Nothing hits quite like coffee. Whether it’s your first cup at 6 a.m. or your 6th cup at 10 a.m. Most parents wouldn’t make it through the day without it. And sure, it can be made at home, but I am a firm believer that it just tastes better when someone else makes it. The same is true for sandwiches and salads, but that’s a topic for another post.
As much as I cherish the times I can sneak out for a solo cup of coffee, book in hand, those outings are few and far between. And in the winter, or cold rainy days, sometimes meeting a friend and their kids for an hour or two is enough to stave off insanity for at least the rest of the day.
So, for those times when a family coffee date is the order of the day, here are my best coffee spots with kids in tow:
Smokestack Roasters (Lunenburg)
Blink and you’ll miss this spot located in a more industrial section of town; this coffee shop is the perfect kid-friendly establishment. There’s a whole section of well-loved toys and books with comfy chairs and tables for the parents scattered around the outside. They offer an expansive coffee menu along with delectable pastries, and according to my six-year-old, make the best vanilla babycino (aka steamed milk with a dash of vanilla syrup).
The parking lot is on the smaller side, but it’s right there (because who wants to lug a stroller into a coffee shop?), and the bathroom is always clean. Be warned, there’s no changing table, though it’s huge, so you can easily have multiple kids in there with you and have room to throw a mat on the floor. Bonus: It’s only 5 minutes away from the Lunenburg Library and a great playground. Giving you additional out-of-the-house options for the kids to burn off some energy.
Identity Coffee (Fitchburg)
This coffee shop also has a dedicated parking lot (so much easier for loading and unloading) and an area with toys and books, though I recommend bringing some of your own as well. They have a small food menu consisting mostly of muffins and a couple of breakfast sandwiches, but the coffee selection is good. The bathrooms are shared with other places in the building, so keep that in mind if you have an independently minded child like mine. If you want to keep the fun going, nearby Putnam Lanes offers candlepin bowling, though it’s on the second floor of a non-accessible building.
Root and Press (Worcester)
This venue is part independent bookstore, coffee shop, and café. They have an extensive selection of food for vegans, vegetarians, and kids alike! There’s not a lot of seating, but there is a small kids’ section in a separate room with books to peruse (and purchase!) and a bar counter area for older ones. I strongly recommend coming here on a sunny day so you can get some coffee and lunch and walk the block to East Park. There’s a huge splash pad (with bathrooms, including a family one), a playground, and a park area with picnic tables and shade. It’s the perfect way to spend a morning, afternoon, or all day!
Café 641 (Hudson)
This small café is right smack in downtown Hudson. This can make parking tricky, but there’s a municipal lot just about a block away. They feature several tables, some board games (at last visit), and an extensive menu given the smaller size of the shop. Just make sure your kids don’t know what New City Microcreamery sells across the street because they might beeline it over there. Hint: it’s ice cream.
Hudson is also known to host several festivals and street markets throughout the spring/summer/fall. Mobile order and walk the streets with coffee in hand! If you return for a date night to Less Than/Greater Than (the speakeasy tucked into the back corner of New City) for a hand-crafted cocktail and dinner!
Honorable Mention: Barnes & Noble (Leominster and Milbury)
While I typically try to visit local, “Mom & Pop” establishments, Barnes & Noble makes the list for its sheer size. The bigger the store, the less likely your kid’s meltdown will annoy other patrons! These two stores feature a Starbucks café with a limited menu. Take your treats to the children’s section to enjoy. They almost always feature toys to play with, books to flip through, and a stage to sing on.
Whether you get your coffee on the way to the playground or you stop and stay awhile, a coffee break is a much-needed part of any parent’s week. Let us know what your favorite coffee spots with kids to visit are in the comments!
