Don’t Let the “Restaurant Scaries” Stop You From Making Memories

Eating out with kids can sometimes feel less like a relaxing meal and more like an adventure you didn’t exactly plan for.

Between picky eaters, short attention spans, spilled drinks, and the inevitable “When is our food coming?” family restaurant outings definitely come with their own challenges.

But that DOESN’T  mean you avoid them until the kids are older. Then you’ll have 7 year olds who rely on entertainment at restaurants.

Eating out gives children a chance to practice patience, make choices, try new foods, interact with new people, and learn how to behave in different environments. And, just as importantly, it gives your family another opportunity to make memories together (both the good and the bad.)

Here are five ways to make eating out with young children a little easier.

1. Choose the Right Restaurant

Not every restaurant is equally suited for young children—and choosing the right place can make a huge difference.

Look for restaurants with a relaxed atmosphere, family-friendly seating, a reasonably quick menu, and several options your children are likely to eat.

This might not be the season of life for a two-hour, five-course dinner, and that’s okay! Choose a restaurant that works for your family right now.

2. Check the Menu Before You Go

Take a quick look at the menu online before leaving home.

Knowing what your child can eat—and having a backup option in mind—can prevent a lot of last-minute stress once everyone is sitting at the table and hungry.

If your child is a picky eater, don’t be afraid to ask whether the restaurant can make simple adjustments. Sauce on the side, plain noodles, separated ingredients, or a simple version of a dish can sometimes make all the difference.

3. Bring a Few Quiet Activities

Waiting is hard when you’re little!

A few simple activities can help bridge the gap between ordering and eating without requiring you to bring an entire toy box.

Try bringing:

• Coloring pages and crayons
• A small book
• A simple puzzle or card game
• Stickers
• A favorite small toy

When in doubt, activity it out! If there’s one thing we’d like you to take away 

The goal isn’t to keep your child perfectly entertained every second. It’s simply to have a few tools available when that waiting time starts feeling a little too long.

4. Give Kids Some Control

Children often enjoy restaurant visits more when they get to make a few choices.

Let them choose between two meals, pick their drink, or decide whether they want fruit or vegetables with their food.

Limited choices allow children to feel involved without turning dinner into a negotiation.

Instead of asking, “What do you want?” try something like, “Would you like chicken or pasta?”

A little independence can go a long way.

5. Keep Your Expectations Realistic

Young children aren’t going to behave like adults at a restaurant—and we shouldn’t expect them to.

Instead of expecting perfect table manners for an entire meal, focus on a few simple expectations:

Use an inside voice. Stay in your seat when possible. Be respectful of other diners and restaurant staff.

And remember to notice when things are going right, too.

A quick “I love how patiently you’re waiting,” or “Thank you for using such nice manners with our server,” can be much more effective than only pointing out mistakes.

Remember to Enjoy the Experience

Perhaps the most important tip is to take some of the pressure off yourself.

Family meals don’t have to be perfect.

There may be spilled drinks, dropped forks, unfinished meals, bathroom trips at the worst possible moment, or an unexpected meltdown right before the check arrives.

That’s part of eating out with kids.

The goal isn’t a flawless restaurant experience. It’s spending time together, letting your children experience something different, practicing important life skills, and creating family memories along the way.

So don’t let the “restaurant scaries” keep you home.

Pick a family-friendly spot, pack a few crayons, lower the expectations a little—and go make the memory.