Kids’ table games/favours

[Rainallnight]

DD is having her birthday party (turning 6) soon. It’s an activity followed by lunch at the restaurant there.

I was thinking it would be nice to have some sort of little game/something little to play with on the table to keep everyone occupied till the food comes. Maybe like a Christmas cracker but in June?!

Has anyone done anything like this and how did it work?

Meri Meri have these beautiful things but they’re VERY spendy. merimeri.co.uk/collections/crackers-surprise-balls/products/rainbow-surprise-balls

NB it doesn’t need to be individually wrapped up for every child. I’m very open to suggestions!

They're incredibly expensive for the crap that's in them, op
Why not just fill a normal party bag and give it to them at the table instead of when they leave?

You’ll notice I didn’t say I was going to buy them.

Anyway! If anyone has any ideas for little things to keep things entertained at the table, I’ll be all ears.

Maybe something crafty?

Have a look at Baker Ross? They have lots of craft kits etc.

Could they just not be seated until the food is served? Seems a way of just buying more stuff that will get left behind/parts lost etc.

Stickers

It's a big ask for 6yr olds at a restaurant, usually something like pass the parcel with age appropriate gifts would do, or a face/ glitter tattoo station would keep them quiet whilst waiting for food at a hall but that would unlikely be feasible at a restaurant. How many of them are there? Maybe a couple of Sticker Dolly Dressing books with them working in teams? That game where you each draw a head/ body/ legs/ feet and fold it over in teams? The I went to the shop and I bought.. memory game? All dependant on how many kids/ what type of restaurant really.

I've done parry bags designed to keep dc busy on an hour's drive recently. Fidget toys were popular, as was little plasticine packs (think they came from Baker Ross).

Best option for keeping dc busy sitting at a table is a "would you rather" book, and read out the scenarios and get the dc to tell you what they would do.