Read Mumsnet users top tips for keeping their DC entertained during dinner

[EllieMumsnet]

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Trying to keep your children entertained and not act like wild animals throughout meal times can feel like a bit of a struggle sometimes, especially if you go out as a family to a restaurant. Whether you have to make sure your children don’t throw food around or stay in their seat throughout the entire meal, Frankie & Benny’s would love to know what your top tips are for keeping your children entertained during meal times.

Here’s what Frankie & Benny’s have to say: “Launching this half term at Frankie & Benny's, we're giving away a free Squishie with every kids' meal. You're going to need to head down to your nearest restaurant to collect all ten before they’re gone! If you haven't heard about Squishies, they are cute foamy toys that you can squeeze to you hearts content, before watching them magically re-inflate. There are 10 different adorable Squishies up for grabs at Frankie & Benny’s, tick each one off on our Squishies Passport as you collect them!"

Do you only choose family friendly restaurants to eat out at? Perhaps for meals at home, you cut their food into interesting shapes to ensure there’s an element of fun? What about playing games at the table and if so what kind of games do you play? Or maybe you bring colouring and toys along with you to restaurants?

Whatever your top tips are for keeping your children entertained post them on the thread below and everyone who does will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thank you and good luck with the prize draw!
MNHQ

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We chat about each others days, that generally keeps everyone busy!

choose family friendly one will activities on offer

We talk and discuss matters around the dinner table

A conversation and games like eye spy if out for dinner

We usually have a family chat about how the week is going. But I do usually have back up colouring in books and pens in my bag that normally keeps them quiet!

It is nice for a family dinner, only thing is younger they are it feels like an eternity when have being told to sit still in a strange place. Possibly full of other people which can be intimidating.
Playing a game like eye spy and memory games. For the older child in this day and age a tablet with a game on it that involves everyone would take their mind of waiting for food.

Conversation. Eating out when they were too tiny to engage in conversation was a no-no as there was always at least one who'd try to get down and wander off and you'd always be either wrestling them or retrieving them. Once we could all talk together, it was much easier. We always allowed them to bring a toy as well- as long as it didn't make a noise!

If we are at home, then I try and keep them engaged with conversation. If the tv is on, its only on for music, or a quiz programme that we can join in with

My daughter is usually pretty well behaved so we don't take anything, but if there is colouring or activity stuff there we usually pick it up at the restaurant.

Books and toys and just talking to them! Playing word games and making sure the baby had snacks as he’s always hungry!

we chose places where we know they will have either colouring supplies or a soft play area so my little girl wont be too bored while waiting for our food

We always chat and discuss our days and what's coming up. As much as possible there's no TV's in view and definitely no tech at the table so they need to talk which is great.

Sitting down as a family and making conversation.

we talk about the day we have had and what we will be doing that evening x

Cook interesting food at home (perhaps getting them involved), and try and find reasonably-priced restaurants to go to. We used to collect £10 vouchers from The Times to eat out at some superb restaurants (a long time ago now though). And listen to what they have to say at the table too.

We can keep Leo quite as long as he has carrots on his plate. He is absolutely mad for carrots! So I do loads of them and when he's eaten what he already has, I top him up from the spares. It's a wonder he's not orange the amount of carrots he eats!

Eating out its lots of chatting together and colouring/activity books as most restaurants that are family friendly supply these, always have sensory toys with me like fidget spinner as my son has special needs.

We have the TV on in the background. It helps our dinner go fantastic without any squabbles!

Colouring book and crayons always a must. A little car or fidget toy as backup. Nothing big or electronic.

pens and paper for drawing. I also get them to draw pictures of their plates with food on and then an empty plate when they've eaten it.

If we have a long wait before the meal comes out then my son is allowed to use my phone, but that has to be put away once the food arrives.

We go to family friendly places and generally they have colour in placemats or a play area which is brilliant.

If going out for dinner I always bring small toys and books for my youngest which I bring out every so often to keep her entertained. Most places have colouring/crayons which keeps my kids happy for a while or at least until their dinner arrives!

Colouring in and puzzle books

My kids like to colour, and we choose a family friendly restaurants