Going out to dinner with kids can be a lot of fun but also quite challenging too, especially when they are young. Kids naturally want to move around, make noise, and play with others which can all be problematic in a restaurant setting.

Handing over an electronic device is an easy way to keep the kids entertained, but what about opting for these options instead?

COLOURING IN AND DRAWING

Bring notebooks, coloured pencils and pens, and colouring in books and paper to help keep the kids entertained. It’s best if you bring either something new or something which hasn’t been seen for a while to create the maximum amount of excitement and interest. You can even print off colouring-in sheets online if you don’t have any books at home

BOOKS TO READ

Reading might not keep everyone entertained but most kids will enjoy flicking through a new book even if it is only for a little while.

If you have very young children bring along some board books, so they can look at themselves. Older children might enjoy reading chapter books, comics, or magazines.

There’re plenty of picture books you can choose from to suit all ages and reading abilities. Check out your local library and stock up on interesting books before you next head out (hint: books with flaps or interactive bits will be extra fun!)

SIMPLE CARD AND BOARD GAMES

A restaurant is not the place for a loud game of Charades or a board game with lots of pieces but there are still plenty of games that are suitable for this environment. Bring along a deck of cards, UNO, or games such as Connect 4, Guess Who? or Tic-Tac-Toe

It can also be a great time to teach your kids some classic games you can play with a piece of paper and pen – think of Hangman, Noughts and Crosses or Dots and Boxes. You’ll be surprised at how quickly your kids pick it up and are then able to play independently.

SIMPLE CRAFT

There’s a whole range of mess-free craft items you can pack and take along with you. There are no-mess painting with water options, Origami, and Scratch Art sheets activities you can choose from. Of course, you can also encourage drawing or sketching as well.

Going out to dinner with the whole family can be a challenging time. But if you go prepared, you’ll be able to have an enjoyable time without the need to rely on electronic devices to keep the kids entertained and quiet.