Dining out with your kids can be a whole new adventure. As a parent with little ones, you want to be able to go back out to eat at some of your favorite restaurants as soon as possible. Between juggling nutrition, allergies, messes and cleanup, there's a lot to keep track of in a busy environment — and it can be overwhelming! Here are a few tips and tricks that will help to make dining out with your little ones a breeze.
Have a good mindset. We asked our Evenflo family to share a few details regarding their thoughts when dining out with their own little ones:
- “You have to just go with the flow. Things may come up that you weren't expecting — and that's okay!”
- “Set clear expectations for how you want your kids to behave in a restaurant setting.”
- “Be calm, nimble, flexible and present. These key traits will help you to have a successful dining out experience.”
- “Be alert. Dining out can come with a lot of hazards for little ones. Moving glasses, knives on the table or sometimes even burning candles can all be targets that pique your kiddo's interest.”
- “Have creative freedom! At the end of the day, you know what works best for your child and family — do what feels right to you!”
Be prepared. There may be a few no-brainers on your list of essentials: wipes, hand sanitizer and diapers, for example. Here are a few other helpful tools that you may not have thought as much about.
- Pack the Evenflo® Eat & Go™ 2-in-1 Portable Folding Booster Chair for a lightweight, wipeable and on-the-go mealtime solution. Designed for children ages 6 months - 36 months (who can sit up unassisted and weigh up to 33 lb), this booster chair grows with your little one. It features two modes of use, 2-level height adjustment and a 3-point harness for a secure dining experience.
- (Extra tip: Get your kiddo used to using their booster chair at home first before graduating to trips out. It’s great to have one seat for your youngster that’s familiar to them. Plus, having their OWN chair will feel special and important, making the experience easier overall.)
- Pick a kid-friendly restaurant from the start so that you're not battling the expectations of eating out with children. If your kiddos have any dietary restrictions (gluten-free, dairy-free, etc.) or are picky eaters (chicken nuggets are the only option), try to find a restaurant that accommodates your restrictions to eliminate any added stress ahead of time.
- Try to dine out with the same number of adults as you have children to help ensure that every kiddo is supervised and has their needs met in a timely matter.
- Bring their favorite item (such as a blanket, stuffy or binkie) to add comfort to the dining experience overall.
- Pack activities to keep your little ones entertained. This could include coloring books, small toys or even a tablet if you allow screen time for these kind of occasions.
Have fun! Dining out with your kiddos, while at times challenging, should also be a fun experience! It's a great time to bond and have designated family time. It's a break from cooking and an excuse to try new and exciting foods (for all the adventurous eaters out there.) It can also be a great excuse to get out of the house and support local businesses when possible.
With these tips and tricks in mind, dining out with your little ones will become easier in no time!
Learn more about our Eat & Go™ 2-in-1 Portable Folding Booster Chair.