Long before my kids laid eyes on Pixar movies, they were obsessed with cars. Big ones, little ones, toy ones—as long as they were fast and sleek, they'd want to play with them or, better yet, ride in them.

Growing up as public-transit-taking New Yorkers also means a healthy obsession with trains. So no matter the mode of transportation that piques your kid's interest, we've got a party recommendation for you. We've rounded up seven party places in or near NYC where kids can enjoy car- and train-centric activities, from driving go-karts, calling all aboard on a vintage train, and even slot-car racing. Best of all, there's no driver's license required.

Our series of posts about Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill and Boerum Hill continues with a roundup of family-friendly restaurants in the neighborhood. From a preliminary list of about 30 delicious eateries, we whittled our favorites down to 15, including old-fashioned soda fountain Brooklyn Farmacy, retro Italian eateries and some of the best burger joints in all of Brooklyn. Did your top spots make the cut? Read on to see our 15 picks and then share your family's regular haunts in the comments.