Check out 40,000-plus square-feet of the absolute latest and greatest of video games. Sure, it's a chain, but it's a Dallas chain, so it's almost one of us. You, dear readers, certainly think so. Can we venture to guess why? Well, D&B is not solely a video game arcade in the classic hanging-out-with-your-fellow-underage-pals sense of the term. No, kids, Dave & Buster's is also a megaplex sports and singles bar (kids are allowed, accompanied by an adult, only until 10pm). Some parents might find that an afternoon of arcade magic with junior is exactly the best time to order up a stiff one.

Dave & Buster's
9333 Research
512/346-8015
www.daveandbusters.com

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Family owned and operated, Lucy’s Cakes is still doing what they’ve done best in Austin over the past 11 years: baking cakes from their own family recipes in their own special ovens (we can’t tell you any more detail, it’s a secret). Lucy’s believes in doing it the old fashioned way: baking, decorating, writing up tickets by hand. We taste some of that at every sweet-toothed special occasion. Like birthdays, some traditions should never change.

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With endless rounds between the all-you-can-eat buffet and video/virtual reality games and indoor carnival rides, what more could one ask for, except maybe a TV room featuring three different channels and another strictly cartoon room? Oh, wait, they have that, too! Plus they can even provide the cake. Whoa. There's not much more for a weary parent to do but sit back, enjoy the pizza, and relish the fact that the dishes are going to be taken care of by someone else.

Gatti's Pizza
2614 S. Lamar, 512/583-8102
3711 Guadalupe, 512/583-8095
2410 E. Riverside #H6, 512/583-8097
1555 Bastrop Hwy., 512/583-8104
2931 Anderson Ln., 512/583-8090
801 E. William Cannon, 512/583-8103
3720 Far West Blvd., 512/583-8092
2121 Parmer Ln., 512/583-8086
7525 E. Hwy. 290, 512/583-8091
2801 Bee Caves Rd., Rollingwood, 512/583-8101
10740 Research Blvd., 512/583-8087
12110 Menchaca, 512/583-8099
3305 R.R. 620 N., 512/583-8093
6800 Westgate, 512/583-8105
7101 Hwy. 71 E., Oak Hill, 512/583-8098
Gatti Land, 1112 N. I-35, Round Rock, 512/255-6699
1504 Aquarena Springs Dr., San Marcos, 512/710-2222
www.gattispizza.com

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Back in the day, we had Mr. Wizard and field trips to the LBJ building. We're not bitter, mind you, but look at how far we've come: The Austin Children’s Museum is everything a kid could want out of field trip, a day trip, or a bonding trip with that special adult -- a visual, tactile, and intellectually engaging wonderland where playing is learning and learning is playing.

Thinkery
1830 Simond
512/469-6200
www.thinkeryaustin.org

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With the hike & bike trail, access to the greenbelt, our beloved Barton Springs, that awesome big red kiddy firetruck, tons of playscape action, Zilker Botanical Gardens, a disc golf course, nine soccer fields, a rugby field, a sculpture garden, a hillside theatre, a moontower, a nature center, and -- phew! -- tons of wonderful events throughout the year, this 351-acre beauty is a blessing to us all. See you there.

Zilker Park
2100 Barton Springs Rd.
512/974-6700
austintexas.gov/zilker

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Boasting a gymnasium, game room, dance studio, batting cages and fields, WAYA is the perfect place for kids and adults to get that adrenaline pumping in a fun, interactive environment. The $150 yearlong family membership allows more than 4,500 kids to participate in 12 sports leagues and numerous other programs every year. What better way to settle those little family vendettas than over a raucous game of kickball?

West Austin Youth Association
1314 Exposition
512/473-2528
www.waya.org

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The Dougherty Arts Center (comprising the 1,800-square-foot Julia C. Butridge Gallery, the 150-seat Dougherty Arts Theater, and the Dougherty Arts School) isn't just for kids, and it isn't just for the summer. But from the looks of this poll, they've got those two covered.

Dougherty Arts Center
1110 Barton Springs Rd.
512/974-4000
austintexas.gov/dac

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With endless rounds between the all-you-can-eat buffet and video/virtual reality games and indoor carnival rides, what more could one ask for, except maybe a TV room featuring three different channels and another strictly cartoon room? Oh, wait, they have that, too! Plus they can even provide the cake. Whoa. There's not much more for a weary parent to do but sit back, enjoy the pizza, and relish the fact that the dishes are going to be taken care of by someone else.

Gatti's Pizza
2614 S. Lamar, 512/583-8102
3711 Guadalupe, 512/583-8095
2410 E. Riverside #H6, 512/583-8097
1555 Bastrop Hwy., 512/583-8104
2931 Anderson Ln., 512/583-8090
801 E. William Cannon, 512/583-8103
3720 Far West Blvd., 512/583-8092
2121 Parmer Ln., 512/583-8086
7525 E. Hwy. 290, 512/583-8091
2801 Bee Caves Rd., Rollingwood, 512/583-8101
10740 Research Blvd., 512/583-8087
12110 Menchaca, 512/583-8099
3305 R.R. 620 N., 512/583-8093
6800 Westgate, 512/583-8105
7101 Hwy. 71 E., Oak Hill, 512/583-8098
Gatti Land, 1112 N. I-35, Round Rock, 512/255-6699
1504 Aquarena Springs Dr., San Marcos, 512/710-2222
www.gattispizza.com

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While both Bright Beginnings and Dragonsnaps offer colorful arrays of shoes, toys, and kiddie accessories, it was their unique selections of children?s clothing that landed them here. From brand names Slapdoodle to Mulberry Bush (evidently the height of pre-adolescent fashion these days), there are countless outfits available for your adorable little tykes. Clothes range from toddler through preteen.

Bright Beginnings
701 Capital of TX Hwy. S.
512/328-8989

Dragonsnaps
2438 W. Anderson
512/445-4497

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