There's no shortage of good, finger-licking barbecue restaurants in Houston. And because most barbecue restaurants are loud and casual, they make for great family outings. Loud music and loud patrons mean no one will hear my toddler yell in protest when his barbecue sauce drifts too close to his many pieces of white bread. Here are some of our favorite kid-friendly barbecue restaurants in Houston.

For more Houston restaurant recommendations, check out our Houston Kid-Friendly Restaurant Guide.

Dining out in Atlanta is truly "dining out" at these fabulous restaurants with outdoor seating! Eating al fresco with the fam has so many fun benefits besides tasty food—enjoy nature, allow kids to get their wiggles out, play games (like cornhole and Jenga), and jam out to live music if available.

Patios at restaurants with outdoor seating are awesome family dining options almost the whole of the year (winter might be a tough season to sell to the kids). Depending on which restaurant with outdoor seating your family selects, there may be some entertaining people-watching options or musical acts to catch. If your family loves a good restaurant patio, check out this great group of Atlanta restaurants with outdoor seating.

There are lots of toddler playgrounds and tot lots geared toward youngsters, and we've searched to find the best ones in the Orlando and surrounding Central Florida areas. Most of these toddler playgrounds are shaded, which is a lifesaver during Florida summers! Toddler playgrounds also have amenities such as soft rubber or artificial turf ground covering, baby swings, and fenced-in perimeters so even little escape artists are contained.

For more fun ideas for your youngsters, check out these fun splash pads, free play areas, and more things to do in Orlando with toddlers.

These days, more and more families are embracing plant-based diets. That trend is evident in the multitude of DC vegan restaurants that have been popping up in the District, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. From Ethiopian to classic soul food to delectable treats, DC restaurants offer lots of tasty options for vegan and vegetarian food that kids would be happy to chow down on.

Here are 10 family-friendly DC vegan restaurants that prove vegan food can be not only healthy, but delicious as well. Whether your family is full-on vegan or you just want to incorporate more meatless foods into your diets, visit these spots to chow down on a delicious plant-based meal.

For more restaurant recommendations, check out our guide to kid-friendly DC restaurants.

We've all been there. You bravely take the kids out on the town for a fun family date night, hoping the novelty of it all will be enough to enjoy some semblance of a grown-up outing. But it's not long before the troops get restless and you're desperately searching for the check. Luckily, Philly has loads of kid-friendly food options where children can stay occupied so that parents can eat and talk at a slightly less frenzied pace. From game cafes to bona fide indoor playgrounds (!!!), here are our favorite family-friendly restaurants in Philly where kids can play.

For more of the best places to eat in Philly with kids, check out our Philadelphia Restaurant Guide for Families.

There ain’t no party like a preschool party! Once your child reaches toddlerhood, they may have a more swinging social life than you do. Yes, your weekends might be filled with parties, but thankfully there are some pretty entertaining birthday party places in Connecticut for preschoolers. From ball pits to painting, and sundaes to splash pads, this list has all of our favorite spots for toddler birthday party places in CT that bring out the party animal in every guest.  

Whether you're looking for the best Indoor Birthday Party Spaces in Connecticut for Kids or want the scoop on the best Birthday Freebies for Connecticut Kids, browse our Connecticut Kids' Birthday Party Guide.

There is so much for families to love about Myrtle Beach, a vacation resort on South Carolina's Atlantic coast. Nicknamed the Grand Strand because of its 60-mile stretch of gorgeous beaches, this area is known as a sunny surf-side retreat and a golfer's paradise

But while the natural beauty of the coastline and the premier golf courses don't disappoint, there's also a ton of fun to be had off the sand (and the green). Myrtle Beach has lots of interactive museums, animal adventures, shopping destinations, and activities for thrill seekers big and small. Add to that some great restaurants (particularly if you love seafood) and you've got yourself an awesome family vacation.

Here are 25 things to do in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with kids, including delicious restaurants and family-friendly Myrtle Beach resorts and hotels. For more great family vacation ideas, visit our Family Travel Guide.

When the weather turns warm and sunny, it's time to get your little ones to the best tot lots and toddler playgrounds in Boston. Toddlers can't wait to get out and explore, and last fall's newborns are just about ready for a bucket swing! But not all playgrounds cater to the sub-preschool set. Luckily, there are several in and around Boston that do have sandboxes, swings, and smaller play structures built with the littlest kids in mind. Here are some of our favorite local "tot lots" with special features that are perfect for older babies and toddlers.

Explore our Guide to Playgrounds & Parks in Boston to find the right spot for kids of any age. Our list of 12 Awesome Boston Area Playgrounds Worthy of Getting in the Car is full of ideas for family excursions. And if the weather isn't helping play time, check out our guide to the Best Free Indoor Play Spaces.