These funny jokes will have them belly-laughing for days

Need a good joke when you’re in a pinch? We’ve got you covered with a joke of the day for almost a whole year, and most of them are original! These hilarious jokes for kids require little to no explanation from parents, but you’ll want to get in on the fun, anyway. From cheesy jokes to knock-knock jokes and beyond, many of these have been sent to us by kids themselves. We’ve also got squeaky-clean jokes, spring jokes, and printable lunchbox jokes. And for those looking to take the fun to the next level, we’ve got the best minute to win it games, too.

Why should you share jokes with your kids?

Because it allows kids to learn to laugh at themselves and not take themselves too seriously. It’s an easy way to have quality time that doesn’t include a screen. So go ahead, scroll through our favorite jokes for kids, and spend 15 minutes having a good chuckle with your kiddos.

1. What do you call an ant who fights crime? 
A vigilante! 

—Joe L., age 10 

2. Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Olive.
Olive who?
Olive YOU!

3. Why did the teddy bear say no to dessert?
Because she was stuffed.

4. What do you call a little legume?
A Tinybean.

5. What did the left eye say to the right eye?
Between us, something smells!

6. Why did the police play baseball?
He wanted to get a catch!

—Yuna, age 8

7. What did the microwave say to the other microwave?
Is it just me? Or is it really hot in here?

—Yuna, age 8

8. Why did the student eat his homework?
Because the teacher told him it was a piece of cake!

9. Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Interrupting pirate.
Interrupting pir—yarrrrrr!

10. What is brown, hairy, and wears sunglasses?
A cool coconut.

11. Two pickles fell out of a jar onto the floor. What did one say to the other?
Dill with it.

12. What do you call a fake noodle?
An impasta!

13. Why did the kid cross the playground?
To get to the other slide.

14. Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Icy.
Icy who?
Icy you trying not to laugh at my knock-knock joke!

15. What kind of lion doesn't roar?
A dandelion.

16. How do you stop an astronaut’s baby from crying?
You rocket!

17. Why was 6 afraid of 7?
Because 7, 8, 9

18. What does a cloud wear under a raincoat?
Thunderwear.

19. When does a joke become a “dad” joke?
When the punchline is a parent.

20. What do you call a dinosaur fart?
A blast from the past.

Related: 100+ of The Best Clean Jokes For Kids

21. What did the limestone say to the geologist?
Don’t take me for granite!

22. What do you call a duck that gets all A’s?
A wise quacker.

23. Why does a seagull fly over the sea?
Because if it flew over the bay, it would be a baygull.

24. Which is faster? Hot or cold?
Hot. You can easily catch a cold. 

25. What kind of tree fits in your hand?
A palm tree!

26. Why can't you trust an atom?
They make up everything.

27. Why was the baby strawberry crying?
Because her parents were in a jam.

28. What did the little corn say to the mama corn?
Where is pop corn?

29. What is worse than raining cats and dogs?
Hailing taxis!

30. How much does it cost a pirate to get his ears pierced?
About a buck an ear.

31. Where would you find an elephant?
The same place you lost her!

32. How do you talk to a giant?
Use big words!

33. What animal is always at a baseball game?
A bat.

34. What falls in winter but never gets hurt?
Snow!

35. What do you call a ghost’s true love?
His ghoul-friend.

36. What building in New York has the most stories?
The public library!

37. What did one volcano say to the other?
I lava you!

38. How do we know that the ocean is friendly?
It waves!

39. What is a tornado’s favorite game to play?
Twister!

40. How do baby cats learn how to swim?
The kitty pool.

41. How do you get a squirrel to like you?
Act like a nut!

42. What do you call two birds in love?
Tweethearts!

43. How does a scientist freshen her breath?
With experi-mints!

44. How are false teeth like stars?
They come out at night!

45. How can you tell a vampire has a cold?
She starts coffin.

46. What’s worse than finding a worm in your apple?
Finding half a worm.

47. What is a computer's favorite snack?
Computer chips!!
—reader Rebecca K.

48. Why don’t elephants chew gum?
They do, just not in public.

49. What was the first animal in space?
The cow that jumped over the moon

50. What did the banana say to the dog?
Nothing. Bananas can’t talk.

51. What time is it when the clock strikes 13?
Time to get a new clock.

52. How does a cucumber become a pickle?
It goes through a jarring experience.

53. Which city does Paw Patrol like the most? 
New Yorkie.

54. What do you think of that new diner on the moon?
Food was good, but there really wasn’t much atmosphere.

55. Why did the dinosaur cross the road?
Because the chicken wasn’t born yet.

56. Why can’t Elsa have a balloon?
Because she will let it go.

57. How do you make an octopus laugh?
With ten-tickles!

58. How do you make a tissue dance?
You put a little boogie in it.

59. What's green and can fly?
Super Pickle!

60. When you look for something, why is it always in the last place you look?
Because when you find it, you stop looking.

little girl and boy sharing a joke
Saeed Karimi via Unsplash

61. Why do shrimp never share?
They're so shellfish.

62. What musical instrument is found in the bathroom?
A tuba toothpaste.

63. Why did the kid bring a ladder to school?
Because she wanted to go to high school.

64. Where do vampires keep their money?
A blood bank.

65. What do elves learn in school?
The elf-abet.

66. What do you call a dog magician?
A labracadabrador.

67. Where do pencils go on vacation?
Pencil-vania.

68. Why couldn't the pony sing a lullaby?
She was a little horse.

69. What do you cakes and baseball have in common?
They both need a batter! 

70. What gets wetter the more it dries?
A towel.

71. What do you call two bananas?
Slippers.

And speaking of bananas...

72. Why did the banana go to the doctor?
Because it wasn’t peeling well.

73. Why was the mushroom the life of the party?
It was a fungi.

74. What stays in the corner yet can travel all over the world?  
A stamp.

75. How do you fix a cracked pumpkin?
With a pumpkin patch.

76. What kind of award did the dentist receive?
A little plaque.

77. What do you call a funny mountain?
Hill-arious.

78. What should you drink while singing nursery rhymes?
Hot Cocomelon.

79. Why do bees have sticky hair?
Because they use a honeycomb.

Related: 30 Wacky Winter Jokes for Kids

80. What did the big flower say to the little flower?
Hi, bud!

81. There are two robots sitting on a wall. They are named Pete and Re-Pete. Pete falls off. Who is left?
(Re-Pete...so you repeat the whole thing again and again and again.)

—Henrik P., 10 

82. What is a pony’s favorite juice?
She really likes lemon-neigh’d.

—5-year-old Kerrigan

83. Where do fish keep their money?
In the River-Bank!

—Jaxon G., 7 y.o.

84. What do you call an alligator with a vest?
An investigator!

—Milo H-R, age 8

85. Why was the computer cold?
It left its window open!

—Milo H-R, age 8

86. Knock knock!
Who’s there?
Boo.
Boo who?
Don’t cry!

—Milo H-R, age 8

87. In baseball, would it take longer to run from 1st to 2nd base or 2nd to 3rd base?
2nd to 3rd base because there’s a shortstop in between.

—Milo H-R, age 8

88. What has lots of leaves but never actually grew?
A book!

—Milo H-R, age 8

89. Why was the computer cold?
It had a virus. 

—Henrik, age 10 

90. Why did the invisible man turn down the job offer?
Because he couldn’t see himself doing it.

—Jan L. 

91. Who keeps the ocean clean?
The mer-maid.

—Jan L. 

92. What did the astronaut say when he crashed into the moon?
"I Apollo-gize."

93. Why didn’t the orange win the race?
It ran out of juice.

94. What dinosaur had the best vocabulary?  
The thesaurus.

95. What did one DNA strand say to the other DNA strand?
Do these genes make my butt look big?

96. Why aren’t dogs good dancers?
They have two left feet.

97. What did the wolf say when it stubbed its toe?
Owwwww-ch! (by Henrik, age 5)

98. Kid: What are you doing under there?
Mom: Under where?
Kid: Ha ha! You said underwear!!

99. Why did Johnny throw the clock out of the window?
Because he wanted to see time fly.

100. What did one toilet say to the other?
You look flushed.

101. Why did the man put his money in the freezer?
He wanted cold hard cash!

102. Why couldn’t the astronaut book a hotel on the moon?
Because it was full.

103. How do pickles enjoy a day out?
They relish it.

104. What do you call an old snowman?
Water.

105. What’s a pirate’s favorite letter?
Arrrrrrrrrr

106. What do you get when you cross an elephant with a fish?
Swimming trunks.

107. How do you throw a party in space?
You planet.

108. What do you call an attractive fruit?
A fine apple!

109. What happened when the skunk was on trial?
The judge declared, “Odor in the court, odor in the court!”

110. What do you call a sleeping bull?
A bulldozer!

111. Why did the tomato blush?
It saw the salad dressing.

112. What do you call a fish without an eye?
A fsh.

113. What’s the difference between roast beef and pea soup?
Anyone can roast beef.

114. What do you get when you cross a centipede with a parrot?
A walkie talkie.

115. Why are robots never afraid?
They have nerves of steel.

116. Why did the cabbage win the race?
Because it was a-head.

117. What does an evil hen lay?
Deviled eggs.

118. What does a book do in the winter?
Puts on a jacket.

119. Knock knock!
Who’s there?
Needle.
Needle who?
Needle little help right now.

Related: 30+ Math Jokes for Kids That Add Up to Laughs

120. What sound do you hear when a cow breaks the sound barrier?
Cowboom!

121. What kind of haircuts to bees get?
Buzzzzzcuts.

122. Knock knock!
Who’s there?
Donut.
Donut who?
Donut ask me, I just got here.

124. What do you get if you cross a pie and a snake?
A pie-thon.

125. What do you do if you get peanut butter on your doorknob?
Use a door jam.

126. Why was 6 so mad at 7?
Because 7 8 9.

127. Why didn’t the robot finish his breakfast?
Because the orange juice told him to concentrate.

128. Why can’t you play hockey with pigs?
They always hog the puck.

129. Why do porcupines always win the game?
They have the most points.

130. Where do elephants pack their clothes?
In their trunks!

131. What does bread do on vacation?
Loaf around.

132. Why was the broom running late?
It over-swept.

133. What part of the fish weighs the most?
The scales.

134. What do ghosts like to eat in the summer?
I Scream.

135. Why did the teacher wear sunglasses to school?
Because her students were so bright.

136. What do you call a deer with pink eye?
A colorful eye-deer. (credit to Capt. John of the Appledore!)

137, Where do sheep go on vacation?
The Baaa-hamas.

138. What does every birthday end with?
The letter Y.

139. What did the paper say to the pencil?
Write on!

140. Why do birds fly?
It’s faster than walking.

141. Why did Superman flush the toilet?
Because it was his doody.

142. Why did the pillow cross the road?
It was picking up the chicken’s feathers.

143. Can February March?
No, but April May.

144. What time do ducks wake up?
At the quack of dawn.

145. Why did the giraffes get bad grades?
She had her head in the clouds.

146. What did the flower say after it told a joke?
I was just pollen your leg.

147. What did the traffic light say to the truck?
Don’t look, I’m changing.

148. What do kids play when they don’t have a phone?
Bored games.

149. Why didn’t the koala bear get the job?
They said she was over-koala-fied.

150. Who was that owl who did all the tricks?
Who-dini.

151. What kind of vegetable is angry?
A steamed carrot!

three girls laughing at jokes for kids
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152. How does the moon stay up in the sky?
Moonbeams! 

153. Why isn't there a clock in the library?
Because it tocks too much. 

154. Why do you never see elephants hiding in trees?
Because they're so good at it! 

155. What day of the week are most twins born on?
Twos-day! 

(submitted by reader Scooter T.!) 

156. Would February March?
No, but April May. 

157. What do you call bears with no ears?
B. 

158. What kind of tree fits in your hand?
A palm tree!

168. What do you call a fly with no wings?
A walk. 

—Jasper L., young reader submitted!

169. What’s yellow and looks like pineapple?
A lemon with a new haircut. 

—submitted (and created) by Rafael L. 

Related: 41 Giggle-Inducing Jokes for Toddlers

170. What do you call a deer with no eyes?
"No eye-deer." 

—also sent in by young Raffy 

171. What did the lunchbox say to the banana?
You really have appeal. 

172. What did the mouse say to the keyboard?

You're my type! 

173. What did the science book say to the math book?
Wow, you've got problems. 

174. How do squids get to school?

They take an octobus. 

175. Where do mermaids look for jobs?
The kelp-wanted section. 

176. What word starts with the letter t, ends with the letter t, and has t in it?
A teapot!

—young reader Collin S.

177. What has four wheels and flies?
A garbage truck!

—Lewis G.

178.  Two goats were munching on a movie script. 
Goat 1: This is good!
Goat 2: The book was better.

—reader submitted by Mr. Jeffry

179. What do you call a monkey at the North Pole?
Lost.

—submitted by Stella D.

180. Why did Humpty Dumpty have a great fall?
To make up for his miserable summer.

—reader submitted by Kaci Y.  

181. Why did the woman become an archeologist?
Because her career was in ruins.

182. Knock knock! 
Who's there?
Manatee. 
Manatee who?
Manatee would be better than a sweater today, it's hot! 

183. What do you call two monkeys that share an Amazon account?
Primemates!

—Merci P., aged 10

184. What snack should you make for the Snowman Holiday Party?
Ice Krispy Treats

—Emmerson H., age 13

185. What do you call a nun who sleepwalks?
A roamin' Catholic. 

—Janice B., a reader like you! 

186. Why do birds fly south?
It's too far to walk.

—Pearl, age 10

187. What did the traffic light say to the cars?
Don't look, I'm changing!

—reader, age 6 

188. Why is there a gate around cemeteries?
Because people are dying to get in!

189. What is a scarecrow's favorite fruit?
A strawberry. 

190. How does a hurricane see?
With one eye. 

191. How do they answer the phone at the paint store?
Yellow!

—Lily, age 6

192. Why do scissors always win a race?
Because they take a shortcut!

—Foster, age 5 

193. How do you stop a bull from charging? 
You unplug it! 

—Jadyn, Age 12 

194. What did the dad say to his daughter at the cook out? 
This grill is on fire! 
 

—Jadyn, 12 (This kid is on fire! 🤣) 

195. Why did the king go to the bathroom?
He wanted to sit on the throne.

—Eric, age 10

196. What is a pirate's favorite body part?
The booty!

—C.J., age 9

197. If it takes two men to dig a hole in one day how long would it take for one man to dig a half a hole?           
There is no such thing as a half a hole.

—Eric, age 10

198. How do cats bake cake?
From scratch. 

—reader Jacey

199. What is a zombie's favorite thing to eat?
Brain food. 

200. How do you fix a broken tomato?
With a can of tomato paste. 

201. What do you call a rabbit with lice?
Bugs Bunny. 

a family laughing at jokes for kids
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202. It took 10 workers 10 days to build a bridge.  How long would it take 5 workers to build the same bridge?
None—it’s already built!

—Liam, age 7 

203. How do you make the word Tiger longer?
Ti-grrrh

—Kabir, Age 9

204. How do you clean chicken?  -
Put it in dishwasher.

—Kabir, Age 9

205. What do frogs order at McDonalds?
French flies and a Croak-a-Cola.

206. There's a girl on a boat in a pretty pink coat. What's her name?
What. 

—Ray, age 9

207. Where does a rat go when it has a toothache?
To the rodentist. 

—Ray, age 9!

208. What does an alien do when it is bored in school?
Spaces out. 

—Ray! (they are on a roll!), age 9

209. What does a broken plate say when she gets her cupcake?
Is this GLUE-ten free?

—Guess who? Ray! age 9 

210. Why didn't the hyena cross the road?
He was too busy laughing. 

—reader submitted by Gillian P. 

211. Have you heard the one about the student who was afraid of negative numbers?
He'll stop at nothing to avoid them.

212. What do you call it when a hammock teases another hammock?
Hammockery!

—Joe L., age 8 

213. What did they say when Marie Curie and Albert Einstein said the same thing at the same time?
Greatest minds think alike! 

—Henrik, age 9

214. What did the kid learn about knowledge?
It was all knowing.

—Reader submitted by Deziree

215. Why did the chicken go the hospital?
Because it needed some tweatment!

—Joshua Y., age 9 
 
 
216. Why did the skeletons cross the road?

To get to the body shop!

—Also Mr. Joshua Y., age 9

217. What is more impressive than a talking parrot?
A spelling bee.

—submitted by...drumroll...Joshua Y., age 9!! 

218. What do you call babies in the army?
Infantry! 

—Joe L., age 9

219. What is a cat's favorite color?
Purrr-ple! 

—Olivia W., age 7 

220. Why did the dragon cross the road?
Because he was too chicken to fly!       

—Joshua Y. 

221. Who won the race of princesses?
Rapunzel, By a hair!

—Josh Y! 

222. What did the egg say when it was late for breakfast?
I have to scramble!

—our buddy, Joshua Y. 

223. How do you stop a bull from charging?
You take away it's credit card!

—Joshua Y. 

224. Where does the T-rex go shopping?
The dino store!

—Joshua Y., age 9 

225. Why was the rabbit happy?
Because somebunny loved him!

—Guess who? Joshua Y.! 

226. What did the pear say to the shoeless?
You need a pair of shoes. 

—reader submitted by Rose A. 

227. What do you call a bear with no ear?
A "B"

—Alexis R. 

228. What would happen if the dean lost his job?
He would lose his "ideanity." 

—Joshua Y. 

229. Why did the baby cross the road? 

To get to the whine shop!

—Matilda C., age 7

230. Why shouldn’t you trust stairs?
Because they are always up to something.

—Ryder, Age 3!!! 

Related: 20 Cheesy Jokes To Make Anyone Crack a Smile

231. Why did the scarecrow win an award?
Because he was out standing in his field.

—Suzanna R. 

232. What do you call a cat burrito?
A purrito

—Rosewyn age 8 and 3 quarters 

233. What kind of key opens a banana?
A monkey!

—Rosewyn age 8 and 3 quarters 

234. What do you call a pounding headache? 
A temple tantrum!

—hilarious reader, MJ Sims

235. How do you get a cat to code?

You Scratch it!

—Musegirl, 8

236. Why was the man mad at the clock?

He was ticked off!

—Nolan A. age 8

237. What is the strongest kind of shoe?

Under Armor!

—Liam A. age 9

238. Why did Rudolph have a bad report card?

Because he went down in History!

—Sreeja K., age 8 

239. Why don't scientists trust atoms?
Because they make up everything!

—Sreeja K., age 8 

240. Why can't you spell dark with a "c", so it says "darc"?
Because you can't c in dark!

—Shivani age 8

241. How do you clean a chicken?
An egg wash!

—MB, age 12 

242. Why did the cookie have to go to the doctor?
It was feeling crummy. 

243. What's Joanna Gaines' favorite snack food?
Chips

—H.P., aged 9

244. Why didn’t the skeleton cross the road?
Because there was noBody on the other side. 

—Grandpa Jo, 54

245. Why didn’t the skeleton cross the road?
He didn't have the guts. 

—Londynn, 9

246. What do you do when an astronaut’s wife is upset?
Give her some space.

—Jaden, 11

247. Why did the young astronaut cry on the moon?
Because he missed his mother earth. 

—A mother on earth

248. Two monkeys were fighting over a banana. What happened?
Banana split! 

—Saori K. 

249. What is a vampire's favorite fruit?
A blood orange!

—Rianna G., age 10

250. Why don't eggs like to gamble?
They always get a raw deal. 

251. When is a door not a door?
When it's ajar. 

252. Why did the scientist take out the bell?
He wanted to win the no-bell prize. 

—DT 

253. Why are strawberries natural musicians?
They love to jam. 

254. What is orange and sounds like a parrot?
A carrot! 

Related: 40+ Hilarious Knock Knock Jokes for Kids

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255. Did you hear about the kid who drank eight sodas?
He burped 7-Up. 

256. What be the pirate's favorite letter of the alphabet?
Arrrr! 
No, it be the C! (Sea).

—A hilarious 6-year-old reader. 

257. What is a tree's favorite beverage?
Root beer! 

258. Why do fish live in saltwater?
Pepper makes them sneeze! ACHOOOOOO!!!!!!

—Hasset A. 

259. Why are fish so smart?
Because they live in a school!

—Ronit P. 

The following four jokes were written by Kaleb, age 4, as told to his grandpa:

260. Why did the cow lie down in the grass? 
He was ground beef.

261. What did Mama cow say to Baby cow? 
It’s pasture bedtime.

262. Why did the phone walk in the water? 
He was wading for a phone call.

263. What is blue, but not heavy?
Light blue.

264. How do you find Will Smith in the snow?
You look for fresh prints. 

—Joshua N. 

265. Why don't you ever date a tennis player?
Because love means nothing to them.

—Joshua N. 

266. "Doctor, doctor I am afraid of squirrels!"
Doctor: You must be nuts.

—reader Jerry C. 

267. What happened to the frog whose car broke down?
He had to be toad! 

—Martin F. 

268. What is the best day to visit McDonalds?
Fry-Day!

—Gianni, age 6

269. What's a cow's favorite drink?
A s-moooo-thie.

—Young readers Jax (7) and Kora (5)

270. Knock knock!
Who’s there?
Cow
Cow who? 
Cows don’t say who, they say moooo!

—Adalyn, age 5

271. Why did the tomato stop?
Because he was out of juice. 

—Karma E. 

Related: 51 Totally Goofy Birthday Jokes for Kids

272. What are cats best at?
Cat-apulting!

—Macy (10)

273. Where do cats roam?
In the catacombs!

—Katie (34)

274. What kind of stick does a cat chase?
A cat-stick!

—Macy (10)

275. What kind of fruit does a dog eat?
A dog-berry!

—Macy (10) & Katie (34)

276. Why do hockey players make great bankers?
Because they are good at checking.

—Henrik, age 9 3/4

277. How do chickens dance?
Chick to chick.

278. Mr. Red and Ms. Red live in the red house; Mr. Purple and Ms. Purple live in the purple house. Who lives in the white house?
The president!

—submitted by young reader Gwen I.

279. Why did the chicken cross the road?
It was trying to get away from the KFC.

—Ben, age 8

280. Who sits at the bottom of the sea and twitches?
A nervous wreck.

—Alesha, age 11

281. Why was the snowman in the box?
Because he was picking his nose.

—Peter, age 8

 

happy kids laughing
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These next five were sent in from Jax (7) and Kora (5):

282. What’s a dog's favorite toy?
A funny bone!

283. What’s a cow's favorite rock?
A mooo-n rock

284. What’s the scariest plant?
Bam-booo!

285. What’s a cow's favorite place to go?
The mooo-vies!

286. What’s the scariest injury?
A booo-booo!

(Jax & Kora!) 

287. Why was the snow yellow?
Because Elsa let it go! 

—Kaylee

289. Why did the girl smear peanut butter on the road?
To go with the traffic jam!

—Scarlett 

290. What do you call a dinosaur that is sleeping?
A dino-snore!

291. What do you get when you cross a vampire and a snowman?
Frost bite!

292. What did one plate say to the other plate?
Dinner is on me!

293. What do you call Chewbacca with cookies in its fur?
A chocolate-chip Wookie. 

—Jake

294. What is black and white and looks like a penguin?
A penguin. 

—Zhan, age 5 

295. What does a cow like to drink?
A smoothie. 

—Carolina, age 8

296. Why did the parent hit the cake with a hammer?
It was a pound cake. 

little girl and her mom laughing at jokes
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297.  When is the best time to go to the dentist?
At tooth-hurty!!!

—Tyler R.

298. Why is "dark" spelled with a k and not a c? 
Because you can’t c in the dark!

—Garrett

299. A new pig came to the farm, he was a great painter. What do you think his name was?
Pigasso!

—Amara

A spin-off:

300. What is the name of the Dutch pig who was famous for painting sunflowers and cutting off his ear?
Vincent van Hog

—Gloria, age 8

301. What is a bat’s favorite game to play?
A com-bat

—Bianca, age 7

302. What did the salad say to the carrot after it lost the fight?
You've lettuce down.

—Joe, age 10

303. What did the salad say to the carrot when it asked for directions to a restaurant?
Beets me!

—Joe, age 10

304. Why don't eggs tell each other jokes?
They'd crack each other up!

—Raina, age 10

305. Which milkshake always comes with a straw?
A strawberry milkshake

—Gloria, age 8

306. What stories do crustaceans like best?
Lobster Tales

—Gloria, age 8

307. What did the basketball say to the hoop when it missed?
Oh shoot!

—Layla, age 9

308. Why did the lion cross the road?
To get to the other pride!

309. What is the best gift you could ever ask for?
Broken drum sticks. You just can't beat it. 

—Nate

310. Why did the nurse have a red crayon?
To draw blood.

—Charlotte

311. What mood best describes a sad librarian?
Under the books.

—Elliana

Related: You’ll Be Taco-ing about These Jokes All Day

312. What do you call a Buffalo that likes beef?
A Beef-alo

313. What does a camel say to a hunter?
Do you need some camel-flage

314. Why does the dinosaur like the bathroom?
Because it’s ex-stink-t

315. Why does the dentist use a computer?
Because it has Bluetooth.

—Jokes 312-315 by Gunner, age 8

316. What’s grey?
A melted penguin.

317. What goes black, white, black, white, black white?
A penguin rolling down a hill.
318. Can a match box?
No, but a tin can!
319. Why was the baby in Egypt?
It was looking for its mummy.
320. Why did the chewing gum cross the road?
It was stuck on the chicken’s foot.
321. What does a cow eat for breakfast?
Mooo-esli.
322. Doctor, doctor, I feel like a dog.
Then go and see a vet!

323. What do girl snakes write at the bottom of their letters?
With love and hisses.

324. Why did the bacteria cross the microscope?
To get to the other slide.
—Jokes 316-324 by Elijah, age 11
325. Knock, knock
Who’s there?
Lettuce.
Lettuce who?
Let us in, it’s cold out here!

326. What do you get when you cross a bridge with a car?
To the other side of the river.

327. What do you get when you cross an elephant with a cake?
Crumbs.

328. Doctor, doctor, I keep thinking I’m a dog.
Then sit on the couch and we’ll talk about it,
But I’m not allowed on the furniture!

329. Doctor, doctor I feel like a sheep.
That’s baa-aaa-aad.

330. What do you call a bee that buzzes quietly?
A mumble bee.

—Jokes 325-330 by Malachi, age 7 and a half

331. Where do you find a polar bear? 
The same place you left her.

—Thomas, age 7

332. What is fast, loud, and crunchy?
A rocket chip!

333. How does a vampire start a letter?
Tomb it may concern…

334. What has ears but cannot hear?
A field of corn…

335. Did you hear the one about the claustrophobic astronaut?

He just needed a little space.

Make sure to capture all the giggles—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.

The words “What’s for dinner?” might be a busy parent’s least favorite phrase. You just got home from work, there are a dozen things to finish by yesterday, and you need to be at two different after-school activities in the next hour. And now you have to feed everyone a delicious meal—what gives? If you’re burned out on planning the evening meal but not excited about serving mac and cheese and dino nuggies yet again, we rounded up 11 easy family dinners to keep in your back pocket for those evenings when you just can’t. Some have store-bought shortcuts, and some use a slow cooker, but all taste great and require almost no prep work, yay!

If you want more easy family dinners, check out our favorite 30-minute meals and our make-ahead meals perfect for busy weeknights.

Baked Ranch Bacon Chicken

With only five ingredients, you can make a rich and savory main meal with this simple recipe from The Cookie Rookie. The prep work is easy, and it all comes together in one casserole dish.

Oven-Baked Salmon

a picture of oven-baked salmon, an easy dinner idea
Kristine's Kitchen Blog

Salmon is a versatile and healthy fish that most kids will eat. This recipe from Kristine’s Kitchen Blog is ideal for busy nights because it’s a 30-minute meal with almost no clean-up required. What makes it especially good is the honey-dijon glaze you’ll use to baste it while it cooks.

3-Ingredient Creamy Tomato Shells

a picture of creamy tomato shells, an easy family dinner
Pinch of Yum

Pasta is one of the most versatile dinner options on the planet. With hundreds of different ways to prepare it, finding one that takes almost no time is a win for busy parents. This easy family dinner recipe from Pinch of Yum takes less than 30 minutes, and the secret is in the sauce!

The Viral Baked Feta Pasta

This dish went viral on TikTok a while back, and this is the original recipe that made it happen. The longest part is the roasted tomatoes and baked feta, and Feel Good Foodie has a faster stovetop version for those short on time (who isn’t?). Either way, you’ll get a savory pasta dish you can serve alone or as a side. For picky eaters, you can remove the roasted tomatoes from their portion.

Related: 19 One-Pot Pasta Recipes That Keep Dirty Dishes to a Minimum

French Dip Sliders

Warm, gooey French Dip sliders for dinner? Yes, please! The hardest part of this easy family dinner from Eating on a Dime is the time you’ll spend sauteeing onions to layer on top of deli roast beef and provolone cheese. If you’ve got picky eaters at home, just skip the onions on a few of the sliders.

Sheet Pan Pork Tenderloin

We love a good sheet pan dinner, and this one from No. 2 Pencil is as easy as it gets. It takes 25 minutes to bake this well-balanced meal in the oven, and with one pan to clean, it’s perfect for a night when you need something quick, filling, and flavorful.

Meatball Sub Bubble Bake

This is one of our favorite easy family dinners. Not only does it take 10 minutes to prep, but it also only takes about 20 minutes to bake. You’ll end up with a delicious one-pot meal with just four ingredients that older kids can whip up if you aren’t home. Get the recipe from Life with the Crust Off.

Pasta with Peas and Bacon

a picture of pasta with bacon and peas, an easy family dinner
iStock

A house favorite, this quick pasta is so tasty that the kids will be begging you to make it every week. You can even use pancetta instead of bacon! Get the recipe here.

Slow Cooker Teriyaki Meatballs

Anything made in a slow cooker is a godsend for busy parents. This easy dinner recipe from Persnickety Plates uses frozen meatballs, teriyaki sauce (store-bought or homemade, depending on your preference), and pineapple. Serve over rice with broccoli.

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

a picture of sheet pan chicken fajitas, which is one of the best easy family dinners
One Lovely Life

This easy family dinner is great for busy nights because you can prep all the toppings while the meat and veggies are baked in the oven. One Lovely Life says you can use store-bought fajita seasonings if you don’t have time to make your seasoning blend.

Honey Garlic Shrimp

a picture of honey garlic shrimp, an easy family dinner
Sally McKenney via Sally's Baking Addiction

Shrimp cooks so quickly, and the marinating time in this super easy dinner recipe from Sally’s Baking Addition is only 15-20 minutes, so you can prep it, take care of something else, come back, and throw the shrimp in the pan. Five minutes later, you’ll be ready to serve it up. Our only recommendation is to cut back on the amount of honey.

 

Food tours, live jazz, swamp excursions, and beignets on every corner

While many make their way to New Orleans for the annual Mardi Gras festivities or nights on Bourbon Street, I recently spent an extended weekend exploring the French Quarter and beyond with my tween and found it to be a great option for families. The food scene cannot be beat and there’s so much to do from a newly renovated aquarium to nearby swamp tours to live jazz performances. We’ve planned your trip for you so follow along and get ready to make your way to NOLA!

Things to Do in New Orleans with Kids

1. Visit the newly renovated Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium.

Audubon Aquarium New Orleans

Plan to spend a few hours visiting these spots located right along the Mississippi River. They recently reopened after undergoing extensive renovations and kids will get a kick out of the Audubon Aquarium’s touch pool where they can get up close to sting rays. The African penguins are just the entertainment you need to keep the kids engaged. Discover the wetlands of the bayou and find out what animals make it their home.

@k8loweth

Visit the Audubon Insectarium with us! #auduboninsectarium #neworleans #neworleansthingstodo #visitneworleans #insecttok #insects #bugs

♬ Golden Hour: Piano Version – Andy Morris

Then head next door to the Audubon Insectarium where all the creepy, crawly creatures are on display. Touch stations welcome the brave to learn about beetles, larvae, and more. Our favorite spot was Bug Appétit where you can try out ranch or barbecue-flavored crickets along with other bug treats. The immersive butterfly garden was a real treat with these gorgeous creatures surrounding you as you walk through the exhibit.

2. Immerse yourself in art at JAMNOLA.

JAMNOLA New Orleans exhibit

There’s so much art on display in New Orleans from street art covering the buildings to artists selling their creations around Jackson Square. JAMNOLA celebrates this creative spirit by immersing you in 17 art exhibits where you can see how a Gatorade bottle can be turned into a lamp and so much more. Kids will love climbing inside a crab pot to be cooked along with the crawdads and then checking out their reflection in the mirrored wallpaper.

After your JAMNOLA visit, walk around this neighborhood to check out the street art that adorns the buildings. We loved the nearby Bywater Brew Pub for its casual atmosphere, delicious eats, and beer selection.

3. View the city from above at Vue Orleans.

view from Vue Orleans

Right along the waterfront is this fun, immersive activity that your whole family will enjoy. Vue Orleans gives you a taste of New Orleans history through interactive exhibits and then sends you up to the top floor for a 360-degree view of the city down below. Kids will love trying their luck at navigating a barge through the Mississippi River in the interactive game and you can snap some great pics from the indoor and outdoor levels.

4. Learn about history at the National World War II Museum.

Not to be missed, this museum offers a multimedia look into World War II with a huge amount of artifacts and personal stories to lead the way. Kids will be amazed to stand next to tanks and view WWII airplanes from below. Be sure to get tickets for the Beyond All Boundaries 4D experience that brings personal accounts of the war to life. Kids will also enjoy The Walt Disney Studios and World War II exhibit.

5. Take in a live jazz performance at Preservation Hall.

jazz performance at Preservation Hall in New Orleans

This was our favorite activity of all when we visited New Orleans and you need to make sure you get tickets while you are there. Even those who are not necessarily jazz aficionados will enjoy listening to a traditional New Orleans jazz performance in this ultra-small venue that has been open since 1961. Shows last 45 minutes and you can even meet some of the musicians after the show!

6. Taste Creole and Cajun classics on a food tour with Tastebud Tours.

A great way to learn a little history about an area and taste some delicious eats along the way is on a food tour. We loved our Tastebuds walking tour of New Orleans where we got to learn about the history of the po’boy (and try one) as well as the correct way to pronounce “pralines.” We got tastes of muffuletta, jambalaya, gumbo, and pralines along with lots of walking through the French Quarter.

7. Visit The Presbytère to learn how the area was impacted by Hurricane Katrina.

On Jackson Square in the French Quarter, you’ll find this state museum where you can pop in and learn about Louisianna’s history. Permanent exhibits focus on Hurricane Katrina and Mardi Gras and kids will love the interactive portions.

8. Check out the parade floats at Mardi Gras World.

Mardi Gras World New Orleans

Even if you visit New Orleans in the off-season, you can get a taste of Mardi Gras by visiting this massive warehouse with in-progress parade floats, previously exhibited floats, and a short video that shares the history of the event. You’ll even get a sample of king cake!

9. Ride the streetcars up Canal Street.

The too cute streetcars that make their way through New Orleans are a bit of history that you’ll definitely want to check out while you are in town. Snag a “Jazzy Pass” if you think you’ll be riding a lot as it will give you a full day (or more) of unlimited travel. Bonus: there are discounts for kids!

10. Head out to the swamp on an airboat tour.

swamp tour on airboat in New Orleans

Head out of the city for this half-day excursion that will show you all the wetlands that make up the area around New Orleans. An airboat is the best way to see alligators and other critters that live in the swamps as you get to zip through canals. You can also opt for a pontoon boat tour if you prefer a slower-speed adventure. Your tour includes bus transportation along with the boat ride.

11. See what life was like in 1850.

Head to the 1850 House in Jackson Square. You can walk through this home to see upper-middle-class life in antebellum New Orleans, the most prosperous period in the city’s history.

12. Learn about New Orleans’ ghostly past on a ghost tour.

A great way to learn about the city’s spooky history is to head out on a ghost tour. These will take you through the French Quarter and you’ll learn about the ghastly events that have taken place and the spirits that remain to this day. These tours are typically kid-friendly but ask in advance!

13. Spend the afternoon at Sea Cave, the dive bar arcade of your dreams.

@k8loweth

Awesome bar + arcade. Unlimited play $10/adults, $5/kids. Kids allowed until 6pm. #neworleans #neworleansthingstodo #traveltiktok #travelwithkids #nola

♬ The Final Countdown (Originally Performed by Europe) [Instrumental Version] – Hit The Button Karaoke

If you are looking for a break from all the walking and a spot everyone will enjoy, head to Sea Cave. This underwater-themed bar offers all-you-can-play arcade games and kids are welcome with parents until 6 p.m. They have snacks available and beers on taps—perfect for a relaxing afternoon.

Favorite Spots to Eat in New Orleans with Kids

child eating beignets in New Orleans

The food scene in New Orleans can’t be beat and you’ll want to spend some time trying local favorites like jambalaya, crawfish etouffee, po’boys, and red beans and rice.

Top Spots in New Orleans for Breakfast

  • You’ll find beignet spots on just about every corner in New Orleans and we recommend you get at least one beignet a day. A stop at Cafe du Monde is a requirement and the Jackson Square location often has musicians playing outside for a lively vibe. If the line is too long, there are other locations to choose from not too far away. Just down the street is Cafe Beignet where you can order from the bar in addition to getting your fill of powdered sugar-topped beignets.
  • If you’re looking for the full brunch experience, make your way to one of the Ruby Slipper Cafe locations. The menu is full of sweet and savory choices with a half dozen Eggs Benedict options to choose from. The NOLA-style iced coffee will get your day going on the right foot and the pig candy bacon bites are not to be missed!
  • Near the French market, you’ll find French Toast, a lovely spot for crepes, breakfast sandwiches, and French toast (of course). Go for the aebelskivers if you are looking for a pancake of a different sort—served with your choice of toppings including Nutella and lemon curd.

Top Spots in New Orleans for Lunch and Dinner

  • For Cajun and southern favorites with a relaxed upscale vibe, head to Cochon. Focusing on locally sourced and seasonal ingredients, you’ll want to order a bunch of items for sharing. We had to try the fried alligator with chili garlic mayo (delicious!) as well as the house boucherie selection (also perfection!). Both were a hit with the adult and kid contingent.
  • Before your night at Preservation Hall, book a table at Tableau, located just down the street. It takes up space in the heart of the French Quarter, right on Jackson Square, and has an elegant and welcoming ambiance. Best for families with older kids, Tableau offers regional favorites like shrimp and grits, duck and andouille gumbo, and turtle soup.
  • NOLA Poboys serves up these traditional sandwiches in many variations from hot roast beef with gravy to fried shrimp. They are open late and located right on Bourbon Street.
  • New Orleans Creole Cookery is the spot when you are craving Creole favorites like jambalaya. Go for the Taste of New Orleans and you’ll get jambalaya, crawfish étouffée, shrimp creole, and red beans & rice.

Best Spot for Pralines

  • You can find “New Orleans’ Best Pralines” advertised on just about every street corner but we recommend you head to Laura’s Candies to try out this special treat. Here you’ll be able to try a number of different types of creamy pralines, fudge, fruit jelly slices, and more.

Where to Stay in New Orleans with Kids

inside a room at Westin New Orleans

The Westin New Orleans is perfectly located for all your New Orleans adventures. Get a room with a river view and you’ll be able to watch the comings and goings of the steamboats and streetcars. You’ll be within walking distance of the French Quarter and just steps away from the Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium. We found the rooms to be spacious and the staff super helpful at providing directions or recommendations. The location worked well because it was easy to get to everything in the French Quarter but you were away from the loud nightlife.

Want more information about New Orleans?

@k8loweth

New Orleans faves #neworleans #neworleansfood #neworleanslouisiana #louisiana #travel #traveltiktok #travellife #travelwithkids #nola #neworleansthingstodo

♬ Down in New Orleans – Fritzel’s New Orleans Jazz Band

Visit the New Orleans & Company website for more information on what to do when visiting New Orleans, activities happening while you are there, new openings, and more.

Online: neworleans.com

—all photos and videos by the writer

 

Editor’s note: This trip was paid for by New Orleans & Co. but all opinions belong to the writer. 

Give your kids the independence they want with these meal ideas they can make without assistance

Summer mealtime can be a drag for parents as kids waffle between “I’m bored!” and “I’m hungry!” Adding meal preparation to an already busy schedule is something we’d all like to avoid. We’ve rounded up simple recipes for kids that include everything from quesadillas to pinwheels to breakfast tacos. From preschoolers to teens, kids can feel good about preparing their own meals this summer and you’ll have one less thing on your to-do list.

Easy Meals Preschoolers Can Prepare

Rainbow Fruit Kebabs

Kids of any age can whip up fruit kabobs for an easy and healthy snack. For preschoolers, keep a bowl of cut-up fruit in the fridge (or just buy a pre-chopped bowl like we do) and skewers on hand. When the hangries arrive, let your littles have fun making their own fruit skewers. Extra points for dips like yogurt or whipped cream!

 

Nutella or Peanut Butter & Banana on Bread

Volodymyr Hryshchenko/Unsplash

Little hands will be able to put together an easy snack like this. Just use any kind of bread (we like pita because it’s a little more sturdy), smear with peanut butter or Nutella, then top with sliced bananas. This is a great option for preschoolers because both the spread and bananas can be prepared using a non-sharp knife.

Related: 21 Easy Recipes That Even Picky Eaters Will Like

 

Fruit Parfaits

meals kids can make themselves

Tanaphong Toochinda

It can’t get much easier than combining yogurt, fruit, and maybe even granola (we prefer Nilla Wafers) into the easy snack that is a parfait. The great part is there’s no chopping required if you use small berries and each kid can customize their own.

 

Easy Meals Elementary School Kids Can Prepare

Quesadilla

If your kids can use the microwave, they can whip up a quesadilla! Just layer cheese between two tortillas and microwave until the cheese is melted. This is a great option if you have multiple kids in the house who might prefer their own toppings since everyone can take a turn customizing their own ‘dilla.

 

Oatmeal

meals kids can make themselves

Arianka Ibarra/Unsplash

Whether it’s a pack of instant oatmeal or you trust your elementary-age kids on the stove, oatmeal is a great breakfast, snack, or lunch option they can make on their own. Add a dollop of peanut butter, sliced fruit, or chocolate chips to give it a whole new taste.

 

Nachos

At the bare minimum, your kids can whip up a plate of nachos with just two ingredients (cheese & chips). If they want to get fancy, feel free to have them pile on the olives, pico, and anything else they want after a quick spin in the microwave.

 

Ramen

Ramen is a great meal kids can make on themselves because you can either do a Cup Noodle, and avoid the stove by heating water in a kettle, or use the brick Ramen option that cooks in just a few minutes. Either way, make sure your older kids are mature enough to handle using hot water in the kitchen.

Related: 20 Global Recipes Your Kids Should Try at Least Once

 

Easy Mac or Mac & Cheese

iStock

A picky eater’s dream, macaroni and cheese is a good meal option a kid can have in their arsenal. You can go the super easy route by buying Easy Mac, which can be made in the microwave, or teach your older kids how to safely navigate a stovetop recipe. Better yet, try out an Instant Pot version!

 

Bean & Cheese Burritos

meals kids can make themselves

Chelsea’s Messy Apron

Pop open a can of either refried or black beans, heat on the stove or microwave, then combine with cheese in a tortilla. Lunch is served!

 

Fruit Tacos

If your kids go more for the sweet than the savory, these fruit tacos might be a good DIY meal, especially for breakfast.

 

Easy Meals Teens Can Prepare

Texas Toast Garlic Bread Pizza

meals kids can make themselves

Rasa Malaysia

If there’s one meal most kids will never turn down, it’s pizza. This recipe for Texas Toast Garlic Bread Pizza lets them avoid making a mess by trying to flip and spin the dough. Just grab some of the thick bread and top with sauce, cheese, and toppings before going in the toaster oven or airfryer.

 

Turkey & Cheese Pinwheels

The last thing any kid wants during the summer is a sandwich thanks to a school year long’s worth of lunches. Skip the bread with these turkey and cheese pinwheels which just require some layering of ingredients, a quick roll up, and some slicing to give that fun shape. Not a turkey fan? Your kids can make it with ham, roast beef, hummus, veggies, or even just PB&J.

 

Old Man Bagel

Can you kids toast their own bagel and add cream cheese? Sure. But can they make an Old Man Bagel that’s even more fulfilling? YES! All you need to do is top a toasted bagel with cream cheese, avocado, and some lemon pepper seasoning to give your breakfast, lunch, or snack (because really, we could eat a bagel any time of the day) a step up.

 

Smoothies

Lemons Zest

Breakfast, snack, or lunch—a smoothie is always a good option an older kiddo can whip up. So long as you keep the ingredients on hand like spinach, banana, and other frozen fruits and you teens know how to safely operate a blender, this is a great option they can do on their own. Check out our post on some great recipes here.

Italian submarine? Pastrami on rye? Classic BLT? Sandwiches are the perfect on-the-go lunch, park and picnic snack, not to mention, is a favorite meal option when you just don’t want to cook dinner that night. Good thing the Bay Area has some amazing delis. Here’s our must-stop spots whether you’re hitting up a play date or when you’re about to hit the road.

Best Delis around San Francisco

https://www.instagram.com/p/CfewOzsP9lo/?hidecaption=true

Clancey’s Market and Deli - Outer Sunset 
Clancey’s is a convenience store and deli and in true, old-school manner, doesn’t have a website but rather, uses Facebook instead. Our suggestion on what to nosh? Owner Sean and master sandwich maker Raul's "The Raging Cajun"—a must-try with cajun turkey and jalapenos. For the kids? Keep it classic with their BLT with avocado. 

Submarine Center - West Portal
This small, low-key Italian-style deli has perfected the combination of toasted bread and sauce—not too much and not too little. The roast beef is literally, "everyone's favorite."

Deli Board SF - SoMa
What started as a catering business took off and became a very popular sandwich spot in the city. Their “Sando Boards” all come with pickles on the side (check out "The Board for daily specials). Our sando pick? The "Carlze"—Romanian pastrami, brisket, provolone, cherry peppers, pickles, cole slaw, Board sauce on a garlic french roll. And for the kids? The "Stephanie"—tuna salad, bacon, American cheeses, sprouts, pickles, Board sauce on a french roll. 

Freddie’s Sandwiches - North Beach
With more than 20 different sandwich combinations on the menu, there is definitely something for everyone here. The Italian Combo is a winner, being in North Beach and all. Picky eaters will love the simple ham and cheese that is big on flavor. We love their "Skip the line, order online" feature—clutch with hangry kids in tow.

Best Delis in the East Bay

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Star Meats - Berkeley 
For quality meat on a roll, you can’t go wrong with a butcher shop and deli in one. Sandwiches change daily, depending on what's in store, and are available until sold out. Try the Raging Bull (turkey, salami and olives) on Sun., or the My Cousin Vinny (ham and mozzarella) on Tues. You can also call ahead to reserve a sandwich to guarantee you'll have your favorite before they sell out. 

Cheese ‘N’ Stuff - Berkeley
This East Bay deli is all about creating sandwiches that even the pickiest easter will love (there's a reason it's been voted 'Best Deli' since 1996!). Our favorite part? Sandwiches are stacked high with meat and cheese for the low price of $5. Now that’s hard to beat. 

Luigi’s Italian Deli - Concord
Luigi’s has been making sandwiches for over 40 years and is still going strong. We like the "Enrico Caruso" with roast beef and garlic mayo and the "Italian Dagwood" for a classic Italian sub while the kids will adore "Claire's Club Melt." They also have salads and fresh pasta which are equally delicious. 

Bara’s Deli - San Leandro
Family run since 1986, Bara’s deli is a favorite with East Bay families (and touted as East Bay's best kept secret—until now that is). The sandwiches are piled high, and classics like the Ruben and BLT are always a great choice. For specialty subs, check out "The Godfather" (Italian) and customer-inspired creations like the "Bam Bam" (roast beef and gouda) and the "Mario Brother" (meatball). For kids, you can't go wrong with the "Ultimate Grilled Cheese"—a grilled ciabatta filled with provolone, cheddar, muenster and havarti.

Best Delis on the Peninsula

The Sandwich Spot - Redwood City
Whether you choose the weekly special, an on-the-menu item or get your daily veggies allowance with the Mean Lean Veggie Machine, all of the sandwiches at this hip and cool Redwood City deli are downright delicious. Make a special trip on Wed. for "Coco’s Tri-Tip" special. 

Little Luca Specialty Shop - South San Francisco
While the deli is unassuming on the outside, this small, family-owned shop is a favorite and always draws a queue. The subs are big (enough to share between two people or more) and the secret sauce—garlic and hot pepper—which really makes these subs stand out from the rest. 

Golden 9th Deli - San Mateo
For a no-fuss ham and cheese on white bread that both kids and adults will love, Golden 9th is your place (not to mention one of the friendliest owners around). The cheese to meat to bread ratio is spot on and while you won’t get fancy sandwich combos here, you're guaranteed the best tasting classic sandwiches bar none.

Two Cousins Deli - Belmont
This family-owned business delivers sandwiches that are plentiful, and the chip wall is stacked with your favorite kind. We love the "Ham Pachino" and "Veggie Time" but they can also make a simple turkey and swiss for the kiddos. Bonus: they have breakfast sandwiches too.

Best Delis in the South Bay

 

Ike’s Love and Sandwiches - San Jose
This beloved sandwich spot with locations all over the Bay Area had to make our list. Every location has a slightly different menu, and we love the funky decor and creative names and combinations. The "Steph Curry" is a turkey and BBQ sauce sandwich, "Reading Rainbow" is all about the colorful veggies, and the "Matt Cain" has won a "Fanwich Award" for best sports sandwich. 

Beach Hut Deli - Morgan Hill
With locations all over California, the deli decor alone will transport you to a sandy beach with surfboards and palm trees no matter how far from the ocean you may be. The sandwiches are fantastic, with creative names like "Surfin’ Bird," "Beach Comber" and "Santa Cruz." Grab a seat outside under an umbrella and pretend you’re on vacation.

California Sourdough - San Jose
This San Jose deli has a pretty big following, with their classic sandwiches costing a $10 flat rate. Whether it’s roast beef, pastrami, or turkey, there's something for everyone in the family. Leave your credit card at home, this is a cash-only deli. 

Crust - Milpitas
For those sandwich lovers who are all about hot, freshly baked sourdough bread, check out this deli located in Milpitas. Know as one of the best in town, choose the turkey and salami sandwich known as "The Royal," and for the kids, order the "Three Cheese Ultimate." 

Best Delis in the North Bay & Marin County

Rozmary Kitchen - San Rafael
Catch these sandwiches at the farmer’s market on Thur. and Sun., or at Midwife and the Baker on Fri. The menu is small, with just five items but somehow covers all the cravings. The "K-Town" is a roast beef and poblano kimchi combo that will have you coming back for seconds while "Noni’s Eggplant" with eggplant, tomatoes and burrata is a refreshing as it sounds. You just can’t go wrong. 

Picnicky’s - Vallejo
For a sandwich that is made exactly how you want and perfectly packaged to eat on the go, stop by Picnicky’s before your next road trip. Of course their specialty sandwiches like the "Grand Salami" or "Mr. Cowboy" are well worth the drive to Vallejo—road trip or not.  

Davey Jones Deli - Sausalito
We love a menu that is grouped by type of meat or veggies. And best part? The ingredients are fresh, thoughtfully sourced and "will you make you strong like a lion." We like the "Vulcan Wrap" for vegans and the "Standard" for brisket lovers. 

Michael’s Sourdough - Novato
Freshly baked sourdough bread with its own starter is made daily at this North Bay deli, taking these sandwiches to a whole other level. With locations in Novato and San Rafael, we recommend trying the "Golden Gate" (turkey and ham combo), or the "Dusty Dog" with chicken and apple sausage with swiss cheese on sourdough bread.

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Eating out with the kids doesn’t have to be a drag. There are some amazing themed restaurants around Los Angeles and they’re as big a feast for the eyes as they are for the tummies (you won’t need an iPad here!). We’ve searched high and low for the best of the best from pirate themed dinner adventures to magic-filled brunches—it’s like a chose your own adventure, only you get to eat too. Check ‘em out below and don’t blame us if dining out becomes your family’s new favorite way to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Best Themed Restaurants in LA for Kids: The Proud Bird Food Bazaar

kid-friendly themed restaurants in LA
The Proud Bird Food Bazaar

If your kid is into planes, then look no further than the Proud Bird. Check out the fiberglass replicas of famous planes and the playground, then head inside to the self-serve food court featuring six kitchens dishing out around-the world fare. Try Asian inspired fried rice, a pulled pork sandwich, or a hot from the oven pizza. Sit inside, or enjoy the open air patio. Either one will give you great views of the replica planes and other aviation memorabilia. Don't forget to grab an Aviation Cocktail (or other adult-friendly drink) from The Mile High Bar and Lounge. 

Insider Tip: If you’re not feeling a sit down meal, you can swing by the In-and-Out on Sepulveda. While it’s not airplane themed, you can eat car side and still see the planes flying overhead.

11022 Aviation Blvd.
Westchester
Online: theproudbird.com

Best Themed Restaurants in LA for Kids: American Girl Cafe

Get ready to step into the land of dolls—American Girl dolls that is. Everyone that has or wants one of these dolls is going to want a chance to eat at this oh-so-cute cafe. Browse outfits and accessories downstairs, then head upstairs for brunch, lunch, tea, or dinner. But the tea is the true star. Eat dainty tea sandwiches and sip tea from real cups and saucers—pinkies up! Your doll is graciously invited as well. There will be a place set just for her with a high chair and mini place settings.

Insider Tip: Make reservations. While walk-ins are welcomed, this place can get packed with birthday parties and other special events. And for now, the cafe is only open Fri.-Sun. 

189 The Grove Dr.
Los Angeles
Online: americangirl.com

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Best Themed Restaurants in LA for Kids: Medieval Times

Melissa Heckscher

Hear ye, hear ye: There's a reason Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament has been around for over three decades. It's got everything kids love: Animals (horses!), competition (jousting!), and simple food (that you eat with your hands, no less!). New for this year, the king who has ruled over the tournament since the show's inception has been replaced by... A queen! In our opinion, this just makes the show better since it will woo young girls who may have been turned off by the otherwise completely-male cast.

Does your little one like horses? Swords? Screaming as loud as she can for the sake of fun? Perfect. The rollicking, two-hour "tournament" showcases knights on horseback competing in a variety of Medieval competitions, all of which will have your dining section proudly cheering on its assigned team. The sparsely intertwined dialogue is a little hard to understand at times—but who cares! There are knights on horseback! With weapons! That, and you'll be slightly distracted by the four-course meal served on metal plates, without utensils while you spectate. The food is better than you might expect, though when all is said and done, most rave reviews will still be for the knights. 

Note: The tournament culminates in a final knight-against-knight battle that'll have your kids riveted. This means, of course, that there are tons of choreographed battle scenes involving swords, flails, and axes, so if you don't like the idea of your kids watching actors get knocked to the ground by props, you may want to give the show a pass. In our opinion, the final scenes were the most fun (and this writer's 6 and 8-year-old boys we unfazed by the battles).

Expect to be inundated with opportunities to open your wallet, because opportunity awaits from the get-go, whether they be photo ops and souvenir cups or light-up swords and dragon claw necklaces. There's even a Knights Templar suit of armor for $3,800 and a full armory of metal swords that cost upwards of $125, so, yeah: Everything is for sale. Our advice: Be ready to channel your inner "No" voice unless you're up for a full-on, spoil-the-kids "knight out." That said, the $5 Medieval Times flag is worth getting since your kids will be excitedly waving it nearly the entire show. And, as for whether you need the "VIP seating package," remember every spot in the 1,100-seat arena offers a fantastic view of the show.

If you're planning a trip to Medieval Times for dinner, why not make it a day trip and check out these other fun things to do in Buena Park!

7662 Beach Blvd. 
Buena Park
Online: www.medievaltimes.com

Best Themed Restaurants in LA for Kids: Pirate's Dinner Adventure

In case you haven't noticed, Orange County has a thing for themed restaurants (and Buena Park itself has a surprisingly ton of fun things to do with kids). But located practically RIGHT NEXT DOOR to Medieval Times (because if you like one, you're bound to like the other, right?), is Pirate's Dinner Adventure. This restaurant sets out to entertain little seafarers with a swashbuckling dinner show that kids will love, especially if they're fans of Captain Hook, Jack Sparrow, or the Neverland Pirates. Your kids will be sold the moment they walk into the main arena and see the stage, a massive pirate ship set that makes the whole place feel small in comparison. Of course, the journey (and spending opportunities) begin way before the theater doors open. Get there 90 minutes early to enjoy a selection of free appetizers which include fried zucchini, fried corn cakes, and other fried stuff that kids will love and you'll love for the sake of it being free. Then, about 30 minutes before showtime, there's the Pirate's "Pre-Show," which gets everyone warmed up to the story (someone is kidnapped!) and ends with a pirate-led walk into the theater. 

The show itself is a mixture of choreographed sword battles, short songs, silly pirate banter (including at least two cues for the audience to raise their mugs and "Drink! Drink!"), and circus-style performances including two aerial silk acts and a trampoline bit that'll make kids wish they could go up on stage and jump around. There's also a whole lot of fighting, though we found it harmless enough, and even kids will be able to see that the stage fights are, well, staged (many of the "hits" were noticeably a few inches off). The story is a bit hard to follow: The princess has been kidnapped! But wait, she's in love with a pirate! And oh, there's the Loch Ness Monster! It's, honestly, a bit all over the place, but your kids will be riveted just the same. 

Like Medieval Times, everyone gets a pirate to root for, which gives kids a vested interest in paying attention (and makes the whole thing a lot more fun). So wear your team bandana proudly, Mom and Dad!. If your kids are lucky, they may even get a chance to go on stage; about 30 kids in total are called up at various parts throughout the show. Bring a zoom lens: Your little pirates might be taken backstage, dressed in adorable costumes, then brought back on stage far from where you're sitting. And you'll want pictures. Trust us.   

As for the food, which (like Medieval Times) is included in the ticket price: It's good for what it is. Just keep in mind you're here to be wowed by the pirates; not the potatoes. Your meal starts with a choice of soup or salad; entrees include roasted chicken with shrimp and vegetable skewers, mashed potatoes and mixed veggies. Kids meals include chicken nuggets with mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and fruit. Cake is the dessert (and our kids literally licked their plates). Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals are available.

Note: We think the show is appropriate for kids over 5, though sensitive kids or those who don't like loud noises may get scared at the cannon blasts and the appearance of a sea monster toward the end of the show.  

7600 Beach Blvd.
Buena Park
Online: piratesdinneradventureca.com

Best Themed Restaurants in LA for Kids: Miceli's

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie—not only is it amore, it's probably because you're at Micele's, one of Hollywood's oldest Italian joints. These guys serve up pipping hot pizzas, fresh made pastas, and gigantic melt in your mouth meatballs all on old school red and white checkered table clothes.

If you happen to order a bottle of chianti for the table, you'll get to sign it and have it hung up with the rest of them. Just look up to see the hundreds of bottles hanging along the ceiling. But the highlight has to be the entertainment. Be sure to get a seat near the piano player who not only takes requests but sings too. And don't be surprised if your waitress walks over to get in on the musical action. 

Insider Tip: The servings are huge, so think about sharing and don't forget to save room for dessert like fresh baked cannoli and spumoni ice cream. Parking is free with validation, a big plus on a crowded night in Hollywood.

1646 N Las Palmas Ave.
Hollywood
Online: micelis.restaurant

Best Themed Restaurants in LA for Kids: The Magic Castle

The Magic Castle c/o Vicki Greenleaf

Little magicians will love everything about this place, from their first steps inside (through a secret door behind the bookcase) to the roster of magical performances they can see during their visit (there's a show every 45 minutes!). The first trick? Getting in. Sadly, you have to be a member or be invited by a member, to be admitted into the castle. But, this is LA, where everyone knows someone who knows someone! And up-and-coming magicians are usually more than happy to fill the seats to their shows. So ask around and we bet you have a friend who has a magician's number in their phone. You can also make a weekend of it: Guests of the next-door Magic Castle Hotel get an automatic pass to the Castle. 

Dinner at the Castle is offered nightly, but for the sake of your kids' bedtime, we recommend going for the Sunday brunch, which offers a slew of kid-friendly faves including chicken tenders, grilled cheese, waffles and French fries. Of course, no magic is needed to get the kids to finish dessert, a sugary buffet that includes a self-serve ice cream station and trays of sweets. Once you've eaten, you can head down for the show and/or explore the nooks and crannies of the place. Don't miss out on the ghostly piano player, which takes requests.

Note: Your meal includes a ticket to the main stage show, which is the biggest and most extravagant of the shows, but hang around for more; there are two other stages where smaller close-up magic acts take place. If your kids are lucky, they'll be chosen as magician's assistants (sitting in the first few rows helps). And FYI: The dress code is strictly enforced. If your attire is not up to snuff, you'll be asked to change. 

Read our review of brunch at the Magic Castle

7001 Franklin Ave.
Hollywood
Online: magiccastle.com

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc8m0C1Px8G/?hidecaption=true

Best Themed Restaurants in LA for Kids: Button Mash

Old school video games are at the center of entertainment at Button Mash. Think: PacMan, Street Fighter, Donkey Kong, Moon Walker, a dozen or so pinball machines. And yes, the adults might be just as excited as the kids to get their hands on these machines. Got shorty kids that can't reach the controls? There are step stools available for the vertically challenged.

The set up is easy—play the games via a provided card to swipe each game and the cost is put on your bill. No need for tokens or a bags of quarters. Don't forget to eat though! The asian fusion menu has must-haves like crispy tofu balls, spam fried rice, and dan dan noodles. And definitely save room for dessert because the five spice apple fritters and brick toast are not to be missed.

Insider Tip: Button Mash is all ages until 9 p.m., so go early to get your game on.

1391 Sunset Blvd.
Echo Park
Online: buttonmashla.com

—Melissa Heckscher & Christina Fiedler

Feature image: The Proud Bird

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With road trips on everybody’s minds, we’re all searching for those quirky roadside stops full of a little weird and a lot of fun. These unique destinations are the perfect excuse to get off the beaten path and stretch out your road-weary legs. Just in case post-pandemic life wasn’t odd enough for you already, we’re rounding up the top roadside oddities in the DMV.

Marty Snook Magical Woods

Visit Hagerstown

Like a little Scandinavian forest tucked inside a distant DC burb, the Martin L. Snook Memorial Park, better known as the Marty Snook Magical Woods, featured expertly carved gnomes and trolls alongside wooden play structures like a wavy bridge and a treehouse.  This Hagerstown park opened just last year and has become an influencer favorite for capturing magical memories. These are the kind of trolls you want on your feed!

Where: 17901 Halfway Blvd., Hagerstown, MD 21740
Online: washco-md.net

Johnny Monarch's

Tricia T. via Yelp

In under an hour, take a trip across the pond to Johnny Monarch's, a busaurant (not a food truck!) in pastoral Loudoun Co. This fully operational double decker bus was built in the 1960s and once traveling the route from Yorkshire to Manchester. As a nod to the era it was created in, the upper deck (which seats 20) features photographs from the '60s. Many of the dishes are served TV dinner style, like meatloaf and roast beef. You'll also find lots of vegetarian options and a few kid-friendly picks, like PB & J and grilled cheese sandwiches. 

Where:  8374 W Main St, Marshall, VA 20115
Online: https://www.johnnymonar.ch/

 

The Big Chair

Tod Eytan, MD

Once an ad for a big furniture store, this chair sculpture located at the intersection of Martin Luther King Ave. and V. St. SE is a fun, oversized photo op for your family. The chair, which stands 19 ½ feet high and is made of aluminum. It weighs in at over two tons. Built in 1959 by a Virginia-based furniture maker, the ginormous chair stood to draw in customers. It drew notoriety when a local artist lived on the chair for 42 days without coming down. Now, it still stands to draw locals for a fun roadside stop.

Martin Luther King Ave. and V St. SE
Historic Anacostia 

Zero Milestone

Wikipedia

Modeled after a similar milestone in Rome, the Zero Milestone symbolizes the United States' road system's effectiveness. It's an inscribed granite block, set inside a big brass compass on the sidewalk, about four feet high. It serves as the exact spot from which all roads in the country would be measured. That idea was an epic fail, but it still stands as a symbol of the cross-country road system that connects us all.

Ellipse Rd NW
National Mall

Q Street Barbies

Alexas Photos via Pixabay

Do you have a Barbie-lover in your house? Then, you need to stop at this quirky doll hangout. With every new holiday, those in-the-know flock to get a look at this ever-changing display of dolls in front of a local building. The setup makes it look like the figures are growing up out of the dirt. Neighbors have strong opinions on the display, but it is still a fun stop for your next local road trip.

1454 ½ Q St NW
Logan Circle 

NASA Goddard Rocket Garden

NASA Goddard/Tabatha Luskey

Blast off with this roadside attraction. The "Rocket Garden" located right behind the visitor center and features a large green space filled with decommissioned rockets and educational plaques. Among the rockets on display is an Apollo capsule used for training astronauts before missions and a huge Thor Delta-B rocket weighing in at just under 115,000 pounds.

Insider tip: While you're there, check out the Goddard Space Flight Center

9432 Greenbelt Rd.
Lanham, MD
Online: nasa.gov

Municipal Fish Market

Vincent L. via Yelp

Don't miss the oldest continuously operating fish market in the country! You'll probably smell and hear this stop before you see it. In operation since 1805, the majority of the seafood sellers here have been hawking the bounty of the sea for decades, possibly generations. Your little foodie will love the fantastic selection at this market. Chinese octopus and Chilean seas bass are ready to be wrapped and taken home for a family dinner. Want a break from cooking dinner? That's OK! This is a full-service market where vendors will cook the seafood to order.

1100 Maine Ave. SW
District Warf, Under the I-395 overpass
Online: wharfdc.com

Beyond the Beltway

Kiptopeke's Concrete Fleet

Angelica Kajiwara via Toddlin' Across America

Cape Charles is a beautiful family-friendly beach town perfect for any getaway with your crew. While you're there, check out the fleet of ghost ships in the Chesapeake Bay. The eerie-looking vessels consist of 9 of the 24 concrete ships made during World War II. The sunken ships serve as a breakwater to protect the pier and beach and a home for tons of local sea life. If you want an up-close look at this super cool site, rent a kayak, and you'll be all set to paddle out for a better view.

Kiptopeke State Park
Cape Charles, VA 
Online: dcr.virginia.gov

The Ruins of Presidents Park

Wikipedia

Check the website for special events at this location. It is on private property, and you'll need a ticket for this one. What once was a ten-acre sculpture park and museum is now a vast field of 18-to-20-foot-high busts of Presidents of the United States, many in disrepair but so cool to see. In 2017, National Geographic featured a video of the current owner discussing this historic exhibit's future. He'd like to restore the statues to their former glory.

8212 Croaker Rd
Williamsburg, VA
Online: thepresidentialexperiece.com

—Meghan Yudes Meyers and Angelica Kajwara

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Mama Mia! Whether you’re craving an Italian sub so good it could solve the world’s problems or you want mouthwatering meatballs that’ll make you ugly cry with delight, we’ve put together a list of the best Italian delis in LA to take the kids. These tasty eateries will fill your belly and soul with great food and warm service that feels like family. Mangia!

Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery

best italian delis around LA
Winnie L. via Yelp

All hail "The Godmother"—Bay Cities's signature sub and after one bite, you'll realize why. Stacked high with ham, capicola, mortadella, genoa salami, provolone cheese and the works, it rates as one of the top sandwiches in town. In addition to the classic sub, Bay Cities serves up dozens of amazing hot and cold sandwiches and sides, along with fresh sliced meats and cheeses that will make your mouth water. Hot Tip: Bay Cities only accepts cash or debit cards—no credit cards.

What to Order the Kids: We’d be remiss if we didn’t strongly recommend ordering the iconic sandwich, The Godmother, but kids might also enjoy the Caprese sandwich or the hot chicken parmesan.

1517 Lincoln Blvd.
Santa Monica
Online: order.bcdeli.com

Ggiata Delicatessen

Best Italian Delis in Los Angeles
Mike C. via Yelp

Drawing inspiration from traditional East Coast neighborhood delis, Ggiata Delicatessen features some of the most incredible Italian-style deli fare this side of Jersey. Their success comes from a great blend of culinary talent and high-quality ingredients sourced from local vendors. With a fantastic selection of sandwiches, salads and sides, it’s no wonder they’ve become one of the most well regarded delis in town. Don’t miss their Rainbow cookies either—they’re some of the best.

What to Order the Kids: The Chicken Parm (order the Spicy P for yourself!), a side of Arancini (fried risotto cheese balls) and of course Rainbow cookies for dessert! 

5009 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles
Online: ggiata.com

Eastside Italian Deli

Joseph A. via Yelp

A DTLA staple for over 90 years, award-winning Eastside Italian Deli is known for its rich family history and its to-die-for sandwiches—the most popular being the #7 Roast Beef, Pastrami & Cheese. Can't make it downtown? Another storefront location is open in Los Feliz, where even more folks will have an opportunity to find out why this deli is consistently ranked as one of the tastiest in town.

What to Order the Kids: The Italian Meatball with cooked peppers and cheese is a good choice if little ones are super hungry or, for something lighter, order the turkey and cheese sub.

1013 Alpine St.
Los Angeles
Online: esmdeli.com

Mario’s Italian Deli & Market

Best Italian delis in Los Angeles
Michael D. via Yelp

Voted one of the best delis in LA year after year, you can see why Mario’s Italian Deli & Market gets raves with their impressive selection delicious subs, hot sandwiches, Italian wines and rare imported items. Also, they put together incredible catering spreads, so definitely keep them in mind for the upcoming holiday season.

What to Order the Kids: You can’t go wrong with their Spaghetti and Meatballs or for more daring kiddos, check out their Spicy Combo Sub which is big enough for two to share.

740 E Broadway
Glendale
Online: mariosdeli.com

Cavaretta’s Italian Deli

Best Italian Delis in LA
Claudia B. via Yelp

Holy cannoli, Cavaretta’s Italian Deli in Canoga Park truly has some of the best cannolis in town, hands down. Serving the community since 1959, Cavaretta’s is known for its super friendly hospitality where everyone is treated like family and of course they're known for their amazing food. From fresh Italian subs and hand-rolled meatballs to a great selection of curated items throughout the store, it’s an experience not to be missed.

What to Order the Kids: Their famous cannolis of course!

22045 Sherman Way
Canoga Park
Online: cavarettasdeli.com

—Jennifer O’Brien

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During the last year, Asian American-owned restaurants have had to weather both the pandemic and unfortunate discrimination. There are so many local eateries with hardworking small business owners serving up delicious food that showcases their culture, that deserve the community’s support. Here are ten Asian American-owned restaurants around the Bay Area, some of them newly opened, some of them hidden gems, all of which are worth a visit.

1. United Dumplings

Anita Chu

United Dumplings, a newly-opened restaurant in Bernal Heights, San Francisco, focuses on Beijing cuisine like dumplings and noodles, updated with global flavors. Owners Sandy Zheng and Julia Zhu grew up in Northern China and wanted to share their love of traditional Chinese dumplings, as well as some more creative fusion creations that reflect their life experiences. Don’t miss the traditional XLB (xiao long bao), pork potstickers, and spicy Sichaun wontons,  as well as the more unique dishes like the Mission cheese pot stickers, filled with chicken, corn, and mozzarella cheese, Korean BBQ dumplings, and wontons filled with mac and cheese for the kids.

525 Cortland Ave
SF, CA
Online: uniteddumplings.com

2. Socola Chocolatier

Socola Chocolatier

Socola means “chocolate” in Vietnamese, and Socola Chocolatier has been producing amazing handmade chocolates and confections under the helm of co-founder Wendy Lieu. She started out with just a few Vietnamese inspired flavors, but in the last year has really embraced celebrating her heritage through her chocolate. The Little Saigon Box features 12 beautifully decorated truffles in some iconic Vietnamese flavors like pho, sriracha, lychee, and even durian. They've also released Mother's Day collections on their website of their bestselling truffles - the perfect gift for Mom.

535 Folsom St.
SF, CA
Online: socolachocolates.com

3. Maison Danel

Maison Danel
Anita Chu

Maison Danel is owners Danel and David de Betelu’s dream come true of a French patisserie in the heart of San Francisco. Their beautiful, ornate space is both a bakery and a tea salon, serving up classic pastries like butter croissants and pain au chocolat, and traditional brasserie fare like quiche and cassoulet. Their signature tea service features a mouthwatering selection of tea sandwiches, mini pastries, and confections served with a pot of hot tea. There’s even a kiddie size version of the tea service served with hot chocolate, so take your kids out for an afternoon tea.

1030 Polk St
SF, CA
Online: maisondanel.com

4. Number5Kitchen

Number5Kitchen is the perfect homey yet elevated neighborhood restaurant in downtown San Carlos. Started by chef/owner Henry Eng, the constantly changing menu showcases local ingredients in dishes like wild nettle soup, Pacific petrale sole, and Dungeness crab pasta. They also offer some simple pasta dishes for kids like mac and cheese. In May, they have a pop up Saturday special, featuring a burger or sandwich (including grilled cheese for the kids), soup, and salad.

663 Laurel St.
San Carlos, CA
Online: number5kitchen.com

5. Lazy Susan

Lazy Susan is here to satisfy your Chinese takeout cravings with their menu of 25 classic Chinese American dishes. The difference, as owner Hanson Li, explains, is that they’ve been updated to make them healthier and perhaps even tastier. Many of the dishes are vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free, which is welcome news to Chinese food lover with food restrictions. You’ll recognize many or most of the items offered, from General Tso’s chicken and broccoli beef to chicken chow mein, all of them super friendly to little kids’ palates. They also offer an Impossible mapo tofu and their signature crispy chicken wings

208 Fell St
SF, CA
Online: lazysusanchinese.com

6. Saga Kitchen

Saga Kitchen is an Asian food hall that is bringing together food startups and the Asian community. Several budding restaurants decided to band together and work under one roof, including Sachi (sushi), Yue Club (dim sum), and Koharu (Japanese), along with a boba shop. Check for guest pop-ups like GoKiyoi Macarons. There are lots of kid friendly choices, including barbecued pork buns, potstickers, chicken karaage, and katsu sandwiches.

1707 Lincoln Ave.
Alameda, CA 
Online: sagakitchenscom.wordpress.com

7. Bake Sum

Bake Sum

Bake Sum bakery started as a pandemic project for pastry chef Joyce Tang and combines her classic French pastry training with Asian flavors like ube, Vietnamese coffee, and yuzu. Their signature item is their Bake Sum Box, a weekly collection of seasonal pastries often inspired by Tang’s childhood favorites. You can pre-order the box, along with individual pastries like cookies and breads on the website for pick up at several Bay Area locations every Friday and Saturday.

Pickup at several locations around the Bay Area

Online: bakesum.com

8. Tuna Kahuna

Anita Chu

This sleek and modern eatery in downtown Burlingame has some of the most beautiful and creative poke bowls around. Although you can create your bowls just like most poke shops, Tuna Kahuna prides themselves on their original creations, which use the freshest, high quality fish and toppings like cured egg yoiks, yuzu truffle sauce, and red pepper paste. They also offer a seasonal chef’s box – call to order.

1117 Burlingame Ave
Burlingame, CA
Online: tunakahuna.co

9. Manila Bowl

Manila Bowl, located in the Market in the Twitter building in San Francisco, offers authentic Filipino cuisine takeout style, in easy to grab and go rice bowls. Owner Frances Tanchanco, whose mother runs a successful restaurant chain in the Philipines, presents classic dishes like sisig, adobo, and lechon over brown or jasmine rice with side salad for a complete meal in a bowl. You can customize with extra meat, an egg, or additional salad. It’s a simple way to get introduced to the best of Filipino cuisine.

1355 Market St.
SF, CA
Online: manilabowl.com

10. Lily

The just-opened Lily on Clement presents a more upscale, innovative take on Vietnamese food, like duck confit spring rolls, deluxe crab fried rice made with Wagyu beef and uni, and surf and turf garlic noodles. They also have some creative versions of banh mi, or Vietnamese sandwiches – don’t miss the turmeric fried fish sandwich and roast beef pho dip sandwiches. Their beautiful restaurant is open for dining, and also for takeout.

225 Clement St.
SF, CA
Online: lilyonclement.com

photos not by Anita Chu are provided by the respective businesses.

—Anita Chu

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Even if you begin your cruise vacation with the best of intentions, making healthy choices can be a challenge. The nightly dessert menu and 24-hour pizza and ice cream can get the best of even the most diligent efforts. So indulge. Enjoy. But find balance on your vacation with these simple tips for eating healthy on a cruise ship.

Cruises are one of the least expensive and most fun trips you can take with your family! One of the best parts about cruising is the food: the endless, decadent, bountiful array of dining options, enough to make your head spin and your stomach rumble! And moreover, food is included in the price when you book a cruise, so you have to get your money’s worth, right?

With so many restaurants and eateries on board to choose from, it’s easy to see how people can over-indulge. Cruise ships are notorious for offering lavish feasts at all hours of the day and night. And it wouldn’t be a true cruising experience if you didn’t partake a little. But with some easy tips you can make healthy choices that won’t leave you feeling left out of the fun.

Eating Healthy in the Dining Room

Every cruise ship has a formal dining room, where you can dress to the nines and enjoy a three-course meal nightly. Now I can tell you to order broiled fish instead of fried or steamed veggies instead of fries, but that’s Basic Healthy Eating 101. So here’s the deal.

Cruise lines have responded to requests for healthy choices by offering vegetarian, vegan, low-fat, gluten-free and sugar-free options in their main dining rooms. Your best tip for eating healthy in a cruise ship dining room is to introduce yourself to your waiter on the very first night and let him or her know your needs. Since you will likely have the same server throughout your trip and service is a cornerstone of any great cruise, they’ll remember your preferences.

Ask your server to be sure the kitchen staff is aware of your requests. Opt for healthy food choices and don’t be afraid to ask them to hold the sauce, the butter or whatever decadent thing they’re cooking with that night.

Don’t Be Shy

But don’t deprive yourself either, find a balance—have the juicy steak, but maybe opt for extra carrots instead of the mashed potatoes. Don’t miss out on the cheesecake, but maybe on a couple of nights try the sorbet instead. And if you’re going to have the omelet and pancakes for breakfast, maybe just a small salad for lunch. You get the idea!

All Hands on Deck 

Most cruise ships offer food and snacks poolside for guests to enjoy during the day. While burgers and BBQ are the norm, Carnival Cruises stepped it up a notch with their Blue Iguana Cantina, located on the Lido Deck.

My son and I recently cruised aboard the Carnival Inspiration with a girlfriend and her kids. And I have to be honest…the Blue Iguana was my favorite place to grab a bite. If it didn’t close each day at 6pm, we probably would have had dinner there most nights, too!

The Blue Iguana Cantina serves made to order burritos and tacos on homemade tortillas for breakfast and lunch. All of the ingredients are fresh and there is a toppings and salsa bar so you can customize to your taste. Chicken or fish tacos with lettuce, salsa, beans and guacamole are a delicious and healthy mid-day meal.

Cruise the Buffet 

Buffets offer you the opportunity to eat as much or as little and as healthy or unhealthy, as you want! So bring along your appetite and the willpower to make wise choices and you’ll be fine.

Salad bars as great places to fill your plate with veggies, fresh fruit, meats and cheeses. I took a Disney Cruise with my son last year and were delighted to find one of the best spreads of healthy choices at their buffet we’ve ever seen at sea.

Another area at the buffet that tends to have healthy options is the international foods section, where there may be a chef cooking stir-fry to order. Get lots of vegetables and ask the chef to go easy on the oil. You can also typically find steamed vegetables and a carving station at your ship’s buffet—opt for sliced turkey or lean roast beef and go easy on the gravy, which is often loaded with salt.

Hit the Juice Bar 

We’re seeing juice bars more and more on cruises. Although these are typically one of the few items you’ll have to pay extra for, you may find it worth the splurge for a healthy snack!

Many ships are also adding frozen yogurt options alongside their infamous soft serve ice cream machines. When we sailed on the Disney Wonder, the frozen yogurt machine was the definitely the healthy snack of choice each day.

Cruise the Ship’s Casual Eateries 

More relaxed than a formal dining room but a bit more fancy than poolside dining, more and more ships are embracing the notion of casual eateries on the board. And the good news is, they tend to offer lighter fare, while not skimping on flavor.

Celebrity Cruises has the AquaSpa Café. This casual eatery near the Solarium pool area on Solstice-class ships is ideal for light bites. Breakfast options include smoothies, yogurt parfaits, eggs and fresh fruit. For lunch, healthy choices include a watermelon and feta salad, steamed salmon and grilled chicken.

That is just one example. Many ships now have light fare eateries and some even feature sushi bars, which may or not come at an extra fee depending on the cruise line.

Bon voyage and bon appetite!

This post originally appeared on https://www.healthytravelmom.com.

I am a travel writer, wife, mother and believer in all things happy and healthy. I created my family travel website, CaliforniaFamilyTravel.com, to share the best tips, destinations and experiences in California and beyond for active, healthy families.