5 Boston Restaurants Where the Meal Is the Entertainment

We Boston parents are lucky to have our pick of restaurants that offer built-in entertainment for the kids. Sometimes, grabbing brunch at a place like Full Moon Restaurant in Cambridge is the best choice for the whole family. The kids can play with the train table and toy kitchen, and the adults can catch up on some grown-up conversation.

Other times, however, I want my kids to focus on their food or to expand their horizons with something different and surprisingly delicious. What better way to tempt them than with an outing that leaves the bag of crayons, stickers, and notebooks untouched? The restaurants below offer culinary experiences that hold kids' attention with food that comes at them fast and with flair.

Weekend Fun for NJ Kids: Dino Day, Superhero Sunday & Tea Parties April 11-12

Springtime temperatures are on the rise, and so are outdoor festivals and fun. Family-friendly fests are popping up throughout the state. Celebrate creatures from the past and present at Camden Children’s Garden's Dino Day & Bug Bonanza Festival or have a ball at TD Bank Ballpark's Somerset Patriots Fan Fest. If you have a child who loves tea parties, you've got three to choose from this weekend: Liberty Hall’s Fancy Farm Girl Tea Party, a Teddy Bear Tea or Alice in Wonderland’s Post-Performance Tea Party. For even more weekend fun, check out our Event Calendar.

PlayTogether NYC Teaches Preschool Kids Through Joyful Learning

There might be as many approaches to parenting as there are parents in this city, but one thing we can probably all agree on is that preschool should be full of joy. There is plenty of pressure awaiting our kids later on in school, and we certainly want them prepared to handle those academic challenges, but learning doesn't have to be all work and no play. Our sponsor PlayTogether NYC believes that structured playtime is the best way to lead kids on an inspiring and engaging path to learning that can last a lifetime.

As the area’s leading play-therapy preschool, PlayTogether places an emphasis on small class sizes, individual attention, a varied curriculum and commitment to group play. Another big advantage: All PlayTogether’s students turning four are guaranteed a public Pre-K spot with the school, so tuition is free through NYC’s Universal Pre-K program.

Weekday Event Picks for LA Kids: Science, Superheroes, Happy BDAY MDR! April 6-10

Passover continues this week, and many of us are still out of school. The Discovery Science Center's Bubblefest is ongoing, and a trip to The Cube in Orange County or the new one in Los Angeles is definitely a great spring break outing.

For those interested in marking a mid-century birthday, Marina Del Rey turns 50 this year and celebrates this Friday through Sunday. Opening Day at Dodger Stadium is on Monday; tickets are limited so check before heading to Elysian Park. And it’s the first Tuesday of the month, so you can enjoy a FREE day at the Tar Pits. Read on for our favorite five outings this week, and check out our Event Calendar for even more options.

Weekday Event Picks for NJ Kids: Frog Jamboree, Disney's Beauty, Spring Fling April 6-10

For many New Jersey kids, this first full week of April is spring break. That means no school and a lot of free time on your hands. Whether you’re on break or just looking for springtime fun, we’ve got plenty to fill your calendar this week. Outdoor adventures await at the Growing in the Garden Preschool Program and Spring Fling Mini-Camp. Or relax indoors at theatrical productions of Pinocchio and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Finish up the week with amusement park fun at the iPlay After Dark Special. And don’t forget to check out our Event Calendar for even more options.

A Day Trip to CT's Oldest Park, Bushnell Park in Hartford

Located amidst our state capitol lies Connecticut’s oldest park, the beautiful Bushnell Park, which is a great site to visit for residents of all ages. Its scenic grounds make for a perfect spot to hold a picnic or spend the windy fall days flying kites. Throughout the year it is grounds for a variety of fun events such as the annual Winterfest. Bushnell Park is also home to the vintage 1914 carousel, one of the must see locations for Connecticut families. Tickets to ride this antique indoor merry-go-round are only $2 and it operates from May to mid-October. Conveniently positioned adjacent to the carousel is a playground for the little ones to run around in after they rode along the hand carved horses. During the winter season you can spend time skating in their outdoor rink and during the warmer months walk along the pond filled with ducks.

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