Tips for Keeping Your Toddler Happy While You Dine Out

I have always loved dining out, but all of my restaurant trips came to a grinding halt when my son turned two, and thus entered the "terrible twos" in full force. After a few months of depriving my family from trips to our favorite eateries, my husband and I got our heads together and came up with some fool proof ideas and tricks that would keep our most feisty little boy happy while we were out to eat.

First of all, the best places to go for any meal are restaurants that are family friendly. Leave the quiet, candle-lit ambience for a date night when you can have a babysitter stay with your child. Fine table linens and toddlers just don't mix no matter who you are! Great places to dine out with your kids will have a noisier, more casual atmosphere where your child's loud protests will be happily tolerated and where they will be able to get up out of their high chairs to walk around without upsetting anyone else's dining experience.

My husband and I have researched and found several restaurants, pubs and coffee shops in our city that have designated play areas complete with everything from rocking horses, to building blocks, and train tables to doll houses. The fare is very good at these places and children's menus are expansive enough to satisfy the pickiest eaters. Long gone are the days you could only take junior out to Chuck E. Cheese's (which is also not a bad alternative, but a break from the loud video games & flashing lights is always good!). All we did was place a few simple calls to places we were interested in eating at and asked whether or not there was a children's area available. You'll be surprised at how many places do!

Now, if you can't find an eatery with a play area, all is not lost. You would be amazed at how cheaply and easily you can keep your toddler entertained while eating dinner. First of all, you want to make sure that the child is able to walk around outside or in the waiting area while you wait for your meal to be served. It is hard enough as an adult to wait half an hour for your food....to a two or three year old this can seem like an eternity.