Keeping kids entertained at dinner

[ivelle]

Does anyone have any good recommendations other than the usual sticker books and colouring? For a 3 year old and 4.5 year old. We do use tablets and the aforementioned colouring books but wondering if I'm missing anything else. Lots of games I've seen people with such as avocado smash are aimed at older kids. Thanks

Those sticker activity books, especially the dress up ones if you have girls. Eye spy but by colour for young ones e.g. ‘i see something yellow’. Get them a juice and bread basket as soon as you sit down so they’re not waiting for ages.

Happy Puzzle Company has some great toys that keep children busy

Do you mean whilst eating out or at home?

At home I used to read chapter books as they are. Eating out, we'd play age appropriate card games.

and this one is super for young children https://www.amazon.co.uk/Smart-Games-SKU-Trucky-3/

@TropicalTrama that's a really good idea, they like playing eye spy so they'd enjoy that, especially the 3 year old

Colouring books
Sticker books
Activity books
Water painting books (WaterWow or similar)
Busy Books
Mini dominoes
Snap
Dobble (there are version for younger children)
Paper games like Noughts & Crosses

We play talking games - iSpy, 20 questions, the alphabet game. The other thing DC loves and which aren’t too big to take to a restaurant are magnets (Magformers or their unbranded equivalent). DC will sit happily building with them for ages.

They might be a bit young, but we used to play the “yes/no game” - you ask each other questions, but you are not allowed to answer with yes or no.

Read to them if at home ( looks a bit wanky if out)

We used to take those story dice out with us, can't remember what they were actually called. Roll eight dice, all have little pictures on, and you have to make up a story.

Also top trumps maybe for the older child?

And mini jigsaws.

@msmatcha this sounds great for my 4 year old, she loves making up stories. Thank you

20 questions or similar word games .