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

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

Entertained? They are eating why do they need to be entertained ? I talk to them we have conversations . We dont eat out much but if we do that would be a family freindly restaurants they have always been taught manners so know how to behave and dont expect me to entertain them . The little one like to colour or i look at a comic

When children were little I'd take a small toy or a notebook and pencils to keep them entertained if they started to get bored, but generally i'd make sure we were at a family friendly restaurant so we can all relax and enjoy our time together

Colouring books are always a good idea. Otherwise its usually trying to keep them talking or letting them watch video/ play games on my phone. We usually take ours to a restaurant that has a play area so that they don't get bored.

We talk to our children constantly. Engaging them in their surroundings or with their likes and interests. Interactive toys are useful when away from home but only as a last resort.

we rarely eat out, but when we do it is either when we are away from home or as a treat. Most local independent restaurants , cafes or pubs are all very friendly and welcoming for families with children and some of our favourites our dog also. Sorry but I find chain "family friendly" places to be chaotic, with poor food, service and dogs are certainly not welcome.

When we go out we choose restaurants that are family friendly and have food the children eat. We take paper and crayons, drawing books and paper.

At mealtimes at home, we talk to the children about their day and any plans they might have for the future, or just general conversation or chitchat. We don't let them play at the table, but try instead to engage with them in conversation. We carry on in this vein when we eat out, and, thankfully, there have not been any difficulties around fellow diners.

In a restaurant I used to take some paper and pens for children when they were very little and liked it when restaurants had menus or placemats that could be coloured in. After about five years old though I'd expect children to sit and chat without having to be "entertained". The main thing that makes a restaurant family friendly for me is that service is quick.

If we go out for dinner with my toddler I put The Cubeez from youtube on my phone. Keeps him from getting irritable and more willing to eat his dinner. It's a Godsend :)

We like to chat. Phones are banned from the table. It's nice when restaurants provide colouring pencils and pictures.

Dinner time is the one time when the family is all together. Encouraging each child in turn (as well as the adults) to talk about there day. What did they do that was fun, what wasn't so fun. Also name a type game can be fun ie each person takes it in turn to name a type of fruit. For older ones you can make it more of a challenge by going in alphabetical order>

Just conversation. I think that it's really important!

Involving them in discussions that interest them

We love colouring, Ava loves to pretend to be a waitress and write food orders out too! We do spellings and numbers

Crayons and books, and hoping for quick service!

Conversation and jokes always works with us. I like to think we're a naturally funny family so meal times is never a dull moment and the kids are always giggling.

crayons and colouring sheets

We go to the family friendly restaurants as they tend to be more relaxed and offer food that the children will eat. Having the sheets with word searches and colouring etc on does keep them entertained for a while, while we wait for our food. The refillable do-it-yourself drink dispenser is always popular too, for some reason, along with getting your own salad and making your own dessert. We tend to go out when family are visiting so the children are entertained by each other

Two things - Silky magic tricks (making things disappear and reappear).

Also we like to look at other people/tables and make up weird and wacky stories about where they have been or where they might go afterwards. The wackiest story will win a 'prize' such as the ability to order their own dessert or enter the PIN number .

Noughts and Crosses on a serviette, I spy, or, if there's one of those free refill dispensers for drinks, making a slave 'waiter' of him works really well!

I usually take some pens and a magazine for them but I’m also guilty of letting them play with their tablets!

Dinner is not a time for entertainment. In fact, entertainment should be discouraged. It's a time for eating.

Chatting and interacting as a family is the best way to spend a dining out experience.

Before eating electronic games, during food and afterwards converstaion

We always pick a family friendly place - my two kids are 3 and 1 and like typical toddlers its hard to keep them entertained while waiting on food. Some of our local restaurants have softplay areas within them which are great for entertaining little ones. When we visit our local Frankie and bennys we tend to order a kids fruity drink or milkshake while we wait as a treat which they love and keeps them distracted for a while