When I was a kid and in high school, I can’t tell you how many times I heard an adult say, “You are the future.” I got really sick of it. As an opinionated person (surprise, surprise), even at that age I thought, “Well, you’re the present, what are you doing?”

I mean, of course children are the future—literally they’re younger and most will grow up to make policy and start businesses and make art and the world will be different because of them. But we adults are living our future now. I know, slightly mind-bending. What are we doing with our one wild and precious life?

But also, how are we caring for and challenging our children now? I don’t mean how many activities can we cram into the calendar so they look marketable to colleges and employers—I mean what time are we spending with them? What spaces do we make welcoming to them? What questions do we respond positively to? What limits do we set? Ok, maybe this seems like Parenting 101, sorry.

I’m writing this because I want to suggest that things like playing board games with our kids, making spaces where they feel welcome, and treating them as though their opinions and experiences matter, taking them seriously, is good for our futures as well as our collective present.

Oh, and also, a reminder that we have a kids’ food menu, all-ages board games, and kids’ game passports. So, you know, bring the kids to Free Parking, too. :)

Alice C., board game librarian

Play Grabble!

It’s the newest game from CMYK, a dexterity and speed game that you can teach in one minute and play in 5. And then play again. And again.

In Grabble, you dump into the box bottom a big pile of miscellaneous bits—lil traffic cones, metallic bananas, green meeples, dice, etc.—then simultaneously grab one thing at a time to fill your cup, trying to get a variety and a bunch of items. Once someone feels they’ve gotten as many things as they can in their cup, they grab the Big Red Friendly Knob signalling everyone only has 5 seconds left to grab what they can. Then, everyone dumps out what they’ve grabbed and hides it behind one hand. Each player in turn calls out taking it in turns, each person calls out one thing they’ve got in their stash and tosses it back in the box, with the other players tossing that same item back as well. Anyone who can’t discard the object called is out, and the last person standing wins. It’s marvelously silly and fun, and to top it off, THE RULES ARE PRINTED IN THE BOX TOP. (Sorry for yelling, but I adore this.)

Try our kids’ mac and cheese and tots!

Our kids’ menu is a delight, and chef’s mac and cheese is so tasty! Get a warm bowl of macaroni love and a side of crisp, Tetris-shaped tater tots for just $8. Your kids will love it. Heck, I get both of those as sides all the time and love it!

And don’t forget our section of all-ages games—get those kids into board games early!