Dining Out With Kids? These Products Will Make It More Enjoyable For Everyone

If you’re eating out with your kids, these products will make mealtime a much calmer experience.

June 09, 2021

By: Amanda Mushro

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Photo By: Cavan Images

Must-Have Gear for Dining Out with Kids

Eating out with kids can be tricky. You’ve got to time everything just right — when you arrive, the crowds, when their food comes, when your food comes — it’s all a balancing act. Sometimes, you walk out of the restaurant feeling like a champ. Other times, you run from the restaurant swearing you’ll never go out again — it’s a balancing act, parents. Believe us, we’ve been there. So, if you are trying to find ways to keep kids entertained at restaurants or searching for gear to makes meals out easier with kids, we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you’ll need to make a restaurant meal more enjoyable for everyone.

Reusable Drawing Pad

For kids who love to color, doodle, and draw, this reusable drawing pad is an eating out must-have. Just toss this kit into your bag before you head out the door and your kids will have everything they need to be artists at the table. You’ll love this reusable drawing pad because the markers are washable, so no need to worry about messes — and kids will love that a little water wipes away all of the color so they can use this kit over and over.

BUY IT: Amazon, $14.29

Toddler Utensils

You're out to eat with your little one and the waiter hands your kid a huge fork and spoon. You can already see the spills and giant messes happening. Instead, grab a set of these toddler utensils that are designed for little hands. The fork and spoon come in a small case, so you can toss them in your bag and have them for every meal away from home. While we can’t promise zero messes when eating with kids, their own silverware set should help.

BUY IT: Amazon, $6.99

Skoolzy Peg Board

There are lot of reasons to love the Skoolzy Peg Board — it’s totally portable and perfect to play at a table, it comes with a bag to carry all the pieces, big kids and little kids will love to stack and create, and you’ll want to jump in on the stacking fun. From helping with fine motor skills, to learning colors and shapes, this one is fun and educational. Just be sure to count all the pieces before and after to make sure you don’t leave any behind!

BUY IT: Amazon, $19.97

Disposable Stick-On Placemats

These mats give kids a fun surface to play on at the table and even come with a little car that kids can play with. The mats are helpful when it comes to dirty surfaces, and they're perfect if you are sharing your food. Also, if you’ve ever been at a restaurant where your kid’s plate goes flying off the table, these mats will help keep plates on the table and off the floor.

BUY IT: Amazon, $8.99

Waterproof Bib

How could someone that little be so messy? We don’t know either, but those cute cloth bibs just won’t cut it anymore. Instead, grab a set of these waterproof bibs that are long enough to cover most of your baby or toddler’s clothes and the pocket will catch a lot of the food that doesn’t make it into their mouth. These bibs are so easy to clean and pack for the next adventure out.

BUY IT: Amazon, $13.39

Magnetic Drawing Board

Stash this magnetic drawing board in your bag — it comes with a carrying case! Break it out as soon as you are seated or if there is a wait at the restaurant. Kids will love drawing, erasing, and drawing again — and you might get the chance to eat your meal in peace.

BUY IT: Amazon, $10.99

Wooden Pattern Blocks

This is a great activity for a little quiet time before their food arrives. Each kit comes with wooden shapes and pattern cards. So, kids can follow the pattern cards to build the animals or use the pieces to make their own creations.

BUY IT: Amazon, $16.99

Washable Busy Book

This book has interactive pages so your kids can play with different activities while waiting for their food. The soft cover is easy for kids to carry and the entire book can be tossed in the washing machine.

BUY IT: Amazon, $35.95

Wipes Dispenser

Eating out or at home means messy kids — so take this wipes dispenser with you to clean up those messes. The case is small enough to fit in your bag and will make sure the wipes don’t dry out.

BUY IT: Amazon, $9.99

Sticker Books

Each set of these Melissa and Doug sticker books comes with three different boards and lots of puffy stickers. It’s perfect if you are eating out with more than one kid. The best part of the stickers is that they're reusable, so kids can create and play with the sticker book again and again!

BUY IT: Amazon, $18.29

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