Taking your toddler to a reataurant..

Just wondering what you all do or bring to keep them occupied. We go out all the time, and we're going out tonight but she gets bored quickly and then wants to walk around the restaurant, when we're eating

Re: Taking your toddler to a reataurant..

I usually bring a grandparent. That usually keeps the little bugger happy.

Re: Taking your toddler to a reataurant..

Jordana is GREAT at restaurants. Sometimes I bring a book or crayons/paper. But mostly, she is occupied by eating and the table. We get bread for her and have her food brought up as soon as its ready. We also put her in a high chair so she can't move around so much.

Re: Taking your toddler to a reataurant..

We just bring books & crayons and we order & eat as fast as possible. Not so enjoyable. It's getting harder & harder.

Re: Taking your toddler to a reataurant..

Posted by racheeeee

I usually bring a grandparent. That usually keeps the little bugger happy.

Re: Taking your toddler to a reataurant..

crayons, books, stickers. I don't break it our right away either and I do it in stages.

She is super nosey, so that helps..

Re: Taking your toddler to a reataurant..

Normally nothing, but we went out Tuesday night and Nate was just a monster. I think part of it was that he was tired, but he was also really board with the crayons. So next time, I'll make sure he has a car or something else to play with.

Re: Taking your toddler to a reataurant..

We bring some stuffed animals and books. The restaurants give her crayons.

We usually let her play with a piece of bread or some finger food and that keeps her happy.

Re: Taking your toddler to a reataurant..

A toy, crayons or food will always keep him busy. I also make sure he has napped well. A tired Jeremy is no good for anyone!

Re: Taking your toddler to a reataurant..

We take them out to eat a lot! They are very good. I usually have some crayons and paper in my bag, but basically we just keep them occupied by talking with them and doing some fun learning activies.

Re: Taking your toddler to a reataurant..

tons of books, STICKERS!!!!, magnadoodle, crayons, and DD tends to eat a ton at restaurants because I'm shoving food at her to keep her quiet. Sometimes she's great, sometimes she's bored & fussy. We also walk her around the restaurant. Dinner is no longer the same!

Re: Taking your toddler to a reataurant..

It's generally pretty awful. We tend to order the meal and the check at the same time.
Last week, we went just for dessert...to try to get her used to it. She is 3.5, but does not want to eat leisurely! We had a lovely 15 minute dessert!

Re: Taking your toddler to a reataurant..

I never thought to bring anything with us. Charlie is pretty good, for the most part. But I'm definitely bringing some stickers next time!

Re: Taking your toddler to a reataurant..

My family owned a restaurant for years so it was kind of important to me that my kids had proper restaurant ettique even at an early age...( I know, but it's one of my things)...anyway I would never allow them up to walk around. If you do it once then they always want to do it. I limit trips to the bathroom so they know that that is really not an option either..KWIM? As far as keeping them busy I usually make sure they are good and hungry so they are going to eat..we make a big deal over the menu and what we are going to order. I tend to order their food right away so basically they are on dessert while I am on dinner so we are all ready to go at the same time (mommy doesnt need dessert)...My girls are older now but when they were little I used to have a bag just for restaurants and doctors offices etc..Special little silly toys that they normally would be bored with quickly but b/c they were "special" it was great fun...I also made them a part of what they ordered and looking at the menu etc...that alone took up a good 15 minutes.

Re: Taking your toddler to a reataurant..

Thank ladies, last night didnt go to well lol. She was such an angel all day, right up until we sat down at the restaurant. Ill def. be tring some of your ideas from now on!!!

Message edited 7/25/2008 8:27:39 AM.

Re: Taking your toddler to a reataurant..

I usually bring coloring books, or water colors...Sticker books work well too...

I do not get his food before ours because then when its our turn to eat he wants to play....

ETA- we go out to eat about twice a week, since DS was little- so he has kinda just "learned" the right way to behave.

Message edited 7/25/2008 8:37:26 AM.

Re: Taking your toddler to a reataurant..

Posted by racheeeee

I usually bring a grandparent. That usually keeps the little bugger happy.

Re: Taking your toddler to a reataurant..

I bring a bag of tricks.

crayons and coloring books
magna doodles
little figurines
new find-playdoh-once they stop trying to eat it, thank g*d for non-toxic.
color wonder markers and sheets

We order for them first they eat and then when our food comes the bag of toys comes out.

We usually go to a fridays, chilis, cheesecake factory type places because they are loud and tons of atmosphere for them.

Re: Taking your toddler to a reataurant..

I bring crayons, stickers, aquadoodle, etc. I think it's important to teach kids to be polite and sit the entire time while in a restaurant.... last week we went out and the kids behind us were jumping on the seats, throwing things and screaming... and the parents did nothing It's one of those things that if you don't start early it's more difficult later on.

Re: Taking your toddler to a reataurant..

Nothing but the DVD player works now. He gives us at least an hour.

And when that fails, we move onto ice cubes. We give him a glass and a spoon filled with ice cubes. This is a bit messy but it works

Re: Taking your toddler to a reataurant..

Re: Taking your toddler to a reataurant..

coloring books/crayons, books...but cars will always work.

Little matchbox cars can keep him busy for most of the time.

Re: Taking your toddler to a reataurant..

Re: Taking your toddler to a reataurant..

SNACKS!!!!
We bring lots of snacks to keep her quiet. And toys to distract her. She's also a slow eater, so if they bring her food out first, she's usually still eating when our's arrives.
I found it more difficult taking her out to dinner when she was an infant...I love going now!
We also have a seat we bring with us to latch onto the table instead of using the restaurant high chair. So she's used to the seat and is comfortable in it.

Re: Taking your toddler to a reataurant..