Meals start at $7.99, and school-safe snacks are $7.99.
Feeling a bit...sluggish? If you are looking for a health reset for yourself, check out Provenance. Provenance provides clean, nutrient-dense meals that only require you to heat and eat—no cooking needed. All meals are gluten-, dairy- and refined sugar-free. In addition to meals, you can opt for a system reset with the Feel Good Fix—a three-day program of healing foods and revitalizing beverages to flush pro-inflammatory toxins and reboot the body’s systems.
Cost: No subscription is required. Daily Essential meals are $12-29; the Feel Good Fix is $178.
Purple Carrot delivers plant-forward meals for vegans, vegetarians and flexetarians, and you can choose to receive meal kits or pre-prepared meals. Meal categories include Quick & Easy, High-Protein, Gluten-Free or Chef’s Choice dinners and all meals are meat-free. You can add on breakfast, lunch and snack items to get you through the week. Skip or cancel delivery at any time.
Cost: Plans start at $9.99/serving for meal kits and $11.99/serving for pre-prepared meals.
Looking for a meal delivery kit with 100% plant-based, organic, non-GMO, chef-prepared entrees, soups, and juices? Check out Veestro.
There are no animal products of any kind, here—ever! Chick'n Nuggets with chipotle dipping sauce complete with veganaise will do the trick every time for your kiddos and no one will miss the meat. Veestro food is available a la carte, in full-on Meal Packs, and they also carry a surprisingly delicious weight loss menu plan. As with most vegetarian cuisine: many meals have nuts in them, but all meals are completely dairy-free and don't contain other allergens.
Cost: Starting at $9.90/serving, free shipping on auto-delivery options
It kind of doesn't get any easier than this. Yumble sends you four, six, eight, 10, 12 or 16 meals a week, which stay fresh in the fridge for a full seven days. The menu includes healthier versions of meals kids love—organic chicken nuggets with organic broccoli, hidden veggie mac-n-cheese, handmade fun-to-eat pockets filled with pizza or taco meat and now a whole line of ready to eat lunches that can be packed in seconds for school. Each delivery comes with something enjoyable for the kids that make mealtime easier for parents—fun utensils, a lunchbox, placemat and cards with playful conversation starters!
Cost: $6.99 per meal. Note: This is a weekly subscription service
You always hear about doing random acts of kindness for strangers. But sometimes those little acts can have a big impact on our own kids too. There are lots of ways you can make time for kids that really won’t cost you much in terms of effort, but will go a long way in your little one’s day. In the spirit of positive parenting, here are 27 little gestures that make kids feel really important.
1. Host a Yes Day. Ice cream for dinner? Yes! An impromptu trip to the park? Sure! Imagine the joy your kids will feel when you say "yes" to everything! Inspired by the Yes Day book, this post has all the details you need to say "yes" all day long.
2. Color together. Grab a blank stack of paper, a pack of crayons and your imagination and start drawing. Spend time with your kids drawing pictures together, and then hang your art throughout the house to remind you of the special time together.
3. Show appreciation and say "thank you." Everyday life can get tough, and sometimes we forget to appreciate the little things our kids do for us. Make an effort to thank them for even the smallest things. Did your kiddo do a great job getting ready for bed? Tell her how much you appreciate it. It may seem little to you, but it will mean the world to her.
4. Don't say anything when your kids dress themselves "creatively." Left on their own, many kids will dress themselves in mismatched outfits and funky shoes. Why not let them have a day where you go with the flow? Maybe even tell them how much you love their outfit!
5. Had a fight with your partner? Make sure your kids see you apologize and make up.
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6. Spend time outside together. Turn off the screens and step outdoors for family fun. We're not talking about major camping trips or outdoor adventures. Little things like going for a family walk, a trip to the park, or having a snowball fight will make your kids feel happy to be with you.
7. Share words of affection. Make sure you tell your kids you love them, or how you're proud of them for simply being a good kid. Words can be powerful, and your kids will remember what you say.
8. Have a tea party. Get those pinkies up, make finger sandwiches, brew some tea (or juice boxes) and put on a fancy hat for fun.
9. Give them extra time before bedtime. Does your kid constantly ask to push her bedtime? Surprise her one night by letting her have an extra 20-30 minutes before snoozing.
10. Help your kid be brave. Let them express themselves fully and read a few books about bravery. Give your kiddos the tools they need to express self-confidence. These small efforts will go a long way in instilling confidence in even the youngest of tykes.
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11. Eat a family meal together. It's okay if a family dinner isn't your thing. How about family breakfast, or lunch on the weekends? Whatever works for your family, make an effort to have a special meal together.
12. Wear the handmade jewelry item they made you. Remember that macaroni necklace your son made you? Take it out of the drawer and wear it for a day.
13. Tell them a story about what they were like as babies. Remind them about the first time they smiled, their first word, or the first time they walked.
14. Let them know it's okay to quit. If your kiddo has been miserable playing soccer or attempting a new skill, give them permission to move on and leave the unhappy activity behind.
15. Play a game. Get out a deck or card and play Go Fish, or gather around the table to play a board game.
16. Watch the sunrise or sunset together. It only lasts a few brief moments, but sometimes that's all you need to make a big impression on your kid.
17. Help them clean their room. We're always telling our kids to pick up their stuff and clean up. When you have a bit more time to give, make a point to do the clean-up work together.
18. Have an impromptu dance party. This can be as simple as putting on a few songs and dancing in the living room. No fancy equipment. Just some music and a willingness to move.
19. Let your kid pick the dinner menu. This little gesture can make your kids feel really important, especially if you have a picky eater in the house. Need meal inspirations? We've got you covered with these cookbook recommendations.
20. Play video games with them. While the idea of playing Minecraft or Roblox is probably not your idea of fun, the opposite is most certainly true for your young gamer. How much would they love it if you took some time to play alongside them?
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21. Learn something new together. Have you always wanted to make a pie? Do it with your kiddo! Does your little one want to learn a new dance move? Get your rhythm on together. Working together to achieve a goal will strengthen your bond and show your kiddos you care about their efforts.
22. Read together. Grab a book and snuggle up on the couch together and read. Whether your kiddo is small and needs you to read aloud or you've got a young reader who prefers their own book, take a few minutes to bond over books. Your kids will remember this time together.
23. Have a pajama day. While it's great to get outside, there's nothing wrong with having a day indoors that focuses on indoor play, movies, books and stay in pajamas all day.
24. Print photos and make an album for your kids. We have thousands of photos, but they exist virtually. Print out a handful of photos and create a small album for your little one to flip through. They will love this simple act of kindness.
25. Write a note of encouragement. This can be as simple as "I love you and thanks for being a great kid." Slip the note in their lunch box. Tape it to the mirror, or leave it on your kiddo's pillow.
26. Take a walk on a rainy day and splash in ALL the puddles. Letting out your inner four-year-old will show your kids that you're not afraid to get silly too.
27. Pick a summer anthem. If you and your kids have a theme song for summer, you'll be able to sing together every time you put it on.
