Eating out with kids can be fun, but waiting for food to arrive can test everyone’s patience. Keeping children entertained at restaurants is a common challenge for many parents and caregivers. Bored or restless kids can disrupt other diners and make the meal stressful for the whole family!
So, games are a great way to keep kids busy and happy while waiting at restaurants. Simple activities using items found on the table can turn wait times into enjoyable moments. These games can help children practice important skills like counting, creativity, and social interaction. They also give families a chance to bond and make memories together.
Let’s get into the games!
1) Coloring Books with Crayons
Coloring books and crayons are a classic way to keep kids busy at restaurants. Many eateries provide these items, but it’s smart to bring your own just in case.
A small bag with coloring books and crayons can easily fit in a purse or backpack. This ensures kids have something to do while waiting for food.
Coloring helps children stay focused and reduces restlessness. It also allows parents to enjoy their meal with fewer interruptions.
Choose coloring books with age-appropriate themes. Animals, vehicles, or favorite cartoon characters often work well. Jumbo crayons are good for younger kids, while regular crayons suit older children.
Some parents keep a dedicated restaurant bag in their car. This makes it easy to grab coloring supplies before entering the restaurant.
Washable crayons are a good choice. They help prevent stains on clothes or restaurant furniture. Remember to bring wipes for cleanup after coloring.
2) Sticker Activity Pads
Sticker activity pads are a great way to keep kids busy at restaurants. These pads come with reusable stickers and scenes to create with them.
Kids can make their own stories by placing stickers on different backgrounds. Some pads have themes like animals, vehicles, or fairy tales.
Sticker activities are quiet and mess-free. They don’t require markers or crayons that could stain restaurant tables or clothes.
Many sticker pads are compact and easy to carry in a bag or purse. This makes them perfect for on-the-go entertainment.
Some sticker sets include carrying cases to keep all the pieces together. This helps prevent lost stickers and makes cleanup simple.
Sticker activities can be educational too. Kids learn about colors, shapes, and storytelling while they play.
These pads work well for a range of ages. Younger kids enjoy simply sticking and unsticking, while older children create more complex scenes.
3) Magnetic Travel Chess
Magnetic travel chess sets are great for keeping kids engaged at restaurants. These compact games feature pieces that stick to the board, preventing accidental spills or lost pieces.
Many travel chess sets fold up into small, portable cases. This makes them easy to slip into a bag or backpack when heading out to eat. The magnetic boards often double as storage for the pieces.
Chess helps kids develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It teaches strategy, planning, and decision-making in a fun way. Even young children can learn the basic moves and enjoy playing.
For beginners, simplified versions with fewer pieces are available. These allow kids to grasp the core concepts before tackling the full game. Some sets include helpful guides printed on the board.
Magnetic chess works well for kids of various ages. Older children and teens can play competitive matches, while younger ones might enjoy just moving the pieces around. The tactile nature of chess pieces can be soothing for fidgety kids.
4) Word Search Puzzles
Word search puzzles are a great way to keep kids busy at restaurants. Many restaurants offer kids’ menus with built-in word searches. If not, parents can easily make their own.
To create a custom puzzle, draw a grid on a napkin or paper. Fill it with letters, hiding words related to the restaurant or meal. Kids can circle the words they find.
For younger children, use simpler words and a smaller grid. Older kids might enjoy longer, more challenging words. Parents can give hints if kids get stuck.
Word searches help improve vocabulary and spelling skills. They also boost concentration and visual perception. Kids can work on them alone or compete with siblings to find words fastest.
This quiet activity keeps children engaged without disturbing other diners. It’s perfect for filling time while waiting for food to arrive or between courses.
5) Reusable Water Reveal Pads
Water reveal pads are a great option for keeping kids entertained at restaurants. These no-mess coloring books use water instead of paint or markers.
Kids simply fill the included pen with water and “paint” on the pages. Hidden pictures and designs appear as if by magic when the water touches the paper.
The pads come in various themes like animals, vehicles, and the alphabet. This allows parents to choose topics that match their child’s interests.
Each pad typically contains 4-6 reusable pages. Once the water dries, the pictures disappear and can be colored again.
The compact size makes these pads easy to carry in a purse or diaper bag. The water pen conveniently stores in the cover, keeping everything together.
Water reveal pads are suitable for toddlers and young children. They help develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination through a fun activity.
These pads provide quiet entertainment that won’t disturb other diners. They’re an excellent way to keep kids occupied while waiting for food to arrive.
6) Puzzle Cubes
Puzzle cubes are great for keeping kids busy at restaurants. These small, portable toys can provide a challenging mental workout while waiting for food.
Many puzzle cubes come in different sizes and difficulty levels. The classic 3×3 cube is a good starting point for most children. Smaller 2×2 cubes might be better for younger kids.
Parents can bring a few different types of puzzle cubes to the restaurant. This gives kids options if they get stuck or bored with one puzzle. Some cubes have pictures or patterns instead of colors, adding variety.
Puzzle cubes help develop problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination. They’re quiet toys that won’t disturb other diners. Kids can work on solving the puzzles alone or race against siblings to see who can finish first.
For extra fun, parents can time their children as they try to solve the cube. This adds a competitive element and helps pass time more quickly while waiting for meals to arrive.
7) Lacing Cards
Lacing cards are a fun and quiet activity for kids at restaurants. Parents can bring a set of cardboard shapes with holes punched around the edges and some colorful shoelaces or string.
Kids thread the lace through the holes to create patterns and designs. This game helps develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
The portable nature of lacing cards makes them ideal for restaurant settings. They take up little space and can be easily packed in a small bag or purse.
Children can create different shapes like animals, vehicles, or geometric forms. The activity keeps young minds engaged while waiting for food to arrive.
Lacing cards are suitable for a range of ages. Younger kids can practice basic threading, while older children might attempt more complex patterns.
This quiet game won’t disturb other diners. It’s a great way to keep kids entertained without causing disruption in the restaurant environment.
8) DIY Bead Bracelets
Making bead bracelets is a fun activity for kids at restaurants. Bring a small container with colorful beads and elastic cord.
Kids can choose their favorite beads and string them onto the cord. This keeps little hands busy while waiting for food.
Alphabet beads add an extra element of fun. Children can spell out their names or create secret messages on their bracelets.
The activity is quiet and mess-free, perfect for restaurant settings. It also helps develop fine motor skills and creativity.
Once finished, kids can wear their new bracelets or gift them to friends and family. This adds a sense of accomplishment to the dining experience.
Remember to bring scissors to cut the cord when the bracelet is complete. Always supervise young children with small beads to ensure safety.
This simple craft can turn waiting time into a enjoyable and productive experience for kids at restaurants.
9) Mini LEGO Sets
Mini LEGO sets offer a compact and portable way to keep kids engaged at restaurants. These small sets typically contain 30-100 pieces and can be easily carried in a bag or pocket.
Parents can bring a few mini sets to the restaurant, giving children a fun building challenge while waiting for food. The sets often feature popular themes like cars, animals, or characters from movies and TV shows.
Kids can work on assembling their mini LEGO creations on the table or a placemat. This activity helps develop fine motor skills and sparks creativity, all while keeping little hands busy.
Once finished, the small models can become instant toys for imaginative play. Kids might act out stories with their new LEGO figures or vehicles, extending the entertainment value.
Clean-up is quick and easy, as the pieces can be swiftly gathered and stored back in their small containers. This makes mini LEGO sets a practical choice for restaurant outings.
10) Connect the Dots Puzzles
Connect the dots puzzles are a great way to keep kids busy at restaurants. These simple games help children practice number and letter sequences while creating fun pictures.
Parents can bring printable connect the dots sheets or draw their own on napkins or placemats. Kids can use crayons or pencils provided by the restaurant to complete the puzzles.
Connect the dots games come in various difficulty levels. Younger children can start with basic shapes using few dots, while older kids might enjoy more complex designs with higher numbers or letters.
These puzzles offer more than just entertainment. They help improve concentration and develop image recognition skills. Kids also get to practice their hand-eye coordination as they draw lines between the dots.
For added fun, parents can time their children or turn it into a friendly competition between siblings. This can make the waiting time at restaurants fly by quickly.
Connect the dots puzzles are quiet activities that won’t disturb other diners. They’re easy to carry and require minimal supplies, making them perfect for restaurant outings with kids.
11) Travel Bingo
Travel Bingo is a fun game that can keep kids entertained at restaurants. It’s easy to set up and play while waiting for food.
Parents can create simple bingo cards with pictures or words of items commonly found in restaurants. These might include salt shakers, menus, or waiters.
Kids look around the restaurant to find the items on their card. When they spot something, they mark it off. The first player to get a line of marked items wins.
For younger children, parents can use pictures instead of words on the bingo cards. This makes the game accessible for kids who can’t read yet.
Travel Bingo can be adapted for different themes. A food-themed version might feature common menu items or ingredients.
This game encourages kids to observe their surroundings. It can help them stay quiet and occupied while waiting for their meal to arrive.
Parents can bring small prizes to give the winner. This adds extra excitement to the game.
12) Spot It! Card Game
Spot It! is a fast-paced card game perfect for keeping kids occupied at restaurants. The game consists of circular cards with various symbols printed on them.
Each card has exactly one matching symbol with every other card in the deck. Players race to find and call out the matching symbol between two cards.
This game is easy to learn but challenging to master. It helps develop visual perception skills and quick thinking in children.
Spot It! comes in a small, portable tin that fits easily in a purse or pocket. This makes it ideal for bringing to restaurants or other outings.
The game can be played by 2 to 8 players, making it suitable for families of different sizes. It’s also adaptable for various age groups, with simpler versions available for younger children.
Spot It! offers multiple game variations using the same deck of cards. This keeps the game fresh and exciting for repeated play during long waits at restaurants.
13) Origami Paper and Instructions
Origami can be a great way to keep kids busy at restaurants. Many places provide paper napkins or placemats that work well for folding. Parents can also bring their own origami paper just in case.
Simple origami projects like paper airplanes or fortune tellers are perfect for beginners. Kids can follow along with easy step-by-step folding instructions. More advanced origami animals or flowers may appeal to older children.
Origami encourages focus and fine motor skills. It’s a quiet activity that won’t disturb other diners. Kids feel proud when they create something with their own hands.
Parents can learn a few basic folds beforehand to teach their children. Or they can look up tutorials on their phones at the table. Either way, origami provides entertainment until the food arrives.
With some paper and creativity, kids can make all kinds of fun shapes while waiting for their meal. It’s an engaging way to pass the time that sparks imagination.
14) Magnetic Drawing Boards
Magnetic drawing boards are a great way to keep kids busy at restaurants. These portable toys allow children to draw and erase without making a mess.
Many magnetic boards come in travel-friendly sizes that fit easily in a bag or purse. Kids can create pictures, practice writing, or play games like tic-tac-toe on the erasable surface.
Some boards feature multiple color zones or double-sided designs for added variety. The magnetic stylus is usually attached, so there’s no risk of losing it under the table.
Parents appreciate that magnetic drawing boards are quiet and don’t require batteries. They help develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination in young children.
For longer waits, kids can play guessing games by drawing objects for others to identify. Older children might enjoy creating stories through a series of pictures.
Magnetic drawing boards offer endless creative possibilities to keep kids entertained until the food arrives. They’re a smart choice for restaurants, as they’re clean, quiet, and engaging.
15) Tangram Puzzle Sets
Tangram puzzle sets are great for keeping kids busy at restaurants. These ancient Chinese puzzles use seven geometric shapes to create various figures and objects.
Parents can bring a small set of tangram pieces and puzzle cards to the restaurant. The compact size makes them easy to carry and use at the table.
Kids can try to recreate the shapes shown on the puzzle cards using the tangram pieces. This activity helps develop spatial awareness and problem-solving skills.
Tangrams come in different materials like plastic, wood, or magnetic versions. Magnetic sets work well on metal restaurant tables, preventing pieces from sliding off.
For younger children, simpler tangram puzzles with fewer pieces can be a good starting point. Older kids may enjoy more complex designs that use all seven shapes.
Parents can also challenge kids to create their own designs using the tangram pieces. This encourages creativity and imagination while waiting for food to arrive.
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