How To Keep A Young Child Entertained In A Restaurant

Entertaining a young child in a restaurant can be challenging. In fact, it is a common problem that almost all parents face, especially when children are used to having an independent meal routine, for example, if they eat normally in kindergarten or school or if they do not eat with their parents. . Even when they eat at home, children have different routines for the first few years.

One of the main problems that parents who eat in a restaurant with children face is getting them to be calm and seated for a long period of time, much longer than they usually sit during meals. Keeping young children busy and entertained without disturbing other diners is a challenge.

The fact that the child is small does not justify screaming, behaving inappropriately, throwing things, much less running between tables. Parents are responsible for the good behavior of their child and should take this situation very seriously.

Strategies for entertaining a young child in a restaurant

The following strategies are very helpful in getting children entertained in a restaurant. To be effective, it will help a lot to explain to children what is going to happen and the rules of behavior to follow.

1 – Choose a family restaurant

Not all restaurants are prepared to eat with children. That is why it is important to choose those that take them into account, which is much more than having a highchair for babies. The type of menu or the availability of spaces for children to play after eating are some issues that must be taken into account.

It is also important to choose a restaurant where people usually go with children, because they tend to have fewer dangers for them and solutions for their entertainment.

2 – Choose a restaurant where they serve food that children like

The best way to entertain a child in a restaurant is to keep him busy with what he eats. But if what they serve are dishes that are too sophisticated for them, they take a long time to serve the food between courses or what they put on it is too strange, the problem is served.

That is why it is important to go to eat with children at restaurants that include children’s menus or where you know that your child eats what they serve. A restaurant is not the best place to have a discussion about food or to do experiments, unless your child is very curious about it.

3 – Play to discover the place

While the food arrives you can play with the child to discover the restaurant. An adult should accompany the child to investigate what is there. Identifying the services, looking for possible play areas and seeing what nice things there are are quiet and entertaining activities that can help.

Anxiety about going to a new place and being in a different situation can trigger different emotions in the child. This way you will feel calmer and you will not accumulate anxiety sitting in a chair waiting for food.

4 – Take a walk around

Children are a ball of energy that cannot be idle for long. If the restaurant does not have a children’s play area, it is necessary for them to release their energy in some way. To do this, before the child begins to squirm in the chair, an adult should go out with the child during the waits.

Letting your child wander between tables is never a good idea. It can annoy other diners and cause unpleasant incidents with the waiters.

5 – Bring games and toys to entertain the child

Always carry toys that can entertain the child at the table, toys that they know he likes. Of course, they must be small, that they do not make noise, that if they fall they do not roll off and that they do not alter them too much.

The most suitable toys will depend on the age of the children. Keep in mind that leaving your mobile phone with them can be a useful solution at first, but it is not the best. In addition to exposing you to the child breaking it or doing something inappropriate with it, noise can be very annoying.

6 – Take the opportunity to teach them

Children are naturally curious. In a restaurant there are many things they can learn. Paying attention to the child and taking the opportunity to teach him new things is a very useful and practical way to entertain him.

Playing I see, discovering colors and shapes or making up a story as you go, are some effective ways to entertain children in a restaurant.