Now that restaurants are opening up in our area your children may not be accustom to sitting still during your meal.
Here are some things I have tried as a parent that are not giving them the phone (Which is the easy answer, I know)
I personally don't feel children need to be entertained by their parents but giving them something for that time is important.
A little plan ahead of time can help you all have a great meal.
Let's try and get them learning and connecting with them. Using this time as quality time as a family.
Here are five great kid-tested, parent-approved ideas and activities that keep my kids busy at restaurants.
1. What's Missing?
We learned this game from our furry friend Daniel Tiger! How to play: Each of us takes a turn taking something from the table and hiding it. Then we tell everyone they can open their eyes. Each participant looks around the table to see what is missing. The first to comment on the correct item gets to go next. Sometimes, we just take turns hiding and guessing the missing item. This has saved us from countless meltdowns and tantrums! D.T. would be so proud!
2. Lego kits!
Who doesn't love Lego! One of our favorite shows last year was LEGO Masters and wouldn't it be great to have a small amount of Lego in your car for any occasion. Find instructions for the Lego Kit here:
3. Madlibs
Mad Libs are a fun way to learn about different verbs, adjectives ect. Plus reading the stories outload are hilarious! Our 8 year old loves them! There are tons on Amazon or your local You can find that and so much more at my favorite book store Half Price Books
4. Prepare ahead of time by reading this book
This is one of our all time favorite books that we still refer to when someone says they are bored. "Hey a potato, let's play"
This distraction technique gets them realizing they have an imagination and can imagine being or doing anything. Their minds are an open book to the possibilities. Find it here.
5. For the school age kids
I found this article on games I had never heard of like I packed my grandmothers trunk and in it I put____ and the first person says Alligator and a banana and then the next person adds something with a C. Sounds like a fun game for everyone! See the article below.
I hope these simple ideas and games come in handy next time your kids are getting wiggly while waiting at a restaurant!
