Crayons at Restaurants

[KrisM]

Do you leave them or take them? Tonight we were at a place that gave us 2 sets of crayons. Both were in sealed plastic bags that needed to be torn open. Both kids wanted to bring them home. I never know if I should or not. What do you do?

[kimberley-k]

It took me awhile to realize it, but 98% of the places we go always hand out brand new crayons, and apparently just throw away all the once-used crayons (what a waste!). So by all means, take them home and save them from the landfill!

-Kim

[klwa]

If we're given a new set, we take them with us. If we're given a few crayons out of a pile, we leave them. I fiure if they always hand us a new set, they aren't going to reuse them, but if they give us the used ones, they obviously DO reuse.

[caleymama]

If we're given a new set, we take them with us. If we're given a few crayons out of a pile, we leave them. I fiure if they always hand us a new set, they aren't going to reuse them, but if they give us the used ones, they obviously DO reuse.

:yeahthat:

[skygoddess]

I leave them behind, but mostly because I don't want any non-washable crayons in our house.

[Ceepa]

We usually them behind because DC have about a million crayons at home. And DC never seem to even think about taking them, thought they sometimes want to bring the food-splattered placemats they've colored on. And yes, we sometimes bring those home. blech.

[kijip]

If they are in a individual package and given to each child, they are a freebie take home thing. (but we tend to leave them because we don't need them, he has too many art supplies at home already) It they are from a mug/cup that is obviously being reused each time, they are to be left behind.

[SnuggleBuggles]

If we're given a new set, we take them with us. If we're given a few crayons out of a pile, we leave them. I fiure if they always hand us a new set, they aren't going to reuse them, but if they give us the used ones, they obviously DO reuse.

Another :yeahthat:

~Beth

[lizajane]

i worked at a restaurant that handed out crayons. the used ones were thrown out when the table was bussed. take them home!!! save them!!! save their little crayon lives!!

[writermama]

Unless it's obvious that the restaurant re-uses them, I take them. Then, since they're usually unwashable ones I'd rather not use at home, I stash them in a ziplock bag. When I've collected a bunch, I donate them.

[kransden]

I ALWAYS save them if they would be thrown away. I give them to my kinder, 1st and 2nd grade teacher friends for their classrooms. I also give them to the Sunday School. It is a win win situation.

[s7714]

If they're in individual bags we usually take them if the DDs want them. If the host/hostess grabs them out of a bulk bin, then I usually decline those crayons and give my DDs the ones I always carry in my purse. I've seen some places put the "used" crayons back in the bin while others throw them out. Personally I find the mass user idea to be a germ convoy waiting to happen, so I avoid them regardless.

[MarisaSF]

I leave them behind, but mostly because I don't want any non-washable crayons in our house.

I only want washable crayons in my house too.

My solution to restaurant crayons is -- (1) I have a bag of them that I keep in my purse for outtings. (2) If I have the bag with me (usually) I turn down the brand new crayons so they can be given to someone else.

[Melanie]

When they're in the little packages or boxes we take them. When they're singly or just rubberbanded we do not.

[caleymama]

My solution to restaurant crayons is -- (1) I have a bag of them that I keep in my purse for outtings. (2) If I have the bag with me (usually) I turn down the brand new crayons so they can be given to someone else.

I usually do something similar too. Forgot to mention it before. I tend to keep them separate from the girls' regular crayon selection.

[kijip]

I only want washable crayons in my house too.

My solution to restaurant crayons is -- (1) I have a bag of them that I keep in my purse for outtings. (2) If I have the bag with me (usually) I turn down the brand new crayons so they can be given to someone else.

Smart idea. :thumbsup: I am going to have to start doing that.

[Tinkerbell313]

We also keep the crayons if they are new. I just keep them in the diaper bag and use them for those restaurants that don't hand out any to children.

[Corie]

If we're given a new set, we take them with us. If we're given a few crayons out of a pile, we leave them. I fiure if they always hand us a new set, they aren't going to reuse them, but if they give us the used ones, they obviously DO reuse.


That's exactly what we do too.

[scoop22]

sometimes we take them sometimes we don't. when we go to local places sometimes they have them in a cup. we don't take them. if we go somewhere they are packaged we take them. it also depends on how much i want to deal with them. i always keep a pack in my diaper bag anyways. sometimes i just replace them. more often than not we leave them.

[egoldber]

I usually leave them no matter what. I always have a small bag of them just in case we need some. But I just don't need anything else in my bag and I definitely don't need any more crayons at home. I never thought about taking them to school, but they are a bit particular on brand.

[supercalifragilous]

If I can see they'll be reused, we leave them. if I know they're going in the trash, we take them home and add them to our pile.

They can be donated to day care centers (they're always getting broken) or preschools. I shave them to use for art projects @ home. Last Valentine's Day, I had just enough to make the heart-shaped molded crayons in Family Fun for DD's entire class.