3 Survival Tips to Eating Out with Kids

Dining out with your kids is supposed to be a pleasurable experience, but parents with young children know there are times when eating out is far from fun. I have two boys, ages eight and two, and we have been going out to restaurants since they were babies. We do not have household help so we tend to eat out a lot when we are too tired to cook and wash dirty pans and dishes. After eight years, I have learned some practical survival tips when we go to a restaurant with our kids.

Problem: "My son likes to run around in the restaurant while we are eating." 
Kids, especially toddlers, can only sit still for a short span of time unlike us adults who would like to savor our meal. My husband and I sometimes take turns eating so one of us can watch over our overactive two-year-old. Or we end up eating quickly before we incur the wrath of both wait staff and fellow diners alike when our kids are way too disruptive. If we want to enjoy our meal we do the following:

Tip 1: Tire them out. We let them run around a play area or walk around the mall first so some of their energy is used up by the time we get to the restaurant.

Tip 2: Choose a restaurant with fast and efficient service. This saves precious minutes when you have a hyperactive child.

Tip 3: Box them in. We like sofa-type seats because it gives our three-year-old some opportunity to move around without disturbing other diners.

Tip 4: Bring an entertainment kit. My husband and I are on the traditional side so we tend to bring stickers, crayons, markers, coloring books and activity sheets. Feel free to bring a favorite quiet toy (a small lego set, blocks, etc.) to keep him still for a few more minutes.

Tip 5: Reward them. We tell the kids that if they sit still and wait patiently for Ma and Da to finish their food, we will get a dessert they like. When we want to eat healthy, it’s frozen yogurt. Or we tell them we can go to a place of their choosing like a toy store or Time Zone for the older kids.

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Problem: "My kids go wild over “forbidden” drinks like soft drinks and iced tea and also start playing with the straws in the straw dispenser."

Part of the dining experience is learning to drink and eat new things. Vetoing sugary drinks will just make them more attractive.

Tip 1: Make a deal. Tell your child they are allowed one (and just one) special drink when you eat out. This way, the forbidden is not so extraordinary anymore since you are allowing them to have it. At the same time, you still have some parental control over it.

Tip 2: Bring an empty bottle or sippy cup. You can transfer the drink to avoid messy spills and using a straw.

Tip 3: Bring your own drink. I like bringing my own box of milk or juice. My pediatrician likes to remind me that a cup of juice a day is the daily nutritional recommendation; anything that exceeds that amount is bad for them.

Tip 4: Avoid giving your kids softdrinks at home, like my parents did with me. That's why my sisters and I never looked for it when we ate out. The advantages are twofold – it is healthier and lighter on your wallet.

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Problem: "Our toddler creates a big mess when he eats. He loves to eat rice with his hands and likes to play with the rest of his food."

Eating with their hands is a step for babies and toddlers towards learning to feed themselves independently. Of course, this is easier to do at home than when you are at a restaurant.

Tip 1: Have a clean-up kit ready. When my kids were younger, my diaper bag included antibacterial gel, bibs (the type that you can wipe off easily works best for eating out), a washable placemat (for easy cleanup and it also makes sure he has a clean surface to eat on instead of just the table), plastic bowl and utensils, and wipes. If you forget your plastic bowl and utensils, you can ask your waiter if they have unbreakable plates and utensils that your child can use.

Tip 2: Order finger foods. Little kids love the sensation of eating with their hands. Choose dry food that they can eat comfortably with their hands like nuggets, corn, French fries, lumpia or barbecue.

Tip 3: Leave a big tip for your server to compensate for the big mess they have to clean up afterward. If you go to that restaurant frequently, the servers might take better care of you too if they know you compensate them for their trouble.

 

Photo from flickr creative commons