How To Keep A Small Child Entertained At The Restaurant
Keeping a small child entertained at the restaurant can be a challenge. In fact, it’s a common problem that almost all parents face. Especially when children are used to having an independent meal routine.
For example, if they normally eat at day care or school or if they don’t eat with their parents. Even when eating at home, during the early years, children follow different routines.
The fact that the child is small does not justify screaming, behaving inappropriately, throwing things, much less running between tables. Parents are responsible for their child’s good behavior and must take this situation very seriously.
Strategies for keeping a small child entertained at the restaurant
The following strategies are very helpful in getting a small child entertained in the restaurant. In order for them to be effective, explaining to the child what is going to happen and the rules of behavior they must follow is fundamental.
1 – Choose a family restaurant
Not all restaurants are prepared to receive customers with children. Therefore, it is important to choose those that take them into account, which is supposed to be much more than having a high chair for babies. The type of menu or the availability of spaces for children to play after eating are some issues to be considered.
It is also important to choose a restaurant that people usually go to with children because it often has less risk for them and more solutions for their entertainment.
2 – Choose a restaurant where they serve food that the children like
The best way to keep a child entertained at a restaurant is to keep them busy with what they eat. But if the dishes are too sophisticated for them, take too long to be served or if what is served is too strange for the child, the problem is “on the table”.
Therefore, when going out to eat with children, it is important to choose restaurants that have children’s menus. Or places where you know your child eats what he or she will be served. A restaurant is not the best place to have an argument over food. Not to try new things, unless your child is curious about it.
3 – Play to discover the place
While the food does not arrive, you can play with the child to discover the restaurant. An adult must accompany the child to find out what is there. Identifying the facilities, looking for possible play areas and seeing what nice things are there are quiet and fun activities that can help.
Anxiety about going somewhere new and being in a different situation can trigger different emotions in your child. This way, he will feel more relaxed and will not accumulate anxiety sitting in a chair waiting for food.
4 – Take a walk around the surroundings
Children are a ball of energy that cannot be idle for long. If the restaurant does not have a play area for children, they need to release their energy in some way. For this, before the child starts to squirm in the chair, an adult must go out to take a walk with him during the wait.
Letting the child wander between tables is never a good idea. It can annoy other customers and cause unpleasant incidents with waiters.
5 – Bring games and toys to entertain the child
Always take toys with you that can keep your child entertained at the table. Choose toys you know she likes. Of course, they must be small and not too noisy.
The most suitable toys will depend on the age of the children . Keep in mind that leaving your cell phone with her can be a useful solution at first, but it’s not the best.
6 – Take the opportunity to teach
Children are naturally curious. In a restaurant there are many things you can learn and teach. Pay attention to the child and take the opportunity to teach new things. This is a very useful and practical way to keep a young child entertained.
Playing, discovering colors and shapes or making up a story are also effective ways to entertain children in the restaurant.
