restaurant toys or ideas

[scoop22]

i find myself running out of ideas when we go to a restaurant. we don't go often but when we do i hate to distract others with ds fussing from being bored. he does a nice job sitting and eating with us but i need some help with entertainment. toys, ideas, etc.
thanks

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[sidmand]

I just have to post with the most amazing toy for restaurants we've found! We've tried a bunch of things, but mostly we don't even bother going to restaurants anymore, however, if it's necessary, this has been a lifesaver, it probably keeps DS amused for a good 1/2 hour:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Train-Toy-Bring-Along/dp/B000089GEJ

One of DS's therapists brought it as a reward and DS cried when they had to put it away so I bought it to try it out and so far so good! DS isn't a huge Thomas fan (I don't think he knows who he is), but he is a big train/car guy. This packs up back into a little holder and although we've only tried it for two plane rides and one restaurant, so far so good!

I just found it in TJMaxx/Marshalls (if you have those?) for $6.99, otherwise I also found it at WalMart for $7.88. I didn't even see it here on Amazon or I probably would've bought it there.

Debbie
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[kristenk]

We have the same little Thomas that Debbie has and DD enjoys it a lot.

Our main go-to travel toy is Playmobil. I think we started out with a girl and pony and then kept adding on when Target got new figures that looked interesting. I would open up the boxes at home first to take out any pieces that were either too small or that I didn't necessarily want her playing with (rifle, sword, etc.). We used regular Playmobil (for ages 4+) not Playmobil 1-2-3 for younger kids b/c it was easier to find regular Playmobil and we were always close by (um, at the same restaurant table!) supervising! :)

[kitmama]

It has gotten harder for us now that there are two boys to egg each other on. However, Littleman is nearly 4, and he is finally getting to the point where crayons and coloring pages work great most of the time. Most restaurants we go to supply these, and I try to have some color wonder pages and markers on hand for other times. (especially waiting rooms!) I only use the color wonder at these times, so it stays interesting.

Sweetcheeks is harder now. He isn't easily distracted, and always wants to run around. I carry assorted toys in the diaper bag- a few cool ones just for restaurants, and some others I rotate. Occasionally the coloring works for him, but not for long. Usually DH simply has entertainment duty until food arrives. Mr. Sweetcheeks is an eating machine, so a good thing is to have the waitress bring something out to munch on as soon as possible. I also try to have goldfish, pretzels, dried fruit or something similar at all times. Thinking about it now, I wonder if a puzzle would work? They're bulky, but I might only need one. Hmm. . .

When they were younger, ice or a lemon slice were very good distractors.

[Marisa6826]

One of the best things I ever found to bring with is the mini Magnadoodle. No crayons to drop, to pens/paper to search for, etc.

I also regularly rotate Little People animals in my handbag.

And this little guy has saved me from more meltdowns than I can even count:

http://www.kidsurplus.com/itemDetail.asp?item=61%20SMA%2089601&brandcatid=586&fromsearch=true

I think I got him from a Hanna store as we were waiting to check out one day. His limbs and head/tail click when they move. He is worth every.single.penny. Seriously. I would get the entire collection if I could.

-m

[Percycat]

I have two suggestions.

I bring a ziplock bag with a few cookie cutters and a couple jars of playdough. At the restaurant, I wipe the table with a diaper wipe and my kids are entertained. I bought a huge box of cookie cutters (100+) and keep them in a box with our playdough supply. I periodically change out the cookie cutters in our restaurant bag and replace the playdough as needed. If I know other kids are coming, I bring extras. Playdough has entertained my kids as young as 18 months and other kids as old as 9.

I bring a Ravensburg 6 block puzzle. The 6 cubes come in a plastic carrying case. The puzzle has six pictures, one on each side of the cube. Young children are entertained by stacking the cubes. Early puzzle solvers can work on the puzzles once the correct images are identified (eg. all cow puzzle pieces are showing on top). Better puzzle solvers can figure out the puzzles. The piecs neatly fit into the carrying case and can easily be carried like a purse or a briefcase by the children. I bought this for my son when he was 2; now two years later, he and his sister still enjoy playing with it. We have a puzzle with bunnies and butterflies, but Amazon has a similar puzzle with farm animals (it says there are 12 pieces, but there are only 6 cubes):

http://www.amazon.com/Around-Farm-Cube-Puzzle-12pc/dp/B0007TG814/ref=sr_1_20/104-8755930-4137547?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1192484966&sr=1-20

Good luck.
angela

[elliput]

Travel magnadoodle. I keep one in both cars just for this reason. Also cloth or board books.

[BeachBum]

My son is 2 (25 mo)
We do playdough too--but I just keep 2 mini sized (like party favor ones) in my bag with a cookie cutter.
I also do little people/ scheig animals, a matchbox car and finger puppets. I just carry a big purse these days and keeps toys like this on hand all the time.

What I've found is that DS does great at restaurants with DH and I. We talk, interact, and engage him. He does awful if I want to lunch with a friend and chat with other grownups. At this age he just isn't able to play by himself while I have conversations he doesn't understand. Unfortunately my non mom friends don't understand either. HA.

[luvmypeanut]

Your ds is probably too young for this, but my ds loves to watch video clips on my camera. He figured out how to work it after watching me do it. He also likes to watch videos or listen to music on my blackberry.

Mini-magnadoodle, trains and cars and books always worked for us. If it's a casual restaurant with roomy tables, I'll let him put together some tracks and play with Thomas.

[new_mommy25]

dbl post

[new_mommy25]

Wikki Stix! http://wikkistix.com/

[Jen841]

These are in our multiple survival kits (few backpacks- 1 per car and one in laundry room as a back-up - they rotate around) for restaurants, weddings, church,...
markers
paper
Color Wonder sets
Magic pen sets
The add water to paint pens/books (ACMoore)
Sticker set (ACMoore)
Matchbox cars (fav for both - 2 and 4)
Cheerio, Goldfish, Raisen, M&M,... board books ---- M&M's too : )
Superman Coloring book (they love to fight over this one)

J (4) loves to draw a road on a plain sheet of paper, then to drive his matchbox car over it. Priceless!

I sacrifice a few wipes. A single wipe can entertain each child for 15 minutes. They "wash" their cars, self, chair, table,...

We received a turtle activity bag from Starbucks. Great thing! I am sure I can refill it with a variety of things in the years to come.

[sand82552]

The travel magnadoodle has been great for us. Other things that have worked are stickers, little people figurines, and of course crayons paper.

[Jenny_A]

For those of you that have Zaxby's Chicken restaurants... they put wikkistix in their kids' meals.

Jenny

[sweetpea]

~ Peek a Boo bags, also called I Spy Bags
~ Stickers
~ Roll of tape
~ Kumon workbooks like this: http://www.amazon.com/Lets-Kumon-First-Steps-Workbooks/dp/1933241128 (The books are small but I tear out the pages and keep a few in my bag all the time)
~ finger puppets

[Corie]

Debbie,

I think I need this for our upcoming plane ride!

Thanks!

[smilla653]

My DS is vehicle obsessed.

We always have a ziploc bag with special little cars that are for restaurants only. This would include tractor-trailer type vehicles for DS to put smaller vehicles in/on.

Then, we also always have a minipack of crayons. We turn over the paper kiddie menu/placemat and draw a road on the blank side. DS pushes his cars on the "road" during most of the meal.

We also engage DS in restaurant activities. Looking at the art on the walls. Pointing out babies and other kids in the restaurant. Asking him what he would like to order. Helping him tell the waiter what he wants, etc.

Sometimes we bring Schleich animals, too.

We also cut it short. No apps. Dessert to go. Ready to order right away. Ask for check when meal arrives. Tip well.

[Tondi G]

How about these

http://www.littletikes.com/toys/toys-detail.aspx?Product_ID=3677&Ne=1&N=26+139

or the Matchbox pop up playsets are great too. They have smaller ones for around $12 and larger ones for 17 I think. They fold up into the size of a large book and when they open up have ramps and such to push cars around on! Various themes.... firetruck, farm, snake jungle, dragon castle, auto center etc

http://www.etoys.com/genProduct.html/PID/4769521/ctid/17?ci_sku=665868F&ci_src=14110944

HTH's you

~Tondi
Mommy to Mason 7/01 and Aidan 5/05

[scoop22]

thank you for all the great ideas. this is perfect timing i can start making lists for christmas as well. I had never thought of some of these. I knew i could count on everyone. We went to a casual place for dinner last night. I took the peek-a-boo bag and he threw it on the floor. dh and i played with it and had alot of fun. we will keep trying. thanks for sharing!!!

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[anamika]

Great suggestions.
I wanted to add this toy
http://www.fatbraintoys.com/toy_companies/dowling_magnets/make_a_face.cfm

It's not exactly what we have - ours comes in a flat tin, so very portable. We managed to entertain DD and the kid at the next table for over an hour (long story) at the restaurant with this toy.

[scoop22]

cute.. these look like fun! thank you

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