Ways to entertain 8-month olds in highchairs at restaurants....

yesterday i took my 8-month olds to a restaurant for dinner...they actually loooved the high chair but they got fussy after awhile b/c i think they were bored! i brought gerber puffs but all they did was pick them up and drop them on the floor. i also gave them their stroller toys and that lasted for a few minutes too...i realize they are still young, but i'd appreciate/love any ideas you have...thanks!

 

What about things they normally don't get to play with? Napkins? Plastic Cups? At that age we didn't take the girls out to each much, but we'd just do snacks or toys and if they got bored, wrap up the food and run. Sorry that is probably not that helpful.

 

We had that problem a couple weeks ago. Plastic cups are a big hit, especially when you hide things under them. If you carry a calculator in your purse, that works well too. I ended up bringing those fabric books that squeak, a rubber ducky (they love the thing), a variety of teething rings and a fisher price cell phone. We kept a bag full of wet ones on the table for when someone dropped something, and kept the toys on rotation. They started to lose it near the end (we were there about an hour) but DH came up with the brilliant idea of putting napkins on their heads and playing peekaboo and they loved it - squeals and shrieks of delight all round!! I didn't bother with the finger food as for the most part, mine just push it onto the floor to see what will happen. They like teething biscuits, but I didn't want to give them those in restaurant as I'd have to watch them constantly incase a big piece came off.

 

I havent dared take mine to a restaurant yet but at home they LOVE playing with their spoons or sippy cups.

 

Bring a variety of snacks in different colors and textures. I also bring books and a few different toys.

 

Sippy cups were a hit at that age because they were still new and different. Straws worked great. But I have to say, mine love Cheerios and Puffs, so that usually does the trick!

 

My babies love fisher price shape blocks, the small ones that go along with a sorter box. I like them because they are small and I can take them places easily. They are nice on the highchair tray. ALso, I have two small highchair toys that attach to the try with suction. They love those and they cant knock them on the floor. One is by Manhatten Toy and the other is Sassy.

 

At that age I would still keep them in the stroller and feed them on the snack trays. They would do much better in something they were used to and I could contain them better. If I had to use a high chair, I would hold them for a bit before putting them in so that they spent less time in there leading up to the food.