I may be a hardcore crafter, but I’m also a mom running around like a chicken without a head half the time, especially at restaurants with my kids. I have two girls, 16 months apart, and I don’t cook. Hence, we go to a lot of restaurants. (don’t judge me) Recently we went to one of our favorite spots (shout out to Poquite Mas) and it was a total disaster. I mean, kids crying, getting up every second, bothering other people, you know the drill. And this was before we even ordered our meals! We stuck it out, but it was not a pleasurable experience by any stretch. So I did a little research, texted all my friends, asked for help on Facebook and put together a little Restaurant Survival Guide for all of us. I tried to include all the best ideas you can purchase, along with ideas that don’t cost a thing. If you have any other ideas please share them in the comments. We’d love to hear them!
*This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support!
THANKS MAMAS
I have to say, the advice came rolling in fast and furious. So many great ideas from experienced moms who know what’s up. There were a few things on everyones must have list and then a few really awesome surprise suggestions. Here’s a list from the experts…aka my mommy friends. Thanks ladies. You are amazing!
First, you’ll need some kind of kit you can leave in your car that holds all your secret weapons. I’m going with a Frozen Lunch Box
for each of my girls. I think it’s a good idea for each child to have their own bag of tricks, though my friend with three girls, just relies on one simple backpack
with everything in it.
*NOTE* Before I get into all the suggestions, one thing that seems to be essential, is that whatever you have in your survival kit needs to live only in your car so it’s fresh and new to your kids for the restaurant. If they just played with it at home they may not be as into it when your server is slammed and it seems to be taking ages just to get your water. I was a waitress, so I know how that goes. We need to be prepared mamas! Slangin tacos ain’t easy.
1. Black Magic Scratch Art
This is going in my kit for sure. I learned about these babies from The Artful Parent and they are so awesome. I know my girls will love them. Again, they will not be an option any other time than in the restaurants so they are super psyched to use them. I can’t wait to use them either.
2. A Kid Friendly Video Camera
Yup, this was one of my favorite suggestions. It’s pricey, I know, but awesome and would make a great birthday present. I just put in a family request for my girls. My girlfriend keeps this Fisher Price Video Camera in her car in a backpack and never forgets it for a restaurant outing. Her kids just make videos the whole time they are waiting for their meals. So clever. My girls will love this for sure.
3. Wikki Stix
or Modeling Beeswax
Another friend told me she has a few friends who swear by crafty no mess Wikki Stix to keep their kids busy pre and post dinner time. Then, a reader told me about Modeling Beeswax
that is completely hygienic and doesn’t smear or crumble, making it awesome for kids waiting to get their mac n cheese on. (I mean their salmon and veggies)
4. Wind Up Toys
I love this idea because I think it would really entertain kids for a while and they come in so many characters so whatever your child is into would be great to have on hand. I found these ballerina ones! So cute.
5. Crayons or Markers
Ok, this is an easy one. Most restaurants even have them on hand if they are kid friendly, but it’s certainly easy enough to throw a little box of crayons into your kit. If you want to get fancy, try these crayons or these markers
, if your kids are a little older. My first graders couldn’t get enough of them when I taught elementary school.
6. Imagine Ink books
My amazing mother in law introduced us to these Imagine Ink books where the color only shows up with this clear marker you use over the entire picture. My almost four year old devours them so I’m going to start packing them in our kits. Coloring books were also super popular. If your kids are into Doc McStuffins, get a Doc McStuffins Coloring Book
. If they are into cars, get a Cars one
. Whatever the interest, there is likely a coloring book to match.
7. Cars
My girls aren’t into cars, but I’m guessing there are some mamas out there who have hardcore car lovers in their crew. Try a few new matchbox cars in your kit. That seems to be a sure thing.
8. Magiclip Dolls
Ok, I know I’ve mentioned Frozen stuff a few times, but the truth is, little girls freaking love Elsa and Anna and I ain’t mad at the movie. I think the themes and characters are great. Plus, I went to a party once where a little girl brought a lunch box full of these dolls and the kids were entertained for like two hours. It was amazing.
9. Plus Plus Design Pieces
These were confirmed to be awesome by several people and for many ages starting around 3. Another mom of three said she never goes to a restaurant without them. I’m in!
10. Small Book Box Sets or Any Favorite Books
I thought the little book set was a really good suggestion and something easy you can throw in your purse or kit. We have this set that’s super cute and my girls really like it. They are also hardcore into Beautiful Oops
right now, which is nice and small, and Lines That Wiggle, but that one would only fit in a backpack
.
11. Scribble Journals
Ok, these journals are super cool! My friend Agnes at Hello, Wonderful told me about them. Her kids love them. My girls are really into little books and cards they can draw in. Another somewhat similar idea is to put some blank index cards and envelopes in your kit and make cards for friends and family. We’ve been doing this lately at home and it’s really fun.
Not a problem, here’s a list of games and activities you can do on the fly and all you need is a little imagination.
1. Play “Tic Tac Toe”
Use forks or knives to make a board and the sugar packets can be the x’s and o’s.
2. Play “Eye Spy”
Eye spy with my little eye a server bringing our food. HOORAY!
3. Play “Makes Me Think Of”
My friend, mom of three, and superstar blogger at Art Bar told me about this one. You start with a word and add “makes me think of…” So, “Marshmallows make me think of chocolate milk.” The next person says “Chocolate milk makes me think of…camp.” The next person “Camp makes me think of friendship.” And so on. A few rounds and dinner is served.
4. Play “Finish My Story”
Basically one person starts a sentence or two of a story and then each person at the table adds a little to it until you get to the end. We did this when I taught kindergarten and all the kids loved it.
5. Ok, I’m going to say the thing that no mother is supposed to say.
When all else fails, give em your iPhone.
Happy dining everyone! I hope this is helpful. I will be making my Restaurant Survival Kits this weekend. Poquito Mas, here we come!
We love Eye Spy! I’ll be checking out a bunch of these cool products! Thanks for this!
Eye Spy never dies. That game has been around forever! Thanks Ana!
My mom (mother of 3, grandmother of 5) always keeps a “restaurant bag” in the car for going out to eat. One of the bests things in the bag are different colored, small, plastic bears (you can buy a tub of a few hundred online). She keeps with them the little colored cups that you dye Easter eggs in. The kids (ages 1-4) love to sort the colors into cups, make up stories about the bears, count the bears, make shapes with them, etc. Super easy and cheap. It does take some parental (or grandparent!) involvement (especially since they are small objects for the little ones), but they love it. I think the positive attention they are receiving makes a big difference in attitude as well (instead of feeling ignored…which sometimes happens if the adults are all trying to talk with each other). As they get older they can happily play on their own with these too!
Diana, I love that idea! I know those bears. We used to have them in my kindergarten class and the kids loved them. Such a great idea. They would be fun sorting in an egg carton too. Thanks for the suggestion and I love your name. My little one is Diana : )
This was a( I can’t believe I didn’t think of some of these moment). We have 2 year old twins and my husband loves to go out to eat. I mostly live in terror of it. These will help ! THANKS
YAY!!!!! You just made the hours of time I put into this totally worth it!!! Great great great. We don’t have to suffer!!! Good luck!
Fantastic list! We like wikki stix too and love the idea of finishing stories – gotta try that next time. Also thanks for the shout out!
xoxoxoxo love those doodle books Agnes.
Please someone tell me the name it these bears u speak of. I have grand kids and would love this. Thanks
If you search “counting bears” on Amazon, they will pop right up. 🙂
here you go! http://www.amazon.com/50-Counting-Bears-5-Cups/dp/B0006PKZBI