Once you have kids, the simple pleasure of going out to eat becomes something much more complicated–and potentially expensive. Not only is hiring a babysitter a pricey proposition for every time you want to go out to eat, you also lose the opportunity of giving your kids a chance to practice manners, try new food and gain the experience of dining out at a young age. After all, practice makes perfect and allowing your children to eat out at a restaurant with you is the only way to practice what will eventually–and hopefully–become a regular activity.
How to choose a restaurant with kids
When choosing a restaurant to eat out at with the kids, you will want to make sure it’s kid-friendly. This is not the time to select an eatery that is romantic or tiny. Save the Michelin-starred places for kid-free occasions. There’s nothing worse than getting dirty looks from fellow eaters as your children make a ruckus.
Tips for eating out with children under the age of three
When taking a younger one (under the age of 3) out to eat with you, it’s best to call ahead of time and let the restaurant know you will be bringing your baby. Make sure they have highchairs at the ready and also request an area to sit that’s not in the middle of the restaurant. If you are bringing a stroller, you will want to think about where to store it while you eat. You can always bring a bike lock with you in case there is no room in the restaurant to place it while you eat and you need to leave it outdoors.
Make friends with the manager or owner
Jordan Salcito, founder of RAMONA and Bellus wines, and Director of Wine Special Projects at Momofuku tells Food & Wine magazine: “A good rule of thumb is that restaurants whose owners are parents tend to be particularly accommodating and non-judgemental.” Even if the restaurant’s managers or owners do not have kids, it’s good practice to make nice with them before you bring your baby to the restaurant.
Have baby, will travel
At this point, you are probably used to hauling around a ton of stuff on every outing. Taking a baby out to eat requires some gear, too. You will need to load up your diaper bag with a bottle, diapers, bib, and some toys to keep your baby occupied and happy while you (try to) enjoy your meal.
Tips for eating out with kids ages three and older
At this point, preschool aged and above kids should be in the habit of sitting still for longer periods of time and getting the hang of being out in the world without melting down. Going out to eat with preschoolers can still be a challenge, but as a parent you can lay down some rules and expect your child to follow. Before you head out to the restaurant, clearly outline what your expectations are for the meal and how your kids should act in the restaurant. This is a good time to set some table manners for kids. According to Emily Post, teaching table manners for kids is not about perfection, but instead it “gives kids the confidence and freedom to focus on the social aspects of eating together.”
The top table manners for kids are:
- Wash your hands before coming to the table
- Put your napkin on your lap
- Wait until everyone at the table has gotten their food to eat (this is for older children, who know how to wait patiently)
- Try to keep your body and elbows off the table
- Chew with your mouth closed
- No loud or inappropriate noises at the table (burping, etc)
Keeping kids entertained while out to eat
It’s tempting to just plop a screen in front of your little ones to keep them occupied at the table, but don’t fall into this trap. Not only is giving your kids electronics at the table setting them up for bad habits later on in life, but it’s also removing the opportunity for some family conversations to take place. It can be tricky finding a conversation subject that interests everyone at the table, so this is where some fun games come into play. When you’re waiting for the food to arrive, play some word games or trivia games. Some of the best games to play at the dinner table include 20 Questions or Story Starters, when one person starts a story and another family member adds to the story. Silliness is welcome!
Raising healthy–and adventurous– eaters
Once your children have mastered some of the basic table manners and social skills required to make eating out with kids a pleasure, you can now focus on the next phase of dining. Introducing children to new foods and customs associated with different types of cuisines not only opens their eyes to new cultures, but it also makes them more confident and adventurous. Raising kids to be healthy eaters will set them up for life.
According to Harvard Medical School, starting early is the best way to establish a pattern of healthy eating for a lifetime. For example, incorporating fruits and vegetables into every meal shows your child that they are an important part of mealtime. Other tips for raising a healthy eater are:
- Limit snacktime – or kids will not be hungry for mealtime.
- Stick to water for beverages – juices and soda add unwanted sugar and can fill them up
- Have family meals as many nights as possible. Studies have shown that eating together as a family can improve self-esteem and decrease stress levels for teenagers.
- Have your kids try new food on a regular basis. Serving them the same chicken nuggets every night is not only unhealthy, but it does not open them up to new things.
