My husband and I have an inside-joke that we are going to open a restaurant with clear tables that perch upon a hidden, kid-friendly paradise so that we can have a nice(r) meal out. There would be toys galore, and maybe a chalkboard on the wall, and we would be able to watch the kids through the table while we eat. Why did we imagine this? Because by the time the end of the meal rolls around, our kids would much rather be under the table playing than sitting at it. Here are some tips on how to make eating out with your kids more enjoyable.
• Eat early. Avoiding the crowds not only provides a quieter environment, it allows your family to be served faster because there are fewer people in the restaurant.
• Put the kids’ orders in first so that they don’t have to wait as long for their food. Yes, you may run the risk that they will finish before your food is ready and become restless, but at least they will not be starving.
• Another option is to order an appetizer to quell their hunger, and have all your food arrive at the same time. This way you can eat as a family. I don’t know what I would do without those bread plates/nachos/fruit bowls that occupy my kids until their food is ready.
• Take a toy, preferably something small and quiet, to entertain them. Most kid-friendly restaurants have crayons and an activity sheet, but this is not guaranteed to interest every kid. My daughter loves them and my son loses interest after about 5 minutes, for example.
• Consider having either Mom or Dad take one/both of the kids outside for a few minutes while you are waiting for your order to arrive. This avoids the embarrassment of having the kids bounce up and down on the seats and burns off energy before the meal as well.
Bon appetite!
