NORTH

LOOKING FOR SOME FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES?

Or perhaps you’re a big kid yourself who wants to relive your years of innocence.

HEAD NORTH OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD FOR FOOD, sports and outdoor adventures. Breakfast first?

CAN’T THINK. MUST FOOD. [GO TO #1] NO THANKS, WE ALREADY FILLED UP ON CEREAL. [GO TO #2]

Two

ONEYou can’t go wrong with breakfast at Crossroads Diner in Lake Highlands at Walnut Hill and Manderville, especially once your little ones lay eyes on the giant, cinnamon-slathered sticky buns. [Warning: beware of sugar-high inducing powers.] Or bite into a stack of fresh pancakes or a traditional breakfast of grits, bacon and eggs. Now that your stomach is full, how do you want to spend the rest of your morning?

LET’S DO SOMETHING OUTSIDE.

[GO TO #2]

AN INDOOR ACTIVITY SOUNDS IDEAL. [GO TO #3]

Practice your golf swing at Topgolf at Abrams and Park Lane. If you have kids in tow, play a round at the miniature golf course. When you finish there, move on to the batting cages. If you’re getting hungry, grab some lunch at the café before climbing back into your car for some travel.

Three

What do you want to do, check out old-school planes or splash around at a public pool?

SIGN ME UP FOR LEARNING ABOUT HISTORY! [GO TO #6]

SUNSHINE AND SWIMMING SOUNDS LIKE THE PERFECT AFTERNOON. [GO TO #4]

It doesn’t have to be someone’s birthday party for kids to enjoy rocketing around the rink at White Rock Skate Center off Northwest Highway. The rink is open to children and adults of all ages, although the crowd varies depending on the time you’re there — usually parents with kids during the afternoon and preteens and teens during the evening. You can bring your own inline or regular skates, or rent them there. Prices are $7-$12. When you’re hungry, grab lunch across the street at JJ’s Café or Tony’s Pizza and Pasta. Now what do you want to do, check out some oldschool planes or splash around at a public pool?

SIGN ME UP FOR LEARNING ABOUT HISTORY! [GO TO #6]

SUNSHINE AND SWIMMING SOUNDS LIKE THE PERFECT AFTERNOON. [GO TO #4]

Four

Hop on Central and head north to the Heights Family Aquatic Center off Arapaho in Richardson. The public pool, which opened in 2013, is a fabulous way to spend time in the sun. Aside from a lap pool (which is only available from 8-9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays), a leisure pool features a current channel, vortex and splash playground. There is a tot pool for the young kids and slides for the older ones.

SWIMMING IS A LOT OF WORK. WE NEED SOMETHING SWEET BEFORE DINNER.

[GO TO #5]

ICE CREAM ISN’T ENOUGH. WE NEED REAL FOOD, PRONTO. [GO TO #8]

Five

Just a six-minute drive away from the aquatic center is Sweet Firefly (2701 Custer), where you and your munchkins can choose between shaved ice, ice cream and candy. How sweet!

THAT WAS TASTY, BUT NOW WE’RE READY FOR SOMETHING MORE SOLID.

[GO TO #8]

WE’RE NOT READY TO SLOW DOWN. WHAT’S THE NEXT ACTIVITY?

[GO TO #9]

Six

Take the family to Cavanaugh Flight Museum at the Addison Airport for a self-guided tour of aircraft that span the ages. For a guided tour, call ahead to schedule an appointment: 972.380.8800 ext. 100. If you happen to have a couple hundred dollars on you (because why wouldn’t you?), you can even buy a Warbird ride. Once you’ve crammed your brain with history, head back toward East Dallas. Want to see some local artwork along the way?

SURE, I LOVE ART!

[GO TO #7]

AN ART GALLERY?

EH, I DON’T REALLY “GET” ART.

[GO TO #8]

Eight

Grab a bite at Buca di Beppo on Park Lane, which serves entrees “family style” with dishes meant to be shared. You can get the Buca Small, which serves two, or the Buca Large, which serves four. Choose from Buca’s pasta, seafood or pizza options. Once you’ve eaten your fill, do you want another family-friendly event or are you looking for something for adults only?

MY KIDS HAVE BEEN ANGELS ALL DAY.

[GO TO #9]

I LOVE MY KIDS, BUT [GO TO #10]

Seven

ALL THAT ART MADE US HUNGRY! [GO TO

WE’RE NOT READY TO SLOW DOWN JUST YET. WHAT’S THE NEXT ACTIVITY? [GO TO #9]

Nine

Catch a show at Dallas Children’s Theater at Skillman and Northwest Highway. From June 19 to July 12, the theater is showing “The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley” for kids ages five and up. If that doesn’t interest you, DCT always has something going on. Check out its website, dct.org, to find out what’s happening. Tickets usually range from $17-$28. [END.]

Ten

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, the popular Backdoor Comedy Club hosts stand-up comedy shows or open mic nights inside the Double Tree Hotel off Upper Greenville. For more information, go to backdoorcomedy.com or call 214.328.4444. Ticket prices range from $7-$14. [END] Last reminder