If you want to grab coffee and a quick bite in a cafe, the Teapot is a charming destination that will appeal to kids and parents alike. There are plenty of toys to keep your son oe daughter from losing focus (and letting you be one with your coffee), as well as a backyard so they can be free to roam and social distance. The restaurant is housed in a renovated space from 1906 and also has a garden that might give moms and dads breathing room. Food includes pastries, quiche and other cafe fare. Parents who have kids ages one- to eight-years-old will be required to purchase a $2 play ticket.

An outdoor escape is sometimes what both kids and parents need for a lunch or brunch. Luci’s at the Orchard has an outdoor splash pad that will help distract the kids while parents sip a Bloody Mary or mimosas. There are choices on the kids’ menu that will satisfy any picky eater including cheeseburger and fries, chicken strips and fries, or spaghetti and meatballs.

Kids are unable to resist the homemade tortillas at Chelsea’s Kitchen. This Phoenix-based bistro uses fresh and organic ingredients in its green Chile corn bread, vegetarian black bean burger, and chicken. The entrees for kids include macaroni and cheese, chicken tacos, or a salmon plate. Outdoor seating is lively and open. If you’re not too afraid to let your kids eat dessert first, there are cookie samples as soon as you walk into the restaurant.

The Morning Squeeze kids’ menu is designed for the pickiest eater. Kids can choose from the “I Don’t Care” grilled cheese sandwich with fries; the “I’m Not Hungry” eggs, bacon, and potatoes; or the “I Want To Go Home” mouse pancake. Each entrée comes with a choice of soda, juice or milk. The kids menu items are $8. Children will also get a coloring and puzzle sheet designed by local artist Jayarr Steiner and a “You Are Amazing” sticker. 

There’s no shortage of fun and (literally) games at Dave & Buster’s. Kids can try their luck at bowling, compete with their friends with various arcade games, and parents can relive the nostalgia of their youth with a few rounds of Skee-Ball. When the kids tire from the activities, the menu aims to fulfill their hunger with options like chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, pizza, and cheeseburgers. All kid’s entrees are less than $7.50.

Gilbert brewery O.H.S.O is here to please adults and children. There’s plenty of outdoor space for kids to run off their sugar buzz and games like corn hole and ping-pong to keep them busy. Bring the dog along, too, since the patio is pet-friendly. Kids can feast on burgers, sandwiches, fries, and, of course, macaroni and cheese.

Butterfield’s Pancake House & Restaurant is expansive with plenty of room in-between tables so that neighboring patrons won’t be bothered if your kid decides to have a meltdown. You will likely be able to pacify him with the kid’s menu. French toast sticks are $5.50, while pancakes are under $6. If your kid decides to add chocolate chips it’s only fifty-cents more. Those children who want to skip breakfast and go for lunch can choose between grilled cheese and chicken fingers. Both are served with a side of fries.

If parents are looking for fun and healthy options for their kids, Pita Jungle lets children build their own meal with a choice of a protein (turkey, chicken, hummus, lentils, tofu), a grain or carb, a vegetable with a side of seasonal fruit, and kid’s size drink. If there are any food allergies or restrictions, Pita Jungle has vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free choices. Parents also have a wide array of salads, shawarma, and wraps that will satisfy the need for solid Mediterranean cuisine. In between ordering and eating, kids receive coloring pages and crayons. And yes, they can take their colors home!

The party atmosphere is hard to ignore at Oregano’s. Red and white gingham table clothes greet families, while vintage televisions broadcast old sitcoms and the general vibe is upbeat. There is a kid’s menu where children can pick from a selection of noodles and customize with a sauce of their liking or opt for a slice of cheese pizza, or chicken in a basket. Entrees come with a side of fruit and broccoli. All kids meals come with a drink. And don’t forget dessert — kids can enjoy a chocolate chip cookie with two scoops of vanilla ice cream. Don’t worry about your kid’s sugar high. The noise levels aren’t an issue at Oregano’s.