Think food courts are only filled with greasy slices of pizza, French fries and General Tso’s chicken? Think again. Swap out those dirty tables and bland grouping of substandard eateries for something better. Something focused on artisanal and authentic cooking, superstar chefs and, gasp, al fresco dining.

Enter: the food hall.

Expected to hit the Fairfield County scene in just a few short months, Pine Street Concessions, a new gourmet food court currently under construction in downtown New Canaan will offer organic, locally-sourced cuisine in a family-friendly atmosphere.

It's been said that necessity is the mother of invention, and that's certainly the case for one new, mom-owned business in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

When Anna Bychowska went searching for an affordable birthday party spot for her then 6-year-old daughter last fall, she came up empty in her neighborhood and nearby Williamsburg. Party spots she found were either too expensive or booked months in advance. Discouraged with the offerings, she saw an opportunity and founded a party spot of her own. In late 2016, Cotton Candy Spa was born.

The Easter Bunny is just a fabled symbol of the holiday, right? At Storybook Experiences family and children's photography in West Islip, this folkloric character comes to life in a magical meet-and-greet that enchants and engages. Walk through the cottage doors and you are transported to a charming bunny village, delicately decorated in spring decor. Customers can wait in the bright playroom, equipped with a big-screen TV playing your favorite cartoon films on demand. 

There are plenty of family-friendly ways to get in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, from a free dose of Irish step dancing in Dorchester to the annual parade in South Boston. But perhaps the most authentic and enjoyable way to immerse the whole family in the Irish experience is right around the corner—at your neighborhood pub.

Kids at the pub? Absolutely. In Ireland, you see children in pubs all the time, especially in rural areas. Traditionally, the pub is the cultural focal point of the town. “Gathering as families is very important in Ireland. And for a whole variety of reasons—some as banal as the weather—the most ready place is the pub,” says Brian O’Donovan, native of West Cork and host of A Celtic Sojourn on WGBH 89.7 FM. “They’re open to all without invitation and provide warm, congenial spaces to chat with neighbors, find out what’s happening, share or listen to a song or tune, or even join in a dance. I think that tradition and welcoming atmosphere has passed over here to their American equivalents."

Now, be sensible: I’m not recommending that you drag your kids to the jam-packed downtown pubs after work on Friday, where the drunken revelry of St. Patrick’s Day can rival that of New Year’s Eve. But if there’s a true Irish pub in your neighborhood, it’s likely fine to bring the kids for lunch or an early dinner—and some places even go out of their way to welcome the whole family.

The 2020 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo was cancelled March 11, 2020 due to concerns over the coronavirus.

There are so many delicious things to eat at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and food is everywhere! Since kids get hungry quickly, it can be helpful to have an idea ahead of time of what is available and where. As you enter the rodeo, there are huge food tents with lots of yummy options as well as food stands full of fried goodies and more all around the main and children's carnivals.

Families tend to spend most of their time inside NRG Center, where the AGventure area is located. This is where you will find the indoor pony rides, petting zoo, rabbits, bees, chicks, and many other kid-based displays and activities. Inside NRG Center is also where you can check out the cows, goats, and breeding animals and get some great shopping in as well. We've broken down the best, cheapest, healthiest, and most kid-friendly food in the areas you will probably be spending most of your time.

It's beginning to feel a lot like “spring” here in Hartford County with the warmer temperatures! It’s the perfect time to enjoy an outdoor day trip. Elizabeth Park, a little gem tucked away in West Hartford, is a great spot to visit  especially this time of year. Be sure to also visit some of the other parks in the Hartford County area. For more springtime fun check out our CT spring fun guide!

In 2017, nerd = cool. Game boards and tabletop gaming seem to be at an all-time high. When I was a young adult, I would have done anything to have a place like The Geekery HQ in my neighborhood. Where was it in 1997?  Combining games, communal play and collectibles, The Geekery HQ in Astoria is a haven for tweens and teens with a penchant for Dungeons and Dragons (D&D), Magic the Gathering (MTG) and all things geeky.

For kids who love animals and have birthdays, and let’s be honest, that’s just about every kid, there are two ways to have special guests of the four-legged variety: at home or somewhere else. Traveling petting zoos will bring the animals with them, but if having a small menagerie at home isn’t appealing, consider hosting a birthday at a zoo or farm. There are many great options for outdoor, indoor, and at home birthday parties in the Philadelphia area for every type of animal-loving kid.