Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Indianapolis, IN

Going out to eat with children can prove to be a challenge at times. Thankfully our little family has perfected the art of eating out (at least to the extent that we can control.) We come prepared with quiet toys that hold some sort of novelty with our daughter, toys she only sees when we go out to eat or on long boring road trips. We also have a deal with our daughter that she has to try everything. She doesn't have to like it, she just has to try it. Once she tries it we leave her alone. If she likes it, we secretly squeal inside, if she doesn't like it then at least she tried it.
It's her choice.
Meal time is also a great time for her to practice all those manners we spend so much time instilling. It's a very good way to learn that please and thank you get you what you want when asked nicely and appropriately. Maybe you could even learn the local lingo for thank you. Such as "gracias" or "merci".


Greek Islands- (906 S. Meridain Ave.) I dedicated a whole post to this little gem of a restaurant last week. Mmm. Flaming Cheese.

Five Guys Burgers and Fries- With four locations in Indianapolis, this restaurant comes as a suggestion from a trusted foodie friend. Just last week while I was in San Francisco I heard this place mentioned from people all over the country as a place to go for some nostalgic American fare. While the restaurant is very vocal about their use of peanuts it deserves to be mentioned here, Five Guys has and uses peanuts and peanut oil often, so if you or one of your children has a peanut allergy, sorry, but this is not the place for you. Zagat rated and a best bet for cheap eats, I'm pretty Five Guys won't let you down.

The Old Spaghetti Factory- (Downtown Indy, on Meridian across from Nordstrom's) I worked at one of these restaurants back home and am always surprised to hear that families with small children don't already know about this restaurant. With large reasonable priced portions that include drinks, salad, bread and ice cream, The OSF is never a disappointment when going out to eat with your kids. The decor is fun, small families can choose to sit in a renovated trolley car while larger families can sit in an old bed or under a colorful glass chandelier. While it's not die hard Italian fare, it's darn good, with an especially child friendly children's menu.

Hirosaki-This new restaurant in Avon comes as a recommendation from a friend. Her son loves the Koi pond that is actually in the dining area. You can choose from Hibachi style dining (where a chef cooks right in front of you with fancy knife tricks et all) or you can sit and enjoy sushi and other Japanese style foods. My daughter loves Japanese food, whether it's because she's been exposed to it so much from my love for it or it just suits her palate, she always gets excited for sushi. (She loves seaweed salad, sometimes called "poke" salad.)

Le Peep-Mmm. Breakfast. Promise you'll be able to find something for both yourself and your child that you will all love at one of Le Peep's five Indianapolis Locations. Only open for breakfast and into the early afternoon, Le Peep's staff is friendly and their food is divine. A great way to start a weekend morning when everyone's home.