Hints for eating out with toddlers?

In response to my "eating at the table" post, many of you mentioned that you eat out often -- so I thought I'd pick your brain about that too.

So, what are your tricks for having a successful restaurant meal with your toddlers?

Our first experience was a success in the sense that everyone ate, and all the adults even got to finish their beers. However, we had five adults and two toddlers, so the adults could take turns chasing the kids around the lobby & patio of the restaurant (except for the 5 minutes that the kids were actually eating).

So, how do you do it if you have only two adults and two kids? Is there anyone actually sitting at the table? Are there ways to "train" or entice them to spend more time in the high chairs?

 

A booth with booster seats (or without - we don't use them anymore at 2) makes it much easier because they're blocked in. Crayons, little "happy meal"-type toys, stickers and snacks from the diaper bag keep everyone happy.

Best,
Mia

 

Mine aren't at the running around stage but this is what I've found works for us. Our boys seem to do better out than at home?

Go EARLY

Go to a place with little to no waiting

Pick somewhere that's pretty active and noisey so they will have lots to look at and stay entertained. Also if they start to act up people aren't going to notice as much with all the noise.

We can't use crayons b/c they will eat them but I load up on cherrios, and small toys

 

We have been going out to eat with them for as long as I can remember. We always use the highchairs the restaurants provide. We do tend to go a little early so that we minimize the wait. We also aim for kid friendly places, one of our favorite places has 2 electric trains on a track around the restaurant. We usually use crayons to keep them busy. Also, if you can order their food right away it helps. Just keep doing it and they will get used to it.

 

Order fast and tell them if they act up they don't get any ice cream!

 

We go out occassionally and one of the biggest suggestions I learned on here. I have a box of small toys and things that we keep in the diaper bag. They get to play with them while we're waiting. We also get highchairs or booster seats and we order for them immediately so they're not bored for long. Cheerios or goldfish crackers are convenient and entertaining for a little while. It's not so bad just don't get stressed, enjoy the time, and try to keep them entertained as best you can. I would not let them "run around" the restaurant. We have a rule that they have to stay in their seats the entire time.

HTH!!

 

quote:
We have been going out to eat with them for as long as I can remember. We always use the highchairs the restaurants provide. We do tend to go a little early so that we minimize the wait. We also aim for kid friendly places, one of our favorite places has 2 electric trains on a track around the restaurant. We usually use crayons to keep them busy. Also, if you can order their food right away it helps. Just keep doing it and they will get used to it.



Ditto 100% right down to the trains (our local IHOP has them and the kids call it the ChooChoo place)!! Another great place is Friendly's if you have one close. I also agree with sitting in a booth if they're out of highchairs. You can block them into the booth that way. Another thing is if they are potty trained I typically ask for a seat close to the bathroom - chances are I'm there at least twice during the meal .

 

We let them run around, well, first of all because it's that type of restaurant (tons of kids running around, lots of open space -- people go there specifically because they can do this). But also, I read a suggestion somewhere that they are more likely to sit in their seats during the actual meal if you let them run around while you're waiting for the food to arrive.

But we need to work more on getting them to stay in the seats, rather than just letting them get down whenever they feel like it.

We went at 5 -- definitely early! Our only problem was that it was a sunny day, and this is also a place people go to hang out on the deck with beers on nice afternoons. So we were almost so early that we hit the late-afternoon crowd instead of the dinner crowd. Still, we did get seated right away.

Good idea on crayons & toys -- we didn't really think of that, duh.

 

We taken the girls out to eat twice a week(my parents habit I don't have the money for it) since they were 3 months old(born in RSV season) so we used to put them in their carriers in slings and give them toys and when they got big enough we always put them in a highchair right next to each other and get crackers with our salad they get crackers and they always like to drink out of straws. We don't let them run around until we are ready to go. Everone always gets to finish their meal and we've never had any problems.

 

We go out to dinner 1X per week with the kids. We have a 3.5 year old and 20.5 month twins. We just usually go to a restaurant in which we know the menu somewhat or know what we want...

As soon as the waiter comes to take an order for drinks, we order our drinks and their kids meals. Their food comes quickly and then our food comes after we have their all cut up for them etc. and we can still eat our food hot. Then, if the kids get antsy while we are eating, we just get them desert or we make sure we have cookies or goodies in our diaper bag.

We never go out to eat with people....

 

My boys are 3 and we have been going out to eat since they were very little. Now that we live 5 minutes from my parents we tend to go about twice a week (mainly with my parents). Ours boys are usually very good when we go out. I always bring some hot wheels cars and other little toys (little Sesame Street figures, etc.) for them to play with. Now a days I do not always need to bring them out. When they were littler, we would ask the server to bring the boys food ASAP (or at least the french fries) to keep them happy. Occasionally I would give them some snacks to pass the time.

The boys have almost always sat in a highchair when we go out. Recently one of them has been wanting to (and has been) sit in a booster seat.

 

I am in the DO NOT let them out of the highchairs crowd. I guess we have been going out to eat for so long they are used to it. Only if the wait for the check is getting long do we let them out, and then I will shuffle them off to the lobby or out to the car and DH stays behind and pays.

Here are my tips, and if we've done one thing right, I think it's having them restaurant trained. I've only had two dining out related tantrums. We went to Texas Roadhouse last week with a 1hr+ wait and they were awesome!

1. Go to family friendly (doesn't have to be kiddie though) places. Most chain style restaurants are good, like Applebee's, Olive Garden, Ruby Tuesday, etc.

2. Go early, get there about 30 min before their usual meal time. Usually no waiting at 5:00pm, and lots of older people who love little kids.

3. Bring your sippy cups pre-filled with water and some crackers, or ask for crackers or bread right away. Mine are also really digging the crayons now that they don't eat them.

4. We get them a kid's meal and split it, and that's usually enough food for both. I used to ask for it to come out first, but now they are doing good about waiting, now that they love to color, so it's better that their meal comes out with ours, that way we all finish at the same time.

5. Get food that isn't too messy or requires you to feed it to them.

I guess that's about it. Going out to eat with them is about the only social thing we can do, and I love it, no cooking or big clean up on my part. They actually do eat better and are neater in restaurants.

 

Our standard restaurant these days is Village Inn. I posted about our activity box a couple of weeks ago - here is the thread:

http://forums.twinstore.com/eve/forums/a/t...931#48410016931

 

One thing that has helped us lately is that I bring the little AquaDoodle Mini Mats with the water pens. The last ones I got have three little cards on a ring (Tyler gets Thomas the Train, Paige likes Elmo)and are a perfect size for restaurants trips. (the ring is new to me...first ones I bought didn't have it.) I like letting them play with these rather than crayons. I don't have to worry about them eating crayons or always trying to catch rolling crayons. Sometimes I let them bring a little book as well.

Tyler is such a picky eater that he often doesn't eat the restaurant food. I usually bring an applesauce cup for him, and some crackers or other munchies for both, which occupy a little of the waiting time.

Oh the restaurant trips can be challenging, can't they?!?!?

Amy

 

We have a "restaurant bag" that we keep in the closet. Whenever we go out for a bite, we just grab the bag and go. We always keep the bag filled with:

bibs
disposable sippy cups
cheerios
mini-paper plates and plastic forks
disposable table placemats

We only go to restaurants with highchairs or booster seats and keep them in there for the whole time. As soon as we get to the restaurant, we put a few cheerios out on their placemats and order milk for them. While they are munching on cheerios, we order our food.

Another trick that has worked for us: We have two single strollers and put the kids to sleep in the strollers before entering the restaurant. While the kids are napping in their strollers next to our table, we order, eat, chat, and have a relaxing meal. When the kids wake up, we're all done with our meal, so we can feed them at their own pace.

Also, I try to clean up a little after the meal and leave a big tip. It always helps to have friendly and accomodating wait staff next time you go.

 

Order fast and no appetizers because they don't put the actual meal order in until the appetizer comes out.

Keep them busy until the food comes with activities. Some I've used:

• mini playdoughs (Target has them in the $1 bin usually)
  mathbox cars or better yet matchbox truck with a removable trailer
  mini aqua doodle sheets
  action figures
  travel colorforms
  when all else fails: keys, pens, cell phones

My boys do not usually get up except to go to the potty once or twice depending on how long it takes for the food to come (they play this card a lot to avoid being trapped, it's not like they really have to go twice but I do let them get away with it just to break up the wait). We also request a booth to somewhat trap them in.

 

#1 we always choose a loud restaurant. So whining or crying isn't noticed. We always go early so they arent tired. We obviously do it with 2 adults and 5 children. Ours have to stay in there highchairs. Its not an option to get out and run. Its dinner time and no different than at home, they have to stay in there seats. Of course we've had a couple nightmare evenings out but for the most part it goes well. We just bring things to entertain like pp's said. If your consistant they will learn whats expected of them when they go out. My boy twin is an escape artist. He can get out of any highchair but now at restaurants he doesn't even try anymore. Just gotta make it lots of fun. We also always eat at the same time. If we ate after them we wouldn't get to eat because we'd have to focus on entertaining them.

 

toys don't work too well for us since the kids spend much of the time throwing them on the floor and we spend our time picking them up....we usually keep them busy with food....graham crackers, fishies, etc. It may ruin their appetite a bit, but i find it keeps them so well behaved!! and we haven't let them out of their highchairs yet unless a grandparent is with us and wants to walk around with them!! I have also bought those straps you can put on strollers and use them on the highchairs. You connect one end to the high chair and the other end to the toy, so if your child throws the toy it only falls a few inches from the seat and it's much easier to retrieve and give back than bending down to the floor every time...

 

QUOTE(Minette @ Mar 29 2007, 11:03 AM) [snapback]24154[/snapback]
In response to my "eating at the table" post, many of you mentioned that you eat out often -- so I thought I'd pick your brain about that too. <!--graemlin:--> <BR><BR>So, what are your tricks for having a successful restaurant meal with your toddlers? <BR><BR>Our first experience was a success in the sense that everyone ate, and all the adults even got to finish their beers. However, we had five adults and two toddlers, so the adults could take turns chasing the kids around the lobby & patio of the restaurant (except for the 5 minutes that the kids were actually eating).<BR><BR>So, how do you do it if you have only two adults and two kids? Is there anyone actually sitting at the table? <!--graemlin:--> Are there ways to "train" or entice them to spend more time in the high chairs?

I would definitely say having entertainment on hand is key. Also, be firm about the whole issue of them staying in their seats. Try to go places you know are pretty fast about getting food to the table, and don't wait until your kids are starving. Maybe even have a little snack with you just in case. If your twins are still in sippy cups, I would suggest bringing them. Even family restaurants have, at best, plastic cups with lids and regular straws.