Let’s Gogh! Drop-In Art Classes for Creative Kids

by rtcarolynrossFebruary 5, 2020

Everybody young and old has an inner artist just waiting to come out and the Washington, DC area has no dearth of outlets for you and your family to channel that creative energy together. Catering to art makers of every age, institutions like the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn and galleries such as the Phillips Collection or Strathmore Mansion are ready with educator-led opportunities for all ages—from the pre-school Picassos and Pollocks to the elementary-aged art historians. Scroll on for the best places to paint, draw and craft in the DMV.

photo: Strathmore

All Ages

Moonshot Studio
Located in The Reach, the Kennedy Center’s new space on the Potomac River, Moonshot Studio offers creative family getaways where everything is left to the imagination. Boasting activities suited for all-age ranges from the Mo Willems fan to music studio mixmasters, current projects at Moonshot focus on drawing, poetry, and rhythm. The best part? All activities are free!

2700 F St. NW
Foggy Bottom
(202) 467-4600
Online: kennedy-center.org/reach/moonshot-studio

ImaginAsia Workshop
Designed with family time in mind, the ImaginAsia workshops at the Smithsonian’s Freer and Sackler Galleries are often exhibition or holiday-themed and engaging for all age-ranges. Free, drop-in art studio workshops are available on select weekends and families with older children should keep an eye out for special tween workshops and arts-packed family festivals too.

1050 Independence Ave. SW
National Mall
202) 633-1000
Online: asia.si.edu

Thomas Jefferson Community Art Studio
Make doing the dishes a family affair with the Arlington County Parks and Rec Paint-a-Plate studio. Open to all-ages, drop-in sessions take place both on Mondays in the morning and afternoon, and on Saturday afternoons at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center (TJ) Art Studio. A standard selection of plates, bowls and mugs all priced at $18 each, decorating supplies included, are available to paint. Finished pieces are available for pick up in one week.

3501 2nd St S
Arlington, VA
(703) 228-5918
Online: parks.arlingtonva.us/programs/art/paint-a-plate

photo: Hirshhorn Museum

Preschoolers

Imagination Stage
Let loose and take time with your toddler to express yourselves through dramatic play activities, music, movement, and visual art each weekend at Imagination Stage’s Sunday Fun-day program. Sessions are based on favorite children’s books like Are You My Mother and Paper Bag Princess, and feature a special take-home item used or created that day, as well as a Parent Pack to extend the experience at home.Tickets are $8/person and can be reserved online.

4908 Auburn Ave.
Bethesda, MD
301-280-1660
Onine: imaginationstage.org

Kreeger Museum
Do not miss the chance to tour the Kreeger Museum private estate collection complete with sculpture garden, and dedicated it turns out to instilling a passion for the arts in even the littlest of patrons. Every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month, the Kreeger hosts First Studio and Storytime for children ages 3-5, an opportunity to explore the paintings, sculpture, and architecture of this contemporary art oasis.
Online: Kreeger Museum First Studio. Tickets to this event are $10.

2401 Foxhall Rd. NW
Berkley
(202) 337-3050
Online: kreegermuseum.org

Hirshhorn Museum
The first Saturday of every month, Hirshhorn Museum Maker Mornings get families rising and shining through interactive hands-on activities. Introducing a new topic and a completely new way to think about art each month, the line-up includes themes like Color of Love, Transformation, and Rainbows and Radicals. If the literary arts are your thing, the museum also offers an inspiring storytime every Wednesday and Sunday morning geared more to the littles. Hirshhorn programming is always free.

Independence Ave SW &, 7th St SW
National Mall
202-633-1000
Online: hirshhorn.si.edu

The Music Center at Strathmore
Totally toddler BSO Music Box is a popular classical music look-in for families now hosted by AMP by Strathmore where members of the visiting Baltimore Symphony Orchestra bring their signature young aficionado event to Rockville for an instrument petting zoo extraordinaire, featuring time to meet and greet the musicians and music related activities, followed by a 30 minute concert. General admission is $12.

5301 Tuckerman Ln.
North Bethesda, MD
(301) 581-5100
Online: strathmore.org

photo: The Phillips Collection

Elementary Aged and Tweens Too

The Phillips Collection
The Phillips Collection hosts major international exhibits, but also supports its mission of enriching the DC area arts scene, attracting patrons young and old with concerts and events such as Jazz n’ Family Fun Days in conjunction with DC Jazz Fest. Join them now as do the guests in Renoir’s painting The Boating Party, a highlight of the collection, every first Saturday of the month for Family Playdates. Geared to children ages four to eight, these thirty-minute gallery experiences are guided by a professional educator. Family-friendly events are included with admission.

1600 21st St NW
Dupont Circle
202-387-2151
Online: phillipscollection.org/

Strathmore Mansion
Strathmore Art Talks and Tours at the elegant Strathmore Mansion are reserved for children ages 5 & up who might enjoy a more sophisticated learning experience without little brother or sister, but who also benefit from an interactive activity to keep them engaged. This talks are free, but prior registration is encouraged. Bonus: These tours are offered for each new exhibition at the mansion and are bilingual, in English and Spanish.

5301 Tuckerman Ln.
North Bethesda, MD
(301) 581-5100
Online: strathmore.org

National Portrait Gallery Museum
The ultimate slumber party experience mixing arts and history, a sleepover at the National Portrait Gallery, the off-the-Mall museum is where Instagram might just meet its match. Here, there are paintings and stories of and about people kids will find inspiring as they take on role of artist, art critic and storyteller to learn more about some of the poets and presidents, visionaries and villains, actors and activists who have shaped history. Ages 10 – 14.

8th St NW & F St NW
National Mall
(202) 633-8300
Online: npg.si.edu

Gadsby’s Tavern
Gadsby’s Tavern in Old Town Alexandria offers mini-historians a chance to become immersed in 18th century lore, and maybe a little ballroom dance? February’s George Washington Birthright Banquet and Ball is just one of several period dance events throughout the year when special lessons are offered, along with girl scout badge earning opportunities, and a unique volunteer opportunity for fourth through eighth graders who may train as Gadsby’s Junior Docents serving on Family Days and at other special events.

134 N Royal St.
Alexandria, VA
703-746-4242
Online: gadsbytavernrestaurant.com

—Carolyn Ross

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Knock-Knock: 7 Historic Homes Kids Find Cool

by rtcarolynrossMarch 30, 2017

If you’ve lived in the D.C. metro area for two seconds, your family has probably dropped in on one or both of the most visited historic homes in the country–George Washington’s Mount Vernon, the original abode of the first President, and Pennsylvania Avenue’s The White House, the home of every U.S. President since. Dig a little deeper by exploring the DMV homes and getting an up close look at some of lesser known (but just as significant) figures in history. These tours are super family friendly, featuring everything from a living history demonstrations and an oratorical contest just for kids.

Photo: Frederick Douglass National Historic Site

Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
It took two generations to establish and restore this spot as a National Historic Site. Cedar Hill, the Northeast D.C. home where escaped slave turned preeminent orator and scholar, Frederick Douglass, lived his final years. Now serving as an educational center, Cedar Hill runs tours, and sponsors a children’s oratorical contest every December for kids in grades one through twelve. Other family-friendly events are offered throughout the year, including Douglass’s birthday celebration and a ceremony acknowledging the launch of a Frederick Douglass quarter by the U.S. Mint on April 4.

1411 W St., SE (Anacostia)
Online: nps.gov

Photo: NCinDC via Flickr

Gadsby’s Tavern
The City of Alexandria, Virginia is a history buff’s dream hang-out, and a visit to the town’s historic Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, known also as a modern day restaurant, is one of the best examples of finding the past in the present. Serving up everything from period food to period dancing, Gadsby’s also hosts 18th Century birthday parties, and offers a unique opportunity to students in grades four to six to act as volunteer junior docents; they’ll don period garb, give summertime tours on Sundays, and participate in special events. Click here for more information and to apply. The deadline is April 27!

134 N. Royal St. (Alexandria, Va)
Online: alexandriava.gov

Photo: Gunston Hall

Gunston Hall
The former digs of Colonial Statesman George Mason, Gunston Hall offers an array of family friendly programs in Mason Neck, Virginia, where the town’s namesake served as the State’s first governor. April marks the start of the museum’s living history programs in which kids age 8 to 14 volunteer as Young Historic Interpreters. Get set also for an annual Kite Festival on April 1, and Summer Saturdays beginning in June all the way through August, featuring costumed interpreters and interactive programming just for kids and families.

10709 Gunston Rd. (Mason Neck, Va)
Online: gunstonhall.org

Photo: Hillwood Museum

Hillwood Museum and Gardens
Learn about cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather-Post, her incredible Russian and French decorative art collections, and not to mention her gardens where young garden party-goers are welcome throughout the year, particularly for elegant Family Fun Days appropriate for the season. April features the Fabergé Egg Festival and new in May is a Family Movie Night. Opportunities to tour the house with your toddler are also available as part of the Preschool Series.

4155 Linnean Ave., NW (Van Ness/UDC)
Online: hillwoodmuseum.org

Photo: Lincoln Cottage

President Lincoln’s Cottage
Washington had Mount Vernon, and Jefferson Monticello, but Honest Abe had a more local escape from what he called the “iron cage” of the White House, though because of its proximity to a home for war wounded, Lincoln did not always find respite there. Now a museum, the Cottage offers regular tours, lectures, and a Family Day in September that makes use of the full grounds with Civil War encampments, and other activities. Museum staff also host teacher workshops and school group programs, in addition to Students Opposing Slavery, a worldwide program engaging teenagers around the issue of human trafficking.

140 Rock Creek Church Rd., NW (Petworth)
Online: lincolncottage.org
Photo: Outlands

Oatlands
The Oatlands, once ran as a plantation in rural Leesburg, now works to educate visitors of all ages about all aspects of the historic home, and activities of its inhabitants, including what was believed to be up to 133 enslaved people just before the Civil War. See the Oatlands Special Events page, including a schedule of themed Afternoon Teas (think: Mother’s Day), a Strawberry Festival on May 21, and a special World War I and II weekend in July featuring children’s activities. Unique Summer camps for kids in grades three through eight, and even a paranomal investigations tour of the house are also part of the fun.

20850 Oatlands Plantation Ln. (Leesburg, Va)
Online: oatlands.org

Photo: Tudor Place

Tudor Place
First opened to the public in 1983, this once Presidential granddaughter-owned estate in Georgetown is a landmark of urban conservation with over 400 trees on the property–several believed to have been planted by the original proprietors. Tudor Place offers year round tours and programming for Tudor Tots through school-aged kids, along with special events like Eggstravaganza or the Father’s Day Kite Flight on June 18. Enjoy a special once a year only free day at Tudor Place, the Annual Earthday Plant Sale and Picnic on April 29.

1644 34th St., NW (Georgetown)
Online: tudorplace.org

Have you visited any of these historic homes? Tell us about it in the comments section below.

–Carolyn Ross

Ice, Ice Baby: 6 Outdoor Spots to Slice the Ice

by Tinybeans TeamDecember 11, 2016

Ice skating is a lot like parenting. You may not know all the tricks, but if you take a deep breath and hold your head high, you can convince your kiddos you know exactly what you’re doing. And luckily for us, Atlanta has some awesome outdoor rinks that are perfect for the entire family to enjoy. Read on for our picks of the most impressive ice in town.

Photo: Centennial Olympic Park via Facebook

Centennial Olympic Park
This Atlanta ice skating tradition returns for another year under the thousands of twinkling lights in Centennial Park’s holiday display. Lace up under the big top for all-weather skating, and thrill the kids with dinner at the rink’s concessions, featuring carnival favorites including funnel cakes, fried PB&J, and corndogs, as well as holiday treats such as hot chocolate and apple cider.

Admission is $12.00 per person for a 90-minute session (includes skate rental). Open through Jan. 8 weekdays from 4:30 to 10 p.m., Fri. from 4:30 to 11 p.m., Sat. from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Check website for holiday hours.

265 Park Ave W NW
Atlanta, Ga
404-223-4412
Online: centennialpark.com

Photo: Shelley Massey

The Astor Holiday Ice Skating Rink, St. Regis
Skate in style on the rooftop rink of The St. Regis Atlanta under a canopy of lights, and enjoy rink side hot chocolate, cider, s’mores, and craft cocktails. Admission to skate sessions are limited (which keeps the crowds under control), but reservations are a must.

Admission is $30 per hour for adults & $18 per hour for children under 16 plus tax and 22% service charge. Reservations are recommended through the St. Regis Atlanta Holiday Desk at 404-563-7797. Open through Jan. 1 Thurs.-Fri. from 12 to 8 p.m. and Sat. & Sun. from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Check website for holiday hours.

88 W Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta, Ga
404-563-7900
Online: stregisatlanta.com

Photo: Park Tavern

Park Tavern at Piedmont Park
This winter staple in Atlanta offers enjoyment on the ice long after most outdoor rinks have closed. The Park Tavern’s Southwest Rink also offers ice skating lessons (ages 3 and older) for anyone “frost bitten” by the ice skating bug.

All-day skate admission is $15 to $20 for all ages until 8 p.m. Parking is $3 on weekdays and $5 on weekends. Open to all ages Mon.-Fri. from 4:30-8 p.m. and Sat. & Sun. from 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m.

500 10th St NE
Atlanta, Ga
404-249-0001
Online: parktavern.com

Photo: Atlantic Station via Facebook

Atlantic Station
If it’s not on your list for your visit to Santa, a walk through the German holiday festival, or for a ride on the holiday train, add it to your holiday destinations for the open-air ice skating rink. Atlanta’s largest open-air skating rink is also nestled among the shops of Atlantic Station in case you need a little retail therapy in between triple axles.

Admission is $13 for adults and $10 for ages 12 and under. Open through Feb. 19 Mon.-Thurs. from 4-10 p.m., Fri. & Sat. from 12-11 p.m., and Sun. from 12-9 p.m. Check website for holiday hours.

1380 Atlantic Drive
Atlanta, Ga
404-410-4010
Online: atlanticstation.com

Photo: Historic Marietta Square via Facebook

Marietta Square
Head to the Marietta Square for a taste of small town winter wonderland, complete with open-air ice skating under twinkling lights, Santa’s Workshop, a multi-story Christmas tree, and holiday entertainment.

Admission is $12 and includes skate rental. Open beyond New Years Day, but hours vary based on school calendar and holiday schedule. Check website for daily hours.

50 N. Park Sq.
Marietta, Ga
Online: mariettasquare.com

Photo: Avalon via Facebook

Avalon
During the holiday season, Alpharetta’s newest development will turn The Plaza into an ice-skating rink the size of Rockefeller Center. Get there early to check out several of ITP’s favorite chefs’ newest ventures OTP, and to let the kids run around in the indoor/ outdoor squirrel themed play area.

Admission is $18 for adults and $12 for ages 12 and under, and includes skates. Open through Jan. 22 Mon.-Fri. from 3-10 p.m., Sat. from 10 a.m.-10 p.m., and Sun. from 12-7 p.m. Check website for holiday hours.

2200 Avalon Boulevard
Alpharetta, GA
770-765-2000
Online: experienceavalon.com

Where will you slice the ice this year? Tell us below!

—Shelley Massey

Your Ultimate Day Trip Guide to Carlsbad

by Lenya McGrathFebruary 24, 2016

When’s the last time you took a jaunt up the coast to see what’s in store in Carlsbad? If you want a fun day around town, grab the kiddos, hop in the car and see what’s waiting for you in this North County coastal neighborhood. Carlsbad has a mix of beautiful nature, great dining, fun-loving sports, cool culture and some SoCal attitude. We’ve scouted out the best spots and put together your hour-by-hour guide to the ultimate day trip in Carlsbad.

Photo: Ricardo via Flickr Creative Commons

10 a.m. – A Visit to San Diego Lagoon
Start the day off with a healthy dose of sunshine and water at the San Diego Lagoon. With just over 400 acres, this is Mother Nature’s water park. You’ll find a shore front that’s great for the kids to frolic around. If you want to be more active, take advantage of the volleyball net set up along the nature strip. If getting in the water is your thing, check out the rental shop and get involved in tubing, wake boarding kayaking or paddle boarding. The staff at the shop are very willing to help with equipment guidance and how to’s. While you’re at the rental shop, pick up a snack, drink or even have a play on the ping pong table. There are limited restrooms at the lagoon, so plan your bathroom breaks accordingly and perhaps bring some extra water to rinse off. Parking is available at a small lot, or check out parking on street at Cannon Road or Bayview Drive.

4215 Harrison St.
Carlsbad, Ca 92008
760-434-3089
Online: carlsbadlagoon.com

Photo: Christina Cross

11.30 a.m. – Get Musical at the Museum of Making Music
Hidden within a non-descriptive office building you’ll find the magical musical emporium that is the Museum of Making Music. Kids will learn a thing or two about the history of American popular music from the swing ear to the Beatles and modern sounds. Musical instruments from saxophones, harps, harmonicas, keyboards and electric guitars cover the walls while exhibits like the power of bass and musical innovations leave everyone with a spring in their step. Speaking of leaving, be sure to allow plenty of time for the kids to get hands-on and make some music of their own. A jam session is definitely in order with keyboards, drum machines and bongos, just to name a few. The museum does get loud, so if your mini Mozart prefer a quieter environment, check out Tuesday and Thursday afternoons after 2.30 pm. Entry is $8 for adults and $5 for kiddos, and keep in mind the museum is closed on Mondays.

5790 Armada Dr.
Carlsbad, Ca 92008
760-438-5996
Online: museumofmakingmusic.org

Photo: Green Dragon Tavern and Museum Facebook Page

1 p.m. – Lunch at the Green Dragon Tavern and Museum
With tummies starting to grumble, it’s time to think about lunch. Located five minutes south of Carlsbad Village, the Green Tavern and Museum makes for a perfect family lunch spot. Housed in a replica of the Boston’s original Green Dragon Tavern (where history buffs will note that Sam Adams, Paul Revere and other founders met to plan the Boston Tea Party and American Revolution). This place is huge, so save time to visit their dine-in restaurant for a spot of lunch with New England fare like burgers, lobster rolls, BBQ chicken flat breads and a mean set of pretzel bread dippers. Then leave a bit of time and check out their museum, book shop or grounds. Parking is free and plentiful.

6115 Paseo Del Norte
Carlsbad, Ca 92011
760-918-2421
Online: greendragontavernca.com

Photo: Fanklin Lopez via Flickr Creative Commons

2.30 p.m. – Take in a Carlsbad Gem at the Leo Carillo Ranch
Walk off lunch by checking out Carlsbad’s historic national landmark, the Leo Carrillo Ranch. Hidden away past Palomar Airport, this 27-acre historic park is the former working ranch and home of 1950’s actor Leo Carrillo. You’ll be transported away from modern day life with antique windmills, early California architecture, huge trees on expansive grounds and shimmering peacocks that roam around the ranch. Guided walking tours of the building exteriors and park grounds are available on the weekends for a fee or check out the free self-guided tour brochures if you’d rather do it yourself. Check out the visitors center to learn a little more history at the park, and grab a bathroom break if you need it. Make sure you bring your own food and snacks to the ranch to enjoy on their plentiful picnic tables.

6200 Flying Leo Carillo Ln.
Carlsbad, Ca 92009
760-476-1042
Online: carlsbadca.gov/services

Photo: Mfnure31 via Flickr Creative Commons

4 p.m. – Stroll Around Carlsbad Village
Covering several blocks along Carlsbad Boulevard, Carlsbad Village Drive, Grand Avenue, State Street and Roosevelt Street, Carlsbad Village is a downtown district with a small town feel. Tree-lined streets where sunshine beams down on pretty boutiques and eateries make this the perfect place to stroll around and window shop. Check out the New Village Fair for a nice range of specialty shops. The kids will love Lollies and Jollies with candy, toys and kids clothing. When shopping’s over, grab an organic juice at Choice Superfood Bar and Juicery on the corner of Carlsbad Village Drive and State Street. They make several healthy juices (and sweet treats) all housed in an outdoor courtyard perfect for letting the kids run around and draw a masterpiece on the over-sized community chalk board.

Photo: Bryce Bradford via Flickr Creative Commons

5.30 p.m. – Watch the Sunset at Carlsbad Beach
As the day comes to an end, there’s no better way to say farewell to Carlsbad than taking in a sunset at the beach. Head west on Carlsbad Village Drive and you’ll hit the sands of Carlsbad State Beach. There is plenty of sandy shoreline to take a seat on while you watch mother nature do her work. Or if you’d rather stay active, there are some plenty of walkways sitting up on the cliffs for a leisurely stroll. Parking can be a mixed bag of on street and small beach lots, so if it’s looking busy perhaps leave your car in Carlsbad Village and head out on foot. There are public restrooms at the beach as well.

What’s your favorite thing to do in Carlsbad? Let us know in the comments below!

– Lenya McGrath

A Day at the National Museum of the Marine Corps

by rtjamybondOctober 27, 2015

Have a wanna-be-soldier on your hands? Give kiddo an inside look at what it means to be a Marine at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. The museum offers a fascinating look into the life of a Marine from the initial bus ride to the training depot and that iconic Marine haircut, to the experience of a combat mission over land, sea and air.

Photo: Roland Turner via Flickr

What You’ll See
In addition to the life of a recruit in training, the museum’s permanent exhibit lets you get up-close-and-personal with history’s most important combat missions from The American Revolution, where Marines sailed on Navy ships, to the Barbary Wars off the coast of Africa, to the war of 1812, and on up to the present day Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. You will truly see what it means to be “First to fight,” by exploring the Corps’ commitment to readiness and response.

Photo: Ron Cogswell via Flickr

Stick Around
Plan to spend the entire day here because your little one will not be able to turn away from some of the fascinating details featured, including the evolution of military weapons, uniforms, vehicles, and technology. Note: Some of the exhibits are graphic and depict real-life situations of combat, so if you’d like to skip these parts, speak with a Museum Docent at the Information Desk when you first arrive and they’ll map out a plan to suit your needs.

Photo: Joe Loong via Flickr

Where to Eat
There are a couple of good eating options inside the museum. Devil Dog Diner on the second deck is a cafeteria-style restaurant with homemade soups, fresh pizza, hot sandwiches and a salad bar. There’s also the Tun Tavern Restaurant which mirrors a Colonial era tavern and offers a full lunch menu (along with alcoholic beverages).

Cut to the Chase
The museum will close from January 2016 through March 2016 for renovations, so get there sometime between now and the holidays.Then go back for a second visit next spring.

18900 Jefferson Davis Hwy (Triangle, Va)
877-635-1775
Open: 9 am-5 pm
Cost: Free
Online: usmcmuseum.com

Have you checked out this museum yet? Tell us about it in the comments section below.

–Jamy Bond

6 New Restaurants You Gotta Take the Kids To

by Matt KirouacAugust 4, 2015

Considering all of the restaurants popping up in and around Chicago this summer, ice cream isn’t the only thing your kids will be screaming for. While we have a new retro soda fountain shop to go wild for, there’s also barbecue, kid-friendly salads, teriyaki … and more barbecue. Your next family dinner date starts now.

photo: Piggyback Tavern

Piggyback Tavern
Summer is the season for barbecue. Which would explain all the new ‘cue spots popping up around here. Forest Park’s much-loved Piggyback Tavern is one, and it’s expanding to the Loop. The new Piggyback is a fast-casual riff of the original, showcasing the slow-cooked, hardwood-smoked meats it’s known for in a comfortable, quick-service environment. Kids and adults alike can go wild customizing their barbecue dishes for lunch. Options include pulled pork and brisket in the form of sandwich, bowl, plate or salad, bedecked with optional sauces like Zesty, Mustard or Smokey Sweet. For sides, there’s jalapeño cheddar cornbread, mac ’n’ cheese and collard greens. Another nice touch here is the barnyard motif, bringing a welcome taste of the countryside to the heart of the city via wood tables, barn wood walls, vintage lighting and pig-inspired artwork. Get ready to pig out!

176 N. Wells St.
The Loop
Online: piggybacktavern.com

Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill
Piggyback isn’t the only meat Mecca in expansion mode these days. Orlando-based Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill made its Chicagoland debut in Mount Prospect’s Randhurst Village, marking the company’s 66th location in the country. The new location showcases the hand-rubbed, house-smoked dishes the company has built an empire out of, so you can rest assured it will be delish. The menu covers a pretty impressive cross-section of America’s regional barbecue traditions, too, offering a little something for every craving. There’s St. Louis ribs, Texas-style beef brisket and Memphis dry rub, to name a few. Additionally, youngsters can feast on smoked wings, build-your-own burgers and other finger-licking delicacies. The restaurant is enormous, complete with a roaring fire pit, lending the feel of a boisterous backyard barbecue party.

164 Randhurst Village Dr.
Mt. Prospect
847-305-1799
Online: smokeybones.com

photo: Be Leaf

Be Leaf
All that barbecue calls for a little reprieve in the form of a wholesome salad or grain bowl. While not necessarily on the same scream-inducing levels as ice cream, kids will certainly take a liking to the vibrant chef-driven dishes on deck at Be Leaf, the Loop’s newest fast casual dining outlet. Working with local farmers to ensure the freshest in locality and seasonality, Be Leaf produces some of the best tasting greenery your kids will ever taste. It’s especially inviting with its build-your-own menu options and the quirky “Decision Tree,” a wall-mounted menu maze of sorts that takes guests on a tour of food options and descriptions. Diners young and old can accent their greens of choice — kale, arugula, mesclun, romaine, spinach, quinoa, farro — with add-ons like grapefruit, caramelized onions, bacon, tofu, sweet potato falafel and steak. So even if it starts off healthy and light, you can easily turn it into summery comfort food. The space is as green as the food, outfitted with planter walls, produce-packed baskets, flowers and other elements designed to echo a countryside farm.

29 N. Upper Wacker Dr.
Downtown
312-877-5399
Online: beleafsalad.com

GLAZE Teriyaki
In the heat of summer, the grill reigns supreme. It helps when said grill is manned by an alum of the Culinary Institute of America. Chef Dennis Lake leads the charge at GLAZE Teriyaki, a Seattle-style fast casual joint that’s heating up Lakeview with its first Chicago outpost. Using locally sourced, organic ingredients, Lake cooks up a menu befitting summertime cookout dreams, complete with char-grilled chicken, hanger steak, pork loin, wok sautéed vegetables and salmon. What helps sets GLAZE apart from the home grill is its signature teriyaki sauce, made fresh daily with an addictive mix of smoky, caramel-y flavors, and notes of garlic, ginger, pineapple and apple. Every entree also has a gluten-free version available, which is a nice touch. The casual restaurant has a laid back, homey feel with an open kitchen, communal tables, reclaimed wood benches, exposed brick walls and Japanese-style vintage fabrics.

3112 N. Broadway St.
Lakeview
773-697-3580
Online: glazeteriyaki.com

photo: Fuller House

Fuller House
This family-friendly pub-style eatery in Hinsdale features a wide array of people-pleasing dishes that run the gamut from brick oven pizza to jumbo pretzels. The restaurant has family in its blood, owned and operated by siblings Sam Vlahos and Patricia Vlahos-Segretto, who worked to compile a comfortable, neighborhood-oriented pub that families could flock to on the regular. And flock they will when they get a taste of the house-brined pickles, the brisket tacos, the prime burgers, the roast chicken and the cookie skillets. The two-story restaurant is warm and inviting, featuring a facade of exposed brick, barrels from local distilleries, salvaged oak and refurbished wood beams sourced from a defunct Chicago church. High-tops and banquettes comprise seating on the main floor, while a curved staircase weaves to a lively balcony area with an illuminated wine wall and a second floor dining room packed with traditional tables.

33 E. 1st St.
Hinsdale
630-537-1653
Online: fullerhousebar.com

Spinning J
What’s old is shiny and new again, thanks to the arrival of Humboldt Park’s eagerly awaited and highly scream-worthy Spinning J Bakery and Soda Fountain. Americana nostalgia is the name of the game at this corner spot, glistening with the type of comfy, glossy cushioned seats typically reserved for bygone diners and ice cream parlors. True to form, the dessert menu screams comfort, from the vibrant housemade soda drinks to the farm-fresh pies brimming with local, seasonal fruits like blueberries and cherries. This is the ice cream shop we’ve all been yearning for this summer.

1000 N. California Ave.
Humboldt Park
872-829-2793
Online: facebook.com

Where do you like to take the kids out for dinner? Let us know in the Comments below!

— Matt Kirouac

10 Signs You’re a South Loop Parent

by Kelly AiglonApril 9, 2015

A little North Side/South Side rivalry is to be expected in Chicago. And, we must say, the South is rising these days. With more families and kid-friendly hotspots than ever before, it’s a place parents want to be … and not just for Bears game tailgating. Here are the telltale signs that you’re living, loving and raising kids in the South Loop.

1. Grant Park is your backyard. Your very big, very green, very world-famous backyard.

photo: Ken Lund via flickr

2. You take casual and frequent trips to Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum and Adler Planetarium, where your kids can expertly navigate the kids’ areas. And, you have family memberships for all three.

photo: Shedd Aquarium

3. You keep sand toys in your stroller just in case you want to splash around at 12^th Street Beach after visiting the Planetarium.

photo: Steve Jurvetson via flickr

4. All those play dates you set up? You met the parents in a Music Together class at Sherwood School of Music.

photo: Sherwood School of Music

5. You plan your weekends around Soldier Field football game days and concerts. And your kids think it’s totally normal to have a weekly procession of drunk Bears fans or teenage concertgoers on the sidewalks near home.

photo: Jim Larrison via flickr

6. Car? What car? You don’t need one because you can get anywhere with the three train lines and five bus routes that run through the neighborhood.

photo: wisley via flickr

7. Sod Room and the indoor play space at Chicago Women’s Park are your winter playgrounds.

photo: Sod Room / TK Photography

8. You are constantly excited by the many shops and restaurants moving into the neighborhood, and Roosevelt Collection is quickly becoming your hangout for shopping and play time.

photo: Roosevelt Collection

9. Family-friendly Weather Mark Tavern is your “Cheers” every Friday night for the fish fry and balloons.

photo: Weather Mark Tavern via Southside S on Yelp

10. You have so many parks to choose from, you could go “park hopping.” And you know all of those parks by two names: Train Park = Coliseum Park, Circle Park = Daniel Webster Park, Sandbox Park = Cottontail Park, Mary Richardson Park = School Park.

photo: Coliseum Park via RL M. on Yelp

What do YOU think is a sign of being a parent in the South Loop? Let us know in the Comments!

— Story by the fun folks at NPN (Neighborhood Parents Network)

Neighborhood Parents Network (NPN) has been connecting a diverse community of families with the resources they need to navigate parenting in the city for 35 years! NPN is essential for all expecting, new and seasoned parents.

Just Roll With It: Atlanta Sushi Spots for the Small Set

by Phebe WahlMarch 30, 2015

Sake bombs might not be on the menu for you anymore, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still get your sushi fix. Atlanta is full of tasty and tot-friendly sushi spots where you can introduce them to this fabulous food. Read on for some spots where you can teach the kiddo’s the finer points of chopsticks.

Nakato
Offering both Hibachi and a full sushi menu, Nakato has been serving Atlanta families since 1972. They have all the fun family Japanese dining experiences covered. You want an umbrella in your little ones drink? Check. How about a hibachi experience complete with an onion “volcano” and shrimp flying through the air? Done. Oh and the Sushi is great too! When they say that they are kid friendly, they are not kidding. We celebrated my son’s sixth birthday there; naturally he came dressed as a ninja. The staff was nothing but extremely warm and gracious and when they performed the traditional birthday procession everyone’s face lit up!
Address: 1776 Cheshire Bridge Rd.
Phone: 404-873-6582

Shoya Izakaya
Ask anyone in the know about Shoya and the two words you will always here are: authentic and delicious. Your kiddos will love the fun and lively atmosphere and you will love the melt-in-your –mouth sushi. The menu is substantial and there is a lot to explore beyond the typical spicy tuna roll. There are plenty of yummy non-sushi items here too. Try the udon, ramen, or yakitori. And stick around for the sweets, the tempura fried ice cream and cream soda offer a sugar buzz worth indulging in!
Address: 6035 Peachtree Rd., Doraville
Phone: 770-457-5555

Harry & Sons
Harry & Son’s makes a fun family outing. After filling your little ones belly you can stroll around the very walkable Virginia Highland neighborhood. Serving both Thai and Japanese fare, and a menu that features everything from sushi to curries and noodles, you’ll find something for everyone. The coconut soup and Super Crunch roll are kiddo favorites. If you can get out on a school night, they offer buy one get one half off deals for sushi rolls as well as $1.00 nigiri specials.
Address: 820 North Highland Ave. NE
Phone: 404-873-2009

Ichiban
If you call Northern Atlanta home, then chances are you already know that both Ichiban locations, Alpharetta and Cumming, are always high-energy and packed to the gills with families. Relax; no one is going to look at you funny if the little one drops his chopsticks! With a super friendly staff and reasonable prices Ichiban makes for a great “first-time” family sushi experience. They do a great Habachi dinner and they also serve up some very creative rolls. With names like Chicken of the Sea, Firecracker, and Optimus Prime even the pickiest of little eaters might be convinced to give sushi a go.

Phone: 770-772-6822 (Alpharetta), 770-888-2676 (Cumming)

The Park Tavern
Yup, you read that right. Park Tavern serves sushi. It’s true; nothing about this place says sushi. It’s a park and it’s a tavern. But here’s the thing: the sushi is delicious! The Park Tavern flies in wild caught Hawaiian sashimi-grade tuna and you can taste the quality. Stand out rolls include the Cowboy roll (made with spicy Wagyu steak and potatoes!) and the Big Kahuna. If the kiddos insist, they can always opt for traditional kids menu options. And the best part? You are steps away from Piedmont Park!
Address: 500 10th St. NE
Phone: 404-249-0001

With so many kid-friendly sushi spots in Atlanta, we couldn’t cover them all. Dish! What’s your favorite spot to grab sushi with the little ones?

—Candice Rose

Photos courtesy of Nakato Restaurant via Facebook and freeborn via Creative Commons via Flickr

Dog Day Afternoons: Perfect Parks and Patios for Pooches

by Phebe WahlFebruary 7, 2015

For most of us, Fido was our first baby. And now that you’ve got kids of the two-legged variety, why not delight all of your kiddos with a trip to one of Atlanta’s best pooch parks or patios? Read on to find our favorite spots to enjoy with the entire family (furry friends included).

Best Pet & Kid-Friendly Parks

Tanyard Creek
Located just off the BeltLine in Buckhead, this park connects to Ardmore Park by a large, open green space. Both Tanyard Creek Park and Ardmore Park have playgrounds, and with a paved path between the two (and an elevated and active train track above one section of the path), this is a sure bet for making everyone happy. The playground itself comes complete with two different areas for younger and older tots, a huge spider web climbing structure, as well as slides, monkey bars, swings and a rock wall. Make note that there are no restrooms, so those that can’t just life their leg need to go before you go.
Tanyard Creek Park, Collier Road at Walthall Drive, Atlanta, GA 30309

Winn Park
Located in the heart of Ansley Park, this shady park combines sweeping green spaces, beautiful ponds, and a wooden playground (with areas for older and younger tots). With footpaths that resemble secret passageways between the giant azaleas, you won’t have any trouble prying the kids away from the playground to take the pooch on a stroll. Parents will rest easy with their kids playing here away from the city streets as the park forms an elongated bowl that offers natural protection from surrounding areas where cars are zipping by.
Winn Park, 32 Lafayette Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

Best Off-Leash Parks

Piedmont Dog Park
Piedmont Park is the perfect place to play with your pooch and wee ones. From stopping for a swing at the Noguchi playscape or Mayor’s Grove playgrounds to taking a splash in the Legacy Fountain on your way to the expansive dog park, click here for your complete guide to exploring Piedmont Park with kids.
Piedmont Dog Park, 400 Park Drive NE, Atlanta, GA, 30306, 404.875.7275

Mason Mill Park
One of Decatur’s most polar playgrounds is also just a few streets away from a large, new (unfenced) dog park. Unfortunately, you can’t park at the playground and walk to the dog park, but you sure can enjoy the playground and trails with Fido on the leash, and then swing by the dog park as a special treat on your way home. The playground offers the trifecta of clean bathrooms, ample parking, and awesome equipment. It is split into two separate areas—one for smaller kids and one for older children. The larger playground has a three-story tall climber and a pirate ship-themed area. The nearby nature trails offer plenty of opportunities for (on-leash) exploration as well.
Mason Mill Dog Park, 1400 McConnell Drive, Atlanta, GA 30033

Loring Heights
Located where Buckhead turns into Midtown off Deering Road, Loring Heights is a beautiful neighborhood with two playgrounds for kids (one sits adjacent to a recently renovated pond area), and a large green space with two fenced-in dog runs. Perfect for kids and dogs to wear out that last spurt of energy of the day, the parks in Loring Heights make you want to start talking real estate.
Loring Heights, Loring Drive and South Garden, Atlanta, GA 30309

Brook Run
The dog park is 3.5 fenced-in acres located in the back of 100+ acres of recreational space, which includes a playground, skate park, and plenty of trails. Heavily wooded, this is the spot to find some shade during our dog days of summer, but know in advance that there is no area separating small dogs from the big ones.
Brook Run, 4770 N. Peachtree Road, Dunwoody, GA, 30338, 678.234.4428

Newtown Dream Dog Park
The name pretty much says it all. This dog park, located in John’s Creek, has everything from Astroturf to a fire-hydrant shaped water sprinkler for the pups to frolic in. If you’re up for a drive, then point your car northeast and prepare to blow your doggie’s mind.
Newtown Dream Dog Park, 3150 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek, GA 30022

Pouch-Perfect Patios
Let’s face it, there have been nights out at restaurants with our kids when we would have preferred our well-mannered dogs to the mayhem of a tantruming tot. While these hot spots are historically pet friendly, it’s never a bad idea to call ahead, just in case there’s been a change in policy.

Lucky’s Burger & Brew
This family-friendly neighborhood spot is named for the owner’s Golden Retriever, and Lucky hasn’t forgotten the little people in her fame. She’s still just Lucky from the block. Head here for the relaxed patio and killer burgers.
Lucky’s Burger & Brew, 305 Brookhaven Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30319, 678.705.1713, and 1144 Alpharetta Street, Roswell, GA 30075, 770.518.5695

ParkGrounds
They serve coffee. They love dogs. Kids, well, they’re welcome too.
ParkGrounds, 142 Flat Shoals Ave SE Atlanta GA 30316, 678.528.9901

Treehouse
Hidden in Peachtree Hills, this Buckhead institution is a haven for families and furballs alike. Go early to nab a spot on the patio, or you’ll be hanging out in the parking lot with the pup with the rest of Buckhead, waiting on a table.
Treehouse Restaurant and Pub, 7 Kings Circle, Atlanta, GA 30305, 404.266.2732

Park Tavern
Could there be anything better than heading to Piedmont Park with bikes, riding over to the dog park, then cruising on to the Park Tavern for lunch or an early dinner with the entire family? Probably, but we don’t know what it is.
Park Tavern, 500 10th Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, 404.249.0001

Avellino’s Pizzeria
Yum. Italian food makes grown ups and kids happy alike, and Avellino’s has water and a warm welcome for the pups at both their Decatur and Brookhaven locations.
Avellino’s Pizzeria, 902 West College Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030, 404.228.3285, and 1328 Windsor Parkway NE, Atlanta, GA 30319, 404.500.3841

Paolo’s Gelato Italiano & Desserts
This could be the happiest place in Atlanta. From the luscious gelato to the dog bowl and dog treats outside the front door, you’d be hard pressed to pass up a stop at Paolo’s with kids and pups in tow.
Paolo’s, 1025 Virginia Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA, 30306, 404.607.0055.

Where do you like to party with your pooch in Atlanta? Tell us in the comments section below!

—Shelley Massey

Photos courtesy of Play Atlanta, Rich V. via Yelp, Cynthia K. via Yelp, Sheri M. via Yelp, Bryan R. via Yelp, Laura L. via Yelp, Amy A. via Yelp, Kisten E. via Yelp, Bullseye Rescue, with permission, and wallyg, Christian Collins, HAL9000@yoidore, donnierayjones on Creative Commons via Flickr and the author

6 New Restaurants Your Kids Will Love

by Matt KirouacDecember 31, 2014

From french fries topped with mac ‘n’ cheese to maddeningly amazing macarons, the options at new restaurants in and around Chicago are making kids giddy. Rest assured, parents, you won’t have to resolve yourself to kids’ plates: There’s plenty on these menus for you, too.

photo: Frite Street

Frite Street
It doesn’t get any cuter than a food truck specializing in succulent sliders. Until of course that food truck, The Slide Ride, establishes its first brick-and-mortar restaurant called Frite Street, which puts the slider’s BFF — french fries — front-and-center. A restaurant devoted to french fries? Disney World’s got a new contender for happiest place on Earth. Especially when fries come slathered with cheese sauce, flecked with bacon, or even heaped with mac & cheese. Fried fish, a few sliders, and various dipping sauces (oh hey, banana ketchup) round out the menu.

3006 N. Elston Ave.
Lakeview
312-925-1911
Online: fritestreet.com

photo: White Oak Tavern & Inn

White Oak Tavern & Inn
Nestled in the heart of Chicago’s most family-friendly neighborhood is a modern tavern and inn that ups the ante on cozy, hearty dining for mouths of all ages. There’s plenty for mom and/or dad to love — squash bread, whole roasted rainbow trout, and a duck board, for example — and while there isn’t a designated kids’ menu per say, the restaurant offers several off-menu kids’ options like a burger with wedge fries and housemade ketchup, handmade spaghetti with butter and cheese, housemade chicken nuggets, roasted carrots with honey butter, and cookies & milk “jam.” The rustic restaurant itself feels like a gussied up barn filled with re-purposed wood, barn doors, and an open kitchen window.

1200 W. Webster Ave
Lincoln Park
773-248-0200
Online: whiteoakchicago.com

photo: Sugar Fixe

Sugar Fixe
Cupcakes and doughnuts had their heyday. Now it’s time for a new sweet to shine. And there’s nothing more spotlight-worthy than macarons, the most adorable thing with a French accent since Pepe le Pew. A new bakeshop in Lincoln Park called Sugar Fixe fills that dainty cookie void in our lives, marking Chicago’s first bakery devoted entirely to macarons. Following the ravishing success of her inaugural location in Oak Park, owner Cindy Summers deemed it time to bring her delicate cookie sandwiches into the city. Featuring upwards of 20 flavors a day, kids will go starry-eyed over varieties like hot chocolate, snickerdoodle, and red velvet. Seeing as each one is light and airy, and roughly the size of a newborn puppy’s paw, it’s easy to try a few different flavors.

958 W. Armitage Ave.
Lincoln Park
708-948-7720
Online: sugarfixe.com

photo: Berrista

Berrista
While one macaron shop celebrates the sugar in life, another Irving Park cafe is going in another direction for their baked goods. Homaro Cantu, the mad scientist/chef renowned for his molecular work at moto, has cooked up his latest novelty: a pastry shop that eschews sugar in favor of miracle berries. The aptly dubbed Berrista is a quirky wonderland of mind-bending deliciousness, sure to delight kids’ palates through its quasi-magical usage of the mysterious miracle berry, which sweetens food and drink when combined with other ingredients like lemon juice. The results? Sugar-free doughnuts, scones, cream soda, and junk food-inspired snacks that taste as indulgent as you’d hope. Kids get their desserts and parents can relax about no more impending sugar high. It’s a win-win!

4219 W. Irving Park Rd.
Old Irving
Online: berrista.com

photo: Sugar Factory American Brasserie

Sugar Factory American Brasserie
With a name like Sugar Factory American Brasserie, you’d expect nothing less a saccharine kiddie wonderland of Wonka-like proportions. Indeed, kids will go gaga over this Rosemont juggernaut, the first Chicagoland location for this Vegas-based destination. While youngsters will have plenty to fawn over — the ice cream, the chocolate lounge, the desserts-on-a-blinged-out-stick known as Couture Pops — parents will have lots to love as well, like the signature boozy candy goblet cocktails and a full-fledged food menu packed with steaks, pastas, fish, and more. Gather the whole family, including distant relatives, and partake in the King Kong Sundae, a dessert behemoth featuring 24 scoops of ice cream, lollipops, fudge sauce, marshmallows, and all the candy accoutrements you could dream of.

5445 Park Place
Rosemont
847-233-9010
Online: sugarfactory.com/chicago

photo: uBuild Pizza Workshop

uBuild Pizza Workshop + Trugurt Duo
Do-it-yourself dining is the name of the game at uBuild + Trugurt Duo in Oakbrook Terrace. Featuring customizable pizzas, pastas, smoothies, frozen yogurt, and more, kids will love playing imaginary chef for a little while. The uBuild Pizza Workshop features more than 80 optional ingredients and toppings for pizzas, pastas, and salads. For dessert, the restaurant has a wall of self-serve frozen yogurt machines, with flavors like Double Stuf Oreo, pistachio and Watermelon Jolly Rancher.

18W046 22nd St.
Oakbrook Terrace
630-613-8103
Online: ubuildpizzaworkshop.com

What restaurant have you tried lately that you loved? Let us know in the Comments!

— Matt Kirouac

ML Interest Tag: tavern

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