How to entertain 11mo during meal times on holiday

[GettingOldWithoutStyle]

She is fine when she's eating but only has a tiny amount so I never get to finish a meal with her jumping about on my tummy 😫 we also have a 5 and 3 yo with us. Any suggestions? We have a load of Toys but inevitably I end up crawling around looking for them on the floor. I have no idea what surfaces she will be eating from so can't guarantee that high chair toys will stick.

Thanks 👍

And obviously I'm not looking for hours of entertainment as I have the other two eating like hounds 😂 but just enough for me to get through my meal

High chair for as long as possible and then I guess you and DH will have to take turns 😅

Go to family friendly restaurants or an all inclusive hotel so you can go to the buffet quickly then back to activities. Mealtimes are boring for young kids and an 11 month old won’t be able to entertain herself. Or take it in turns to take her out as pp said.

What sort of holiday is it? And where?

I’ve taken my DS on two cruises, one at 6 months, one at 15 months. On both of them I found the staff incredible with him. At 6 months one evening our waitress took him for a walk round the restaurant so we could finish our meal, and she always got our food first before other tables.

At 15 months we had loads of staff (and other guests) helping to entertain him while we ate. Eg playing peekaboo, bringing him different foods to try, chatting to him. During the day we’d eat at buffets, and he’d have his tea at the buffet, but in the evening we put him in the onboard nursery while we had a sit down dinner. Although on the nights he wouldn’t settle at the nursery/he was seasick, my DP and I took it in turns to eat/go to a bar or something.

99% of the children will be watching a screen, especially if it's a family AI place. We were in one in Greece and there was a LOT of Peppa Pig on (including my DS, no judgement). Luckily most people had the volume off too.

Sit her in the buggy with toys attached

Breadsticks, dry cereal, raisins etc

Breadsticks, I'd forgotten about that one!

Am I wasting my time trying to find some sort of mat to play with ? I don't really want to do screens.

It is an all inclusive buffet sort of thing. We did a Toby carvery yesterday and became very aware how tricky this will be with two kids to take up for food 😀 🤦

I’d take extra snacks such as breadsticks and things also raisins and blueberries as they take longer for them to pick up 😂books, toys. They do some good Montessori busy books on Etsy that have lots of things to do and they are perfect for at the table. I’d also take the pushchair with some toys attached so if they get too bored you can move them into there.
I agree with you on the screen thing, we have a no screen at the dinner table rule. We just play and chat with them. Have a lovely time x

Another tip is not to put her in the high chair until the food arrives. They only have so much patience/ tolerance for being trapped in one spot!

Aqua draw type mats are good.

Pop her in her buggy after the meal and clip a few toys onto her pushchair straps.