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Kid-Friendly Spots in Merrillville

Made for those who refuse to sacrifice their own dining preferences just because they are accompanied by children.

Based on 702 Opinions
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Updated May 2026
01
Nonye African Hair Braiding Merrillville image 1
Nonye African Hair Braiding Merrillville image 2
Nonye African Hair Braiding Merrillville image 3
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Bright, clean salon offers a peaceful atmosphere with calming music and skilled braiders. Kids enjoy gentle care that keeps them comfortable and pain-free. Elegant styles come out beautifully in a welcoming, professional setting.

Gentle and patient care stands out, especially with kids who have thick or tender scalps. Braids come out beautiful and elegant, and kids often feel comfortable and pain-free during the process.

People are saying

"It's so Kid Friendly; they're really gentle and patient with little ones."

"I got perfect box braids that looked just like the picture."

"It's so peaceful and calming in here."

Good to know

1

The braiding process takes about half the expected 4 hours.

2

The salon is very professional and clean.

3

The prices for braiding services are fair.

02
Werner Christmas Wonderland image 1
Tourist attraction

Bright Christmas decorations and a life-size Ferris wheel create a festive, family-friendly scene. Kids love meeting characters like the Grinch and enjoying the photo booth. Charity collections add a warm spirit of giving to the joyful atmosphere.

Bright Christmas decorations and festive characters like the Grinch and Jack create a joyful atmosphere for kids. A photo booth adds interactive fun, making it a lively spot for families.

People are saying

"It's a yearly tradition that the kids absolutely loved."

"I loved the candy display; it was a must-see every year."

"The Christmas decorations here are beautiful and fun."

Good to know

1

The event is free and located about 15 minutes from us.

2

The display is always on by Thanksgiving eve.

3

They conduct charity collections for Toys for Tots.

03
VIP NAILS image 1
Nail salon

Salon blends modern design with a relaxing atmosphere and luxurious massage chairs. Perfect gel nails suit both adults and kids, with walk-in availability making visits easy. Guests enjoy complimentary snacks and drinks during treatments.

They offer perfect gel nails for both adults and kids, taking their time to ensure quality. Walk-ins are welcome, making it easy to get in without appointments, even on busy days.

People are saying

"My nails turned out perfect and beautiful."

"The staff here makes your pedicure feel so welcoming and nice."

"The staff here is so kind and talented with kids' nails."

Good to know

1

They are currently offering a 20% discount on pedicures.

2

I received a 20% discount at VIP NAILS until December 31st.

3

The services include cuticle oil, lotion, a hot towel, and a hand massage.

04
Yum Noodles image 1
Restaurant

Simple, clean space with Asian accents offers a laid back vibe. Kids love crispy scallion pancakes and seafood noodle soup. Friendly staff make it feel like home with authentic dishes served in generous portions.

Kids enjoy a variety of dishes like chicken with noodles, steak bowl with purple rice, and seafood noodle soup. Crispy scallion pancakes and pot stickers also get a thumbs up from little ones.

People are saying

"The ramen soup and pho here were out of this world."

"I found the authentic northern Chinese noodles to be delicious."

"This place is so Kid Friendly, my son said he wants to shove it in his face!"

Good to know

1

Sunday is pho day with special offerings.

2

Yum Noodles offers free appetizers with any dine-in purchase.

3

The portions are generous, providing good value for the price.

05
Las Jacarandas Mexican Grill image 1

Bright murals and vibrant staff energy make this small spot cozy and welcoming. Kids feel like family here, with staff remembering them and the shredded chicken Quesadilla being a favorite. Seating is tight but the vibe stays comfortable and friendly.

Staff treat kids like family and remember them on return visits. The shredded chicken Quesadilla is a hit with little ones.

People are saying

"I thought this place was the real deal for Mexican food."

"This lunch spot has really good, authentic Mexican food."

"The Birria tacos here are delicious and my son devoured his quesadilla."

Good to know

1

Expect long wait times during peak hours, especially on weekends.

2

Reservations are not accepted, so arrive early to secure a table.

3

Prices are reasonable for the portion sizes offered.

06
Hidden Lake Park image 1

Park features beautiful lake scenery and a peaceful atmosphere that feels like countryside. Kids love the zip line and simple playground. Clean restrooms and pavilions make it great for families and group events.

Kids enjoy the zip line and the playground, which is simple but functional. Clean porta potties and restrooms are available for both kids and adults.

People are saying

"I found the park to be peaceful and clean."

"The playground here is kid friendly and has a zip line."

"I found the scenery here to be beautiful."

Good to know

1

Non-residents are charged $10 for entrance while residents pay $5.

2

The entrance fee is $8, but a $3 coupon is available.

3

Parking costs an additional $12 for SUVs instead of sedans.

07
Humble Kings Barbershop image 1

Barbershop has a lively atmosphere and offers walk-in availability with fair prices. Staff show patience with toddlers and keep a clean space. Open daily, it handles many clients with a positive vibe.

Barbers show patience with toddlers and young kids. They maintain a professional approach during haircuts for children.

People are saying

"It's so Kid Friendly; the barbers are patient with my son."

"I experienced the best barbering service at this barbershop."

Good to know

1

Appointments can be made on the same day, unlike other shops.

2

Walk-ins are accepted at all times.

3

The shop is open seven days a week.

08
Boba Heaven Merrillville image 1
Bubble tea store

Bubble tea store offers unlimited toppings and fluffy mini pancakes in unique flavors like Oreo. Kids love the boba teas and staff are very helpful. Generous drink sizes and a welcoming atmosphere make it great for families.

Kids enjoy the boba teas and look forward to them. Staff are helpful and informative, making visits smooth for families.

People are saying

"I found the tea here really good and flavorful."

"I thought the smoothies were really delicious and refreshing."

"The Dubai Strawberry Cup is fresh and delicious."

Good to know

1

They have a small bites menu and a hot drink menu coming soon.

2

They offer unlimited combinations for drinks.

3

The cup costs $12, making it a good value.

09
Merrillville Florist and Tea Room image 1

Victorian-style tea room offers a cozy atmosphere with elegant floral arrangements and pressed white linens. Kids love the floral teacup crafts and banana split candies. Staff provide attentive service for a relaxing, memorable outing.

Staff create floral arrangements in teacups for kids to take home. Kids enjoy banana split chocolate candies. The spot suits tea and lunch outings with children.

People are saying

"I found the food to be delicious."

"It's a cute, quaint lunch spot with a beautiful atmosphere."

"They made a gorgeous floral arrangement in a teacup for my daughter."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended, especially for lunch, to avoid long wait times.

2

Expect a small menu with unique tea options and scones.

3

There is an additional charge for the scone that comes with the entree.

10
Only Bangs Fireworks Inc (Call for Appointment After Hours) image 1

Family-owned store offers kid-friendly sparklers and large display fireworks. Owners provide clear guidance and often give free extras to kids. Clean, organized space with reasonable prices and frequent deals makes shopping easy and welcoming.

Wide variety of kid-friendly fireworks exists with clear guidance from owners to avoid adult-only items. Extras often come free for kids, making it welcoming for families.

People are saying

"The staff here is so friendly and helpful, making it a great Kid Friendly spot."

"It's a family owned place where the staff really knows their stuff."

Good to know

1

The store offers a wide variety of fireworks suitable for all ages.

2

Parking is plentiful and easily accessible near the store.

3

They accept both cash and credit card payments.

11
Angieโ€™s BREAKFAST & GRILL image 1

Small, quaint spot with soul & R&B music sets a warm vibe. Kids love the chicken wings and waffles here. Drive-thru adds convenience for quick takeout in a family-friendly space.

Kids enjoy the chicken wings and waffle and love coming here for breakfast and soup. The shrimp and grits also appeal to children.

People are saying

"I found the breakfast here to be very delicious."

"I loved the chicken and waffles; the chicken was seasoned perfectly."

"The chicken and waffles here are so good, I'll drive back for them."

Good to know

1

The restaurant is a bit small, so large parties might find it challenging to dine there.

2

The restaurant was busy, but we were seated right away.

3

The portions were great for the price.

12
Allure Nail & Spa image 1

Nail salon offers a calming vibe with kid-sized chairs and patient staff for families. Affordable prices make it easy to enjoy quality pedicures together. Clean, peaceful space ensures comfort for all ages.

Staff handle kids with care and patience. They offer kid-sized chairs and a $20 kid's pedicure option. Families can enjoy pedicures together comfortably.

People are saying

"Tammy is a sweet nail artist who perfected my Valentine's nails."

"Tammy took her time with my massage, even late at night."

"They're really good with kids and even have chairs for them."

Good to know

1

Prices for pedicures range from $50 to $65.

2

Nail services cost around $80.

3

The salon was clean and professional.

13
DEAN AND BARBARA WHITE COMMUNITY CENTER image 1

Facility features three basketball courts and a climbing wall for active fun. Kids join basketball and football practices, though younger ones face some restrictions. An indoor walking track and quiet lounge offer calm spaces for all ages.

Children participate in basketball and football practices here. Smaller kids face restrictions, as they cannot walk the path with a guardian and are only allowed during events.

People are saying

"The weight lifting gym here is always so clean and well-maintained."

"It's a great Kid Friendly spot for sports practices."

"I loved the great atmosphere for live sports here."

Good to know

1

Parking is ample and available for events at the community center.

2

Local residents can access the center's offerings for free.

3

Out-of-town residents can use the center for a small monthly fee.

14
Brothers Breakfast & Lunch image 1
Breakfast restaurant

Open, clean space with family-friendly atmosphere and Mickey Mouse pancakes delights kids. Servers like Lisa offer above and beyond service. Crowds build up, but neat decor supports private conversations despite busy times.

Mickey Mouse pancakes delight kids during breakfast. Servers like Lisa provide above and beyond service that families appreciate.

People are saying

"I never had a bad breakfast here; the food was amazing."

"This lunch spot's food is delicious and prepared fresh."

"The food here is amazing and the portions are big."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended for parties larger than six people.

2

Expect longer wait times during peak breakfast hours on weekends.

3

The restaurant closes at 3 PM, so plan your visit accordingly.

15
Micha African Hair Braiding image 1

Salon offers affordable braiding in a clean environment with a relaxing atmosphere. Braiding takes about three hours for shoulder-length micro braids. Kids get quick, careful work with great attention to detail.

Braiding services handle children's hair with quick and careful work. Both daughters and sons get their hair braided well, showing attention to detail.

People are saying

"They did my daughter's hair so accurately and beautifully."

"I got neat box braids at this Hair Salon."

Good to know

1

The braiding process takes about three hours.

2

They charge $180 for box braids, which is $10 more than advertised.

3

Most salons are honest about extra charges for length, but this one is not.

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Merrillville, Indiana

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