Going out with kids isn’t always simple. Even a childless person like myself can relate when I see that going out with friends that have kids takes a bit more planning and coordination. Luckily, there are lots of restaurants and cafes in Metro Vancouver that are both kid and wallet-friendly.

Here are 7 of our favourites:

Darcy’s Café 

This is a casual Point Grey eatery and bakery serving all natural, locally sourced food. Owners and parents themselves (Frances and Dickson) had a hard time finding a place serving fresh, healthy food for kids and grown-ups so they created a space with a dedicated play area complete with toys and books to keep kids happily occupied while hard working mommies and daddies relax. The bathroom is spacious and has a proper change table. There’s room to maneuver and park strollers, high chairs and child-safe cutlery for small hands. This cafe also hosts cooking classes for kiddies.

IKEA

When hunting for furniture and home decor, you don’t have to leave the kids at home. IKEA’s restaurant is child-friendly with the usual fixings (high chairs, change and play areas). Kids can be the harshest food critics of all, so their kids menu of Swedish meatballs, pasta and nuggets will appeal to little taste buds. Don’t forget to end your family shopping trip with a cinnamon bun or twist cone.

Pizzeria Ludica

For those who have older kids, Pizza Ludica has over 800 board games that are free to play. A kids menu is also available for those 10 and under. The prices are reasonable too; a slice of pizza or pasta and a drink and dessert cost $9.

The Juice Truck

This place is Vancouver’s first and original cold-pressed juice company and has expanded and evolved since opening. Every Monday, The Juice Truck’s Mount Pleasant location holds #MamaMondays. These are weekly meet-ups for moms and dads at 1:30pm where you can meet other parents while enjoying refreshing drinks and nourishing food.

Nourish

Nourish’s mission is to help cultivate an appreciation for food at an early age through popular Kids Cooking Camps that sell out fast. The restaurant also has a kids play space and menu items like cheese on toast, crepes and more. Also on offer are chocolate milk, apple juice and orange mango boxes to wash it all down.

Rocky Mountain Flatbread

This is another place designed to help parents relax while the rest of the family uses the kids play area. The business also offers special weekly events to get kids engaged in cooking, like a children’s pizza making class Sunday evenings. There are two locations in Vancouver, though the one on the Main Street offers a Tuesday morning workshop for mothers and tots featuring dance, yoga and making nutritional snacks. The classes are for parents and/or caregivers with children aged 5 and under.

White Spot

Who doesn’t love going out for a Pirate Pak? Nostalgia aside, White Spot has been a go-to spot for kids of all ages since 1928. And with the recent revamp of their Pirate Paks, your kids can gobble down some tasty treats as they set sail on some legendary (and well-priced) misadventures!