Children’s Plates

With this week’s opening of the comic book-themed Marvel Mania Hollywood restaurant at Universal CityWalk, the circle of kid-friendly eateries in the Southland is wider than ever. Where to eat and what’s nearby:

Friday

Forget Spider-Man, the Incredible Hulk and Captain America. Parents who take their kids to the new Marvel Mania Hollywood could be the biggest heroes of all. This theme restaurant and attraction hurls guests into the splashy world of classic comic book characters with a “splat!” Adults might want to check out the lobby kiosks containing Marvel memorabilia, including Bill Everett’s original cover sketch from the first 1940 painting of Marvel comics. Choose to sit in one of four comic book rooms, where you can watch original Marvel comics projected on a screen and peruse menus designed to look and feel like the traditional comic books. Don’t leave without going to the restrooms, where you’ll see the face of a superhero in the magic mirror instead of your own. The fare includes burgers, salads and sandwiches, 100 Universal Center Drive, Universal City, (818) 7-MARVEL. Reservations accepted. Daily, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

While visiting Universal City, catch a showing of the kiddie flick “The Borrowers” at Cineplex Odeon on the west end of CityWalk. (818) 444-FILM.

Saturday

Talk the kids into a shopping trip to South Coast Plaza by promising to dine at the Rainforest Cafe. Check in at the concrete elephant that greets visitors for a “passport”--actually a jungle-inspired code name like Gecko or Alligator--which the hostess will call out when your table is ready. The interior looks like a rain forest with a waterfall, a flower, shrub and vine canopy, animatronic elephants and a cover of dense mist. The menu includes pastas, salads and burgers with a tropical bend. Check out the Skeleton Key Lime pie for dessert. 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa (inside South Coast Plaza). (714) 424-9200. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

If you have tiny tots in tow, you may want to make a stop at Adventure City on the way home. This theme park is built especially for children ages 2 to 12, but because most of the rides can accommodate adults, the whole family can participate. 10120 Beach Blvd., Stanton. From the 5 freeway, exit at Beach Boulevard and head south. Park is located two miles past Knott’s Berry Farm on Beach Boulevard and Ball Road. (714) 236-9300. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Adults and children, $9.95 (includes petting farm, rides and shows). Children under 12 months, free.

Sunday

Have an early lunch at Brentwood’s Cartoonsville. Another comic strip-inspired theme restaurant, this one may appeal more to toddler-age children than Marvel Mania. Cartoonsville combines a restaurant with live entertainment, arcade games and a fun house filled with structures for little kids to climb up and slide down. The comic strip characters featured in the live show are Cartoonsville’s own, but antique lunch boxes and animation cels on display feature classic comic book and cartoon characters that may strike a chord--at least with adults. 12121 Wilshire Blvd. at Bundy Drive, Brentwood, (310) 207-6070. 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.

Not far away in Westwood, UCLA’s Fowler Museum of Cultural History is hosting “Once Upon a Bead.” This art workshop for ages 5 and older is being held in conjunction with the museum’s exhibition “Beads, Body and Soul: Art and Light in the Yoruba Universe.” Exhibition artists Jose Rodriguez and Manny Vega will lead the bead-working activities. 2 to 5 p.m. Reservations not required. $5 materials fee. 405 Hilgard Ave., Westwood, (310) 825-4361. Wednesday to Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.; Thursday, noon to 8 p.m.