Looking for family-friendly dining in the Lansing area? We've chosen some of our favorites for you to try. Some may be familiar and some are locally-owned places that we think you'll enjoy as well. Each has their own kid-friendly niche. Pull up a booster seat or bring the team and enjoy these offerings.
Located adjacent to Michigan State University and specializing in Chicago and traditional-style pizza, you can bring the whole team or birthday celebrations here. It's a big space that can accommodate a group. The kids' menu includes BBQ ribs, spaghetti and meatballs, macaroni and cheese, chicken tenders and of course, cheese pizza. Smallish shakes and malts and a hot fudge sundae is always the perfect ending to the perfect meal.
Read MoreA full kids' menu chock full of food kids love. grilled cheese, chicken tenders, junior burger or pizza along with some great surprises like popcorn shrimp, gluten free pasta and cereal. Yes cereal. A big thumbs up on this. Wash it all down with a root beer float and finish up with a kids ice cream complete with chocolate sauce, sprinkles and whipped cream.
Read MoreLocated on downtown Lansing’s Washington Square, Midtown offers mouth watering pub food and a great kids' menu, including sliders that are the perfect size for younger kids to hold on their own!
Read MoreA visit to one of the hippest little diners in the hippest Midwest towns transports you to a retro diner. It's a bustling place with a menu that won't quit. Kids will enjoy a choice of the staples: grilled cheese, chicken strips, hot dogs, eggs and bacon, French toast or pancakes. Add on a hand dipped milkshake or malted. Adults will delight in the local favorite-Hippie Hash and traditional diner fare.
Read MoreMost kids like noodles. And at Noodles & Company that's what they do best. From ooey-gooey Wisconsin mac and cheese and your basic buttered noodles to spaghetti and meat balls and tortellini marinara. Each comes with sides like broccoli and apple sauce. Kids like good and simple. So do we.
Read MoreWhen your hungry “HopKittens” need food, head to HopCat in East Lansing. They can choose from a Junior Cheeseburger on Texas toast, Mac & Cheese made with cheese smothered shell noodles, Cheese Quesadilla and house-made Crispy Chicken Tenders. They can pick a side of the famous Cosmik Fries, apple slices or celery and carrot sticks.
Read MoreWe love this place for families because of the outside patio and the big grassy area with fun games to play like cornhole.
The kids' menu has the regular kid favorites like chicken tenders, mac n cheese, kids' burger and such, but it also has cereal options to please all the kids!
You know Culver's for their kids' menu of ButterBurgers, chicken tenders and mac and cheese. But did you know that you can find Jeff the Magician every Monday from 6-8 p.m. at the Eastwood Towne Center location?
Read MoreThe kids' brunch menu is sure to put a smile on your kiddo's face. Kids can choose from pancakes, waffles with whipped cream, eggs plus bacon, French toast, grilled cheese, chicken fingers and a burger. The menu has a variety of gluten free options as well!
Read MoreNeed a sweet treat to finish up your family meal? Head to the MSU Dairy Store on the campus of Michigan State University for some delicious fresh ice cream. Serving 13 weekly rotations of flavors in cups and cones, you can keep heading back to find your favorite! If you're lucky, you can catch them making the ice cream or cheese and watch from the observation deck!
Read MoreFor the More Adventurous Eater
We stuck with some pretty traditional kids menu choices above to accommodate the picky eaters. Meals like pizza, grilled cheese, pancakes, chicken tenders, pasta and the like. If you have a more adventurous eater, check out all our Lansing area member restaurants for a ton more options.
Photo Credit 📷 GLCVB, Tom Gennera, Culver's, Noodles & Company, Crunchy's, Fleetwood Diner, Old Nation Brewing Company, HopCat East Lansing.