If you’ve ever asked your kids “How was your day?” and received what sounds like a grunt or the ever-popular “OK,” you’re not alone. Instead of letting family chats fall to the wayside, consider using conversation starters for kids during your next family dinner. Sure, gathering everyone for a meal might seem impossible, but it’s more important than ever; studies have shown that families that eat together often have healthier diets, increased communication, and overall emotional stability.
And, engaging your kids in conversation has other huge benefits. It helps them learn important social skills, boosts vocabulary, raises self-esteem (especially when you listen to their responses), and could lead to them opening up about things that might be bothering them. So, if you’ve come this far, congrats! The next step? Figuring out what to talk about at the table. That’s where our fun conversation starters for kids come in handy.
How to Use Conversation Starters
Time your questions.
If your kid is hungry, tired, or both, it might not be the best time to engage in elaborate table talk. Use conversation starters with kids when you aren’t rushing to get to practice, there isn’t homework to be finished, and everyone is in a good mood.
Listen to their answers.
So, their curiosity is piqued, and they’re thinking hard about what to say. You need to be present in the moment and listen. Kids’ self-esteem gets a boost when they know their parents are listening.
Don’t forget to ask open-ended questions.
Consider using conversation starters for kids that require more than yes or no answers. If kids (or anyone) have a chance to elaborate on their answers, that can open the door to more interesting conversations.
47 Conversation Starters for Kids
1. Can you guess the ingredients in the meal tonight?
2. What do you like better: waking up in the morning or going to bed at night?
3. Would you rather be a giant rodent or a tiny elephant?
4. What would you do if you had a million dollars?
5. If you had to eat a worm, how would you cook it?
6. What is a weird habit that you have?
7. If you had this week to do over again, what would you do differently?
8. Would you rather go without television or junk food for the rest of your life?
9. If a genie granted you three wishes, what would they be?
10. If money were no object, where would you like to go on vacation?
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11. Where is the most interesting place you have ever been to?
12. Would you rather swim with stingrays or explore the jungle?
13. If you could make any vegetable against the law, which would it be?
14. Would you rather not hear or not see?
15. Would you rather wrestle a lion or fight a shark?
16. If you were sent to live on a space station for three months and were only allowed to bring three personal items, what would they be?
17. If you had your human body but the head of an animal, what animal would you pick?
18. What is one favorite thing you do by yourself?
19. If you could read one person’s mind, whose would it be?
20. What two things do you consider yourself to be very good at?
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21. Do you believe in extraterrestrials or life on other planets?
22. What is your favorite smell? What memory does it remind you of?
23. What is the weirdest thing you have ever eaten?
24. If you could be one character from a book for a day, who would it be and why?
25. What's the last thing that made you laugh?
26. Tell me about something that made you happy today.
27. What does a perfect day look like to you?
28. If you could have any animal for a pet, what would it be?
29. If you could be in the movie of your choice, what movie would you choose and what character would you play?
30. Would you rather wear your pants backward or shoes on the wrong feet?
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31. What did you do to help someone else today?
32. What makes our family special?
33. What three words would you use to describe yourself?
34. What is your favorite song?
35. Would you rather be able to talk to animals or know how to speak every language?
36. If you could be a sound, what would it be?
37. If you could eat one food for the rest of your life, what would you pick?
38. Who is your favorite movie character?
39. If you had to make dinner tomorrow night, what would you make?
40. If you were a parent, what rules would you have? Are they different from ours?
41. What is your earliest memory?
42. If you could only have three toys, which three would they be?
43. If you could pick your name, what would it be?
Some of the best Amazon products don’t cost an arm and leg
The only thing better than avoiding a shopping trip with kids in tow is scoring an amazing deal. Thanks to Amazon, you can have both. We discovered the best Amazon products and deals right now (most of them are $5 or less!) that will not only make your life easier but will save you money, too. Now that’s a win. And many of them aren’t even discounted for Prime Day, meaning you’ll be able to take advantage of these deals whenever you need to rebuy.
In the market for kitchen supplies? We’ve got them. Budget beauty goodies? Found those, too. Not sure what? Just scroll our list to find some of the best Amazon products that are so wallet-friendly, you won’t even feel guilty for filling your cart (not that you ever should. But just in case.). Plus, there are several products you can set up subscriptions for and they’ll automatically shipped at an even larger discount. Saving time? Check. Saving money? Check. Check out some of the best and most affordable Amazon items we’re filling our carts with.
This viral lip color has a cult following (thanks to it's neutral-pink hue that's universally flattering and non-sticky formula). Get NYX's Vanilla Cream Pie Butter Gloss for less than $5.
Whether it's hot out (hello, sandals) or cold (dry heel skin catching on your socks—shudder), keeping your feet soft and smooth with these pumice stones is really easy.
It's easy to keep your chips, cookies, and any other edibles fresh! All you have to do is heat the sealer and run it across the top of the bag for an airtight seal.
Your partner wants to hit the hay, but you've just gotten to the good part of the book. Simply pull out this clip-on light, and everyone wins. It's also great for traveling!
How's this for a genius cleaning tool? You can use them on baseboards, and the little brush works wonders in door, window and shower tracks, in corners, and much more. Plus, check out the tiny dust pan.
With plastic straw bans steadily growing across the globe, you won't want to leave home without your reusable straws. With these, you can keep a set at home and put a set in your bag for when you're out and about.
These labels can be used on everything from mason jars to wine glasses, and as a bonus, they're reusable! Kitchen organization has never been this easy.
This handy stuff comes in seven colors and immediately bonds to nylon, mesh, vinyl, rubber and plastic, which is ideal for repairing items like tents, jackets, sleeping bags, water bottles and more. Be sure to pack a roll for your next camping trip.
—Shahrzad Warkentin, Karly Wood, & Kate Cartia
All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
We’ve got “Paw Patrol,” unicorns, dinosaurs, trucks and more!
It’s easy to make your toddler’s birthday celebration extra special with free printable coloring pages. We’ve gathered up birthday coloring pages featuring toddlers’ favorite things (Think dinosaurs and unicorns!). These free printables are perfect as placemats, and you can also print them on card stock and pair them with new crayons as an affordable take-home party favor for your kiddo’s buddies.
What could be better than a delicious birthday cupcake? We love this sprinkle-covered cupcake from Super Coloring pages that's ready for coloring and looks good enough to eat. This free birthday printable coloring page is a simple classic; to download a yummy cupcake or two, head over to Super Coloring.
Everybody's favorite rescue pups are ready for action on these free printable Paw Patrol birthday coloring pages. We love the badges that feature each of the Paw Patrol pups because once decorated they become wearable badges with a little tape. Find the Paw Patrol coloring badges and other birthday printables here.
This bulldozer coloring page is perfect for toddlers who wear their hard hats to breakfast and can tell an excavator from a cement mixer. Drive on down to Super Coloring to find all the construction vehicle coloring pages you need for your little one's birthday, including this big bulldozer.
Eric Carle's beloved ravenous caterpillar climbs on the candles atop the cake on this birthday-ready coloring page. We love that this coloring page's simple illustration features one of our favorite picture book characters. You can find this and more The Very Hungry Caterpillar coloring pages on Read Brightly. Pair this free printable with a copy of Happy Birthday from the Very Hungry Caterpillar for a celebration that will make your favorite two-year-old smile.
These dinosaur birthday coloring pages feature a party-ready T-Rex and a festive stegosaurus. Though these are printable puzzles, when printed in black and white, dino-loving kids can color them before you cut them into strips to make number puzzles. Download five different puzzles at Craft Play Learn.
If your toddler's favorite activity is a visit to the zoo, then we have the perfect birthday coloring page for you. This festive elephant wishes your little one a happy birthday with a trunk full of balloons. You can find this free coloring page at Super Coloring.
Whether you're taking a birthday trip to a petting zoo or waving at cows from the car, animal-loving toddlers will adore this farm birthday coloring page. We love that it doubles as a placemat and party decoration, too! Find all the cows and sheep your toddler needs at Jessie + Jade.
Lovers of all things magical will leap for this adorable unicorn birthday coloring page. Featuring a friendly unicorn, this page is ready to print and drench in glitter. Fly over to Super Coloring to print out your copy.
Birthday Favorites
Taylor Heery via Unsplash
Add a memorable element to birthday coloring with a birthday questionnaire. We love this free printable that gives you an easy way to capture your little one's favorite food, color and toy, year after year. Print out a copy and, while you quiz your toddler, give them a blank piece of paper and crayons to make a self-portrait that you can put in their memory box alongside the filled-out form.
A rainbow coloring page will keep away dark clouds on your toddler's birthday. We love the simplicity of the extra-large rainbow featured on this birthday coloring page that can be decorated with watercolors, crayons or markers. Download and print a dozen rainbows at What Mommy Does.
Wild Kratts lovers will roar for an animal-themed birthday certificate. We love that you can turn this into a birthday morning placemat or a special surprise sign on the birthday kid's door. Printing it in black and white gives kids a chance to add in their favorite colors. Head over to PBS Kids to download and print a free birthday certificate to celebrate your animal fanatic.
What was the first animal in space? The cow that jumped over the moon
Ready for a mood elevator? These animal jokes for kids are the key to a good belly laugh, we guarantee it! Kids will love memorizing these jokes about dogs, cats, bees, bunnies, and even squirrels. Which one is your favorite? Need more giggles? Be sure to check out our silly spring jokes, dad jokes, and the ultimate list of jokes for kids.
1. Why aren’t dogs good dancers? They have two left feet.
2. What did the Dalmatian say after lunch? That hit the spot!
3. What do you call a duck that gets all A’s? A wise quacker.
4. Why does a seagull fly over the sea? Because if it flew over the bay, it would be a baygull.
5.What is worse than raining cats and dogs? Hailing taxis!
6.Where would you find an elephant? The same place you lost her!
7.What animal is always at a baseball game? A bat.
8. How do you get a squirrel to like you? Act like a nut!
9. What do you call two birds in love? Tweethearts!
10. What’s worse than finding a worm in your apple? Finding half a worm.
11. Why don’t elephants chew gum? They do, just not in public.
12. What was the first animal in space? The cow that jumped over the moon
13. What did the banana say to the dog? Nothing. Bananas can’t talk.
14. Why did the dinosaur cross the road? Because the chicken wasn’t born yet.
15. How do you make an octopus laugh? With ten-tickles!
16.What do you call a dog magician? A labracadabrador.
17. Why couldn’t the pony sing a lullaby? She was a little horse.
18. Why do bees have sticky hair? Because they use a honeycomb.
19. What do you get when you cross an elephant with a fish? Swimming trunks.
Check out these 13 tidbits of Seattle trivia that even the savviest Seattleite might be surprised to learn
Are you raising a kiddo whose cute, scholarly nose is always stuck in a weird-but-true book? Or are you someone who can’t wait to share your cerebral, oddball trivia knowledge with your awestruck crew? If this speaks to you and your fam, you won’t be disappointed with this kooky list of fun facts about Seattle! Check out these 13 tidbits of trivia about our Emerald (or shall we say Eclectic!) City that even the savviest Seattleite might be surprised to learn.
Sure, Seattle has the super iconic Space Needle and many other landmarks of note, but if you ask any local, another great symbol that signifies the Emerald City is the giant pink elephant sign at the Elephant Car Wash on Battery Street at Denny Way. The car wash’s large sign is neon pink, rotating, and showcases a huge, happy pink elephant, hosing itself off with its trunk. It is so well known in the area that it has appeared throughout pop culture in movies, music videos, and ads and has even attracted visits from many celebrities. In fact, some claim this quirky car wash sign is the most photographed landmark in Seattle! Elephant Car Washes, originally founded by brothers Eldon, Dean, and Archie Anderson, have been the place to give your car a bath since 1951.
But did you know…while other Elephant Car Washes are still conducting business around the area, sadly the iconic Battery Street location has had to close in the past year?Luckily, these novel signs will get new life. The larger sign is set to relocate to the Museum of History & Industry, while the smaller elephant sign will be refurbed and installed at a public plaza a couple of blocks away from the original location. So the sweet, pillbox-attired elephant will live on!
You know what else…Wonder why did the founders choose an elephant theme? Because it is said that brother and co-founder, Archie, thought an elephant would be a perfect mascot because its anatomy includes its own functional water hose. Trunk-tastic!
The Giant Shoe Museum
Alaina Weimer
There are not many books quite as fascinating to a kid as The Guinness Book Of World Records. Pouring over unbelievable facts is a quintessential part of being a curious kid. Luckily for our community, Seattle has its very own Ripley’s-esque museum hidden in the depths of Pike Place Market. It’s the Giant Shoe Museum. Located in the Down Under level of the Market, this quaint museum-like display takes up a portion of the Old Seattle Paperworks store. This entertaining array of truly enormous footgear showcases part of a collection by Danny Eskenazi, who became a large-shoe connoisseur after his grandfather had once owned a shoe (that still remains at large) worn by the tallest person in recorded history, Robert Wadlow.
But did you know…for only a few quarters (50 cents!), you can show your family the whole collection of the world’s largest giant shoes? Various gargantuan styles are represented, such as hi-tops, boots, and old-timey shoes, including another size 37 brogue shoe worn by Robert Wadlow. So unusual and fun, you won’t want to miss this toe-tally awesome little gem.
You know what else…A reward of $1000 still stands if you can locate that original Robert Wadlow wingtip shoe that inspired Danny’s collection!
The Ballard Locks
The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, locally known as the Ballard Locks, is a really interesting piece of Seattle history. As many city dwellers know, it is located between Seattle’s popular Ballard and Magnolia neighborhoods, and is used to carry boat traffic (traditionally logging and fishing vessels) from Puget Sound into Salmon Bay, then on into Lake Union and Lake Washington. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, sees more than a million curious visitors every year, and has more boat traffic than any other locks in the U.S.!
But did you know…that the construction of the Locks changed the whole typography of the area by lowering the water level of both Lake Union and Lake Washington by over 8 feet? That actually added many miles' worth of waterfront land, but it also rerouted and reversed the flow of the rivers, left some piers in Salmon Bay out of the water, and disrupted the original salmon runs. Due to this, a salmon ladder at the Locks was reintroduced in 1976 to help the salmon out. You can watch the salmon in the Locks’ 21-step fish ladder from July to mid-August at peak spawning time.
You know what else…the U.S. Navy originally planned to build a shipyard in this canal between Lake Washington and the Sound, but because of the delays in planning, that shipyard was instead built where it is today—across the Sound in Bremerton, Washington.
The Space Needle
Alaina Weimer
Sure, if you and your family have been up the Needle then you know a thing or two about this iconic symbol of Seattle. For instance, you might be aware that it was constructed for the 1962 World’s Fair; that its space design concept was first drawn on a napkin; and that it stands 605 feet tall.
But did you know...that if you were to ride up the elevator (which takes 43 seconds) in a snowstorm, it would look like the snow was falling up? That’s because the speed of the elevator at 10 m.p.h. is faster than the speed at which a snowflake falls at 3 m.p.h. Cool! Also, your little ones might be excited to know that if you were to walk up the Space Needle, there are exactly 848 steps in the main stairwell. Just FYI…because, you know they will ask!
You know what else...the Needle is built to withstand winds of up to 200 m.p.h. in case that question ever crossed your mind.
Mt. Rainier
As the symbol of our state and the recipient of our unending adoration, Mt. Rainier (originally called Tacoma or Tahoma) has a special place in the heart of any Seattleite. But how much do you really know about this magical mound? We know our favorite volcano stands 14,411 feet tall and that it is the highest mountain in the Cascades.
But did you know... that Mt. Rainier has 25 named glaciers, the most of any mountain in the lower 48? The biggest one is called Emmons Glacier, a 4-mile behemoth that also happens to be the largest glacier in the contiguous United States. Now that’s a big ice rink! But there is also something unique about the glaciers on Mt. Rainier we bet you didn't know. Did you know that Mt. Rainier’s ice is home to iceworms? These iceworms are the only type of worm to live their entire lives on the ice. These small creepy-crawlies are exclusively found in the glaciers of Washington, Alaska, Oregon, and British Columbia.
You know what else...Underneath the ice cap of Rainier are ice caves made from ice, rock, and steam. They are being studied for their likeness to the conditions on other planets in our solar system like Mars.
Pike Place Market
Guess what? The famous Pike Place Market wasn’t created to showcase the fish throwers or to scare the heck out of little kids with a lurching Monkfish. It actually started due to overpriced onions in the early 1900s. The price of produce had skyrocketed, so our city and residents proposed a public market, where food could be bought directly from farmers (keep it local!). So in 1907, Pike Place Market was formed and has been operating ever since. It is now the oldest operating farmer’s market in America.
But did you know... the bronze piggy bank that stands in the middle of the market is named Rachel? She weighs 550 pounds and was named after a real 750-pound pig who won the 1985 Island County Fair. What a ham!
You know what else…the Market’s famous fish tossing came about because back in the day, the fishmongers got tired of trekking out to the fish table each time a customer ordered a fish. They realized it was just easier to chuck the fish over the counter instead. Hence the “flying fish” still sailing through the air today!
Emerald City
Alaina Weimer
We all know Seattle's brilliant nickname: the Emerald City. But where did it come from? Well, the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau ran a competition to come up with a slogan for an advertising campaign. Sarah Sterling-Franklin (from California) won the contest and came up with the slogan, “Seattle, the Emerald City. Seattle is the jewel of the Northwest, the queen of the Evergreen State, the many-faceted city of space, elegance, magic and beauty." And it has stuck ever since.
But did you know... it wasn’t Seattle’s first fun moniker? Its first common nickname was actually “Queen City.” This name was given to the city in 1869 by a Portland real estate company who used it in a pamphlet saying it was the “Future Queen City of the Pacific.” That nickname stuck until 1982.
You know what else… Other Seattle nicknames include Rain City and Coffee Capital of the World (for obvious reasons!) and also Jet City, due to Boeing’s proximity!
Sunglasses
We all know how Seattle gets a lot of drizzly and overcast days. There's no disputing that.
But did you know... the people in Seattle buy the most sunglasses per capita, more than any other U.S. city? It sounds strange, but some of the reasons that contribute to this phenomenon include the need for protection against sun glare off wet roads; the unique PNW lighting that causes brightness even when it's overcast; our preference for outside and water activities that might require eye protection; and the fact we may forget our sunglasses when we leave the house, so we are left to purchase another pair. Something to think about stashing in that stroller when taking Junior out for a walk.
You know what else… Seattle has about 71 total sunny days a year, meaning there are only just over 70 days annually where the cloud coverage is 30 percent and under.
Fremont Troll
Alaina Weimer
Did you know that Seattle has a big ole troll living under one of its bridges? In the community of Fremont, located under the Aurora Bridge on N. 36th Street and Troll Avenue N., is an 18-foot-tall, 30-year-old concrete troll just lying in wait to meet your acquaintance.
But did you know...Fremont's famous troll was born thanks to a 1990 art competition intended to revamp the area under the bridge. Artist Steve Badanes led the team that made this Billy Goat’s Gruff-inspired sculpture into a local masterpiece. If you can find the troll, look under his hand. He is doing more than just lurking. He is crushing a Volkswagen Beetle under his grasp. So many quirky things to love about this guy. Also, check out his uncovered eye. It’s made of metal and shiny. So delightfully sinister!
You know what else… that shiny metal eye of his is more than actually meets the eye. It’s made up of a Volkswagen Beetle hubcap!
Floating Bridges
Have you driven on a floating bridge? If you have ever piled the kids in the car and gone from Medina to Seattle, then you have. The bridge that connects these two areas and runs across Lake Washington is actually called the Governor Albert D. Rosellini Bridge at Evergreen Point. It’s not the only one of its kind in this area, either. When you travel on the Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge on I-90 from Seattle to Mercer Island, that bridge floats too.
But did you know...that if you drive either of these floating expanses you will be on the world’s first and second longest floating bridges (one of which actually sank during reconstruction in 1990, eek!)? Who knew? Now that is something we know your kiddos will flip over!
You know what else…The real reason behind these unique bridges over Lake Washington is that the lake is deep and the lake bed is way too soft to support a conventional bridge. That's why ours need to float!
Seattle Underground
Kate Loweth
Any local should know that Seattle was rebuilt on top of a city that was destroyed by the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. But if you have yet to hear this story, you're in for an unusual ride. This city-built-on-a-city gives birth to the very famous Seattle Underground, a network of underground passageways and basements in Pioneer Square that used to be at ground level before the fire. Instead of revamping the city where it originally was, the streets were regraded and elevated one to two stories higher (about 22 feet). That means Seattle sits right on top of the old city. The businesses underneath eventually fell into disuse, but certain sections have now become a major tourist attraction. You can still walk over some of the pavement lights that were used to light up the underground sidewalks below.
But did you know... one of the reasons for building the streets higher up was that it kept the sewers that drained into Elliot Bay from backing up at high tide? Thankfully, because of this, our ‘new’ Seattle is far less stinky than it could have been!
You know what else… The Great Seattle Fire that destroyed the original city all started when a cabinetmaker forgot about glue he was heating up over a fire. When it boiled over, it caught fire, started spreading rapidly (because of turpentine on the floor), and soon ignited the whole block.
Duwamps
If you ask a local they'll tell you Seattle is named after Chief Sealth, a leading figure of the Suquamish and Duwamish. And they wouldn't be wrong.
But did you know... Seattle was first known as Duwamps? Say what now? It’s true. A group of travelers known as the Denny Party came to claim land on what is now Alki Point (formerly and funnily named New York Alki). After a hard winter, most of the Denny Party relocated across Elliot Bay to claim more land at the site of present-day Pioneer Square, which they promptly named Duwamps. After these two settlements competed for dominance, New York Alki was eventually abandoned and everyone moved across the bay. After that, Duwamps' name was changed to “Seattle” to honor the very accommodating and welcoming Chief Sealth of the Duwamish and Suquamish tribes.
You know what else… The name “Seattle” was used in print for the very first time in 1852.
Seattle's Geography
Seattle Municipal Archives
Every Seattleite knows how hilly it can be (clutch drivers beware!). All these hills in our community are a result of glaciation. Glaciers moving south first dug out our terrain, but when they receded, huge mounds of rock debris were left in their path. These rock hills are thought to be what is now First Hill, Yesler Terrace, Cherry Hill, Denny Regrade, Capitol Hill, Queen Anne Hill, and Beacon Hill.
But did you know... that Denny Regrade was originally a big hill, too? This particular hill was removed and regraded in the years between 1898 and 1930. Regrading started on First Avenue in 1897 and 1899. Then years later, the hill was sluiced right into Elliot Bay. The last pieces of the left-over hill were finally removed by steam shovels in 1929 and 1930.
You know what else… some of the earth dug up from these regrades was used to build Harbor Island out in Elliot Bay. It was once considered the largest human-made island in the world.
Gone are the days when a PB&J is standard lunch fare. There are a gazillion bento boxes for kids on the market and they are just calling out for some fun school lunches. Scroll through to find some holiday-themed bento box lunches, special tools that kids will love, googly eyes that make your sandwich rolls come to life and tons of other ideas. Pop in a printable lunchbox joke and your student will be the talk of the lunchroom!
The winter is a perfect time to visit some of the marine mammals that make the Bay Area coast their vacation home. Scroll through for all our recs on where to see sea lions, elephant seals, sea otters and even whales in the Bay Area!
San Francisco
PIER 39
Kate Loweth
Coined the Pier's "Sea Lebrites", these boisterous barking pinnipeds came sparingly at first after the Loma Prieta earthquake hit San Francisco in October 1989. With a protected environment and plentiful supply of food from the Bay, the sea lions quickly decided to make PIER 39’s K-Dock their new home, with each winter bringing in up to 900 sea lions. Check out our guide to PIER 39 here.
Head to the San Francisco Zoo across from Penguin Island to see the playful Northern American river otters. These excellent swimmers are super playful, often seen practicing their underwater skills, wrestling with friends and sliding down slippery banks.
Año Nuevo State Park is one of the largest mainland breeding colonies in the world for the Northern Elephant Seal, giving families an up-close view of these awesome creatures. Up to 10,000 of them pack the beaches of Año Nuevo for breeding season, which begins in December when the first males arrive. From Dec. 15-Mar. 31 you'll need to book a guided tour to see the elephant seals in their native habitat. The park is partially open due to COVID and face masks are required.
Whale Watching with the Oceanic Society, Half Moon Bay/San Francisco
From January-March, you can head out on a three-hour whale watching tour in search of migrating gray whales. Tours leave from Half Moon Bay and you have the chance to see whales, seals and sea lions, dolphins and porpoises and seabirds. From April-November you can take a day trip from San Francisco to the Farallon Islands for an unforgettable experience.
The Santa Cruz Wharf juts out into the Pacific right between the Boardwalk and The Dream Inn. Along with a number of great restaurants (we like Woodies Cafe for its good food and laid-back vibe), there are spots to go fishing and souvenir shops aplenty. Kids will love checking out the sea lions that make their home there. You can check out the viewing holes at the end of the wharf or head to the lower deck area across from Bonnie's for some up-close viewing. Nearby is the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, a free marine education center.
If you are looking to see some sea otters up close, this is the activity for you. This spot is perfect for kayaking even for beginners as the waters are calm and you’ll get the opportunity to view tons of wildlife. Kayak Connection will take you out on a family adventure tour where paddlers as young as 3 can get some water time. Or, book your rental to explore on your own. You can read our kayaking with kids guide here.
Point Reyes and Chimney Rock are great spots to view elephant seals and migrating whales. Bring your binoculars and head to the Elephant Seal Overlook to check out the animals that haul out there. Check out this page for additional info on the animals there and closures that are taking place to protect the animals.
Farther South
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey Bay Aquarium
The Monterey Bay has been a center of activity throughout the central coast’s history. Now home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, at the site of historical Hovden Cannery, the Aquarium welcomes close to two million visitors per year. You and your mini aquarists will be captivated by the natural exhibits, marine life and daily educational programs. Dip into our insider’s guide and be submerged in everything this ocean conservation facility has to offer.
The Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery is a must-visit spot in San Simeon (just north of Cambria). Pretty much any time of year you can walk along the pier and see these massive animals up close. The pier is open every day and there are no fees or reservations required. Volunteer docents are often available to answer questions. Read our guide to the central coast here.
Reserve a spot on a three-hour whale-watching tour and go past the calm harbor waters to see if you can spot gray or humpback whales that come to feed on the abundant sea life offshore. The 45-minute sub tours are especially fun for little ones wanting to see schools of fish and jellyfish, as well as the local sea otters and harbor seals. You can also rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards from this location. Check out our Morro Bay guide for more info.
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All the world needs now, is love, sweet love and we have all the ways you can show love this Valentine’s Day right here. These Etsy Valentine’s Day gifts for kids include lots of personalized options that we know won’t get cast away on February 15th. Your little one will definitely feel the love when receiving one of these options!
Shelley Massey, our Atlanta editor and a mom of four, tried plant-powered sweetgreen for a stress-free family dinner. Here’s how it went:
The last Thursday of the semester was predictably chaotic. With two end-of-year parties, one preschool performance, one baseball team white elephant party and two basketball practices to navigate, it seemed like finding time (or the groceries for) a healthy dinner was a pipe dream. But, Wednesday night wasn't much different in terms of commitments and chaos, so I'd already played my microwaved quesadilla hand. My fridge was empty and my conscience was heavy. It was one of those days where I wondered if scurvy was still a thing, and whether my kids could, in fact, get it. Luckily, I didn't have to find out. sweetgreen saved the day.
Tinybeans readers can get $5 off their first sweetgreen order. Valid for new customers only. Order Now—Expires 3/31/22.*
What I knew about sweetgreen was very little. I’d heard they were new to the scene in the fast-casual food category, and I also knew that they delivered. Unfortunately, our recent move to the country put us just outside of their delivery range, but they are conveniently located so I decided to route my errands (did you really think I'd shopped in advance for that white elephant party?) near their Atlanta storefront. I downloaded their app, customized my order and placed it—all in about six minutes. When I pulled into the reserved pick-up spot, I knew my order was ready because of the status tracker on the app. I was inside the store for literally three minutes, just long enough for a polite employee to verify my name and show me where my food was waiting, and I was back in my car before the song on the radio ended.
With four kids, I knew better than to ask them what they wanted. The upside of sweetgreen is that they can customize your order however you'd like. The downside of sweetgreen is that my kids, given the option to customize their order, would most likely pick every single item on the menu. Instead, I chose for us. I started with an order of buffalo cauliflower topped with crispy rice, then proceeded to select a warm bowl customized with quinoa, goat cheese, marinated portobellos, blackened chicken and arugula—and a side of green goddess dressing. I also picked up a seasonal bowl with chicken and brussels, which came on a bed of romaine, spring mix and had roasted sweet potato, toasted almonds, apples, roasted brussels, blackened chicken and a cranberry maple vinaigrette dressing. The servings are large, so instead of ordering something for each child, I picked three entrees to share.
Tinybeans readers can get $5 off their first sweetgreen order. Valid for new customers only. Order Now—Expires 3/31/22.*
While I know that we should eat every meal as a family (and limit screen time, eliminate plastics and make our own lip balm), I definitely had to dish dinner up on Thursday in shifts. My preschooler and 2nd grader got first dibs, because they had earlier engagements. I took the lids off of everything from sweetgreen and let them pick and choose from each dish. Since the entrees resembled rainbows, my kids picked whatever they wanted and I felt good about whatever they chose for themselves. The best part was watching them dig in for seconds—of sweet potatoes, boiled eggs and brussels. My older two, in 5th and 7th grade, tucked into dinner about an hour later, after I'd dropped the littles. My 13 year old son in particular loved the buffalo cauliflower, and my daughter may or may not have been caught licking the green goddess container.
What could have been another nutritional disaster on Thursday turned into a seriously supercharged meal that each of my kids loved. They picked and chose what they liked the most, and now I know exactly what to custom order the next time practice, parties and performances create a perfect storm. sweetgreen is a choose-your-own culinary adventure that made this momma feel like she was getting something right.
Tinybeans readers can get $5 off of their first sweetgreen order! Order Now — Expires 3/31/22.*
—Shelley Massey
*$5 credit offer is only valid for new customers placing their first order on the sweetgreen app (iPhone or Android) or order.sweetgreen.com with a qualifying minimum $7.95 order value calculated before tax, service fees, delivery fees and tips, and after discounts and reward credits have been applied. Promotional credit offer can only be used by original recipient of this sweetgreen offer. Offer only valid for purchases made using the sweetgreen app or order.sweetgreen.com until 3/31/22. The $5 credit offer will be added to your account and you can add the “$5 credit” offer to your bag to verify at checkout. $5 credit offer expires at 11:59 pm EST on 3/31/22. Offer can only be claimed once per eligible user and must be redeemed in the sweetgreen account associated with the email address at which you received this offer from sweetgreen. Offer cannot be used to purchase gift cards. Not valid for orders on GrubHub, DoorDash, Uber Eats, Postmates, MealPal or other marketplace sites. This offer is non-transferable, subject to change, and has no cash value (except as required by law).
Waffles and Pancake aren’t your average kitty siblings. Even a trip to the science museum is an out-of-this-world, cat-tastic adventure. In Waffles and Pancake: Planetary-YUM, two cool cats learn all about space as they navigate an unexpected journey within the museum…
Waffles and Pancake: Planetary-YUM is the first book in a new early graphic novel series from Drew Brockington, the creator of CatStronauts. He takes readers back in time to when Waffles (everyone’s favorite CatStronaut!) was just a kitten. One special Saturday, Dad-Cat takes Waffles and his sister Pancake to the science museum where they see extraordinary things like 4D hairballs (cough, cough!) and the awe-inspiring planetarium. But while they’re busy learning about constellations and Neil Pawstrong, they get separated from Dad-Cat. How will they find their way through the big museum and back to their dad?
Young readers (ages 6-9) will enjoy following along on Waffles and Pancake’s adventures in this early graphic novel series, packed with educational facts about space. Purr-fect for new readers, books are short, engaging, and promote independent reading with an approachable comic-style format. Plus, this series brings a great balance of silliness and scientific information.
Fans of beloved duos like Narwhal and Jelly and Elephant & Piggie will soon be hooked on this fun, feline pair.
