Here’s what I bring to restaurants to keep my kids seated, engaged, and happy while we’re out at restaurants!
My Restaurant Activity & Toy Bag: What I Pack For My Kids
Let me preface this post by saying that you do not need any of these things. You can simply pack your kids up, go to a restaurant, and be. However, if you have four very energetic, curious, and young neurotypical kids as I do and want something to keep them occupied while you have an adult conversation, I’ve got you!
Also, no shame at all to the parents who bring iPads/devices to restaurants. Whatever works for your family is all that matters! We have a dear friend who’s child is neurodivergent and the only way they can survive a meal out is with headphones and an iPad. Everyone is different and whatever lets you sip your coffee, wine, or mocktail in peace is all that matters!
If you’re new here, I have 4 kids currently and this post is written for them at their ages of 3, 3, 5, and 7. I’m sure this list will change as they’re all a bit older (and one day I won’t need a restaurant bag!)
A few things about this restaurant bag:
- It’s a backpack! I find it’s easier to carry (I’m usually carrying a toddler, so those big shoulder totes get too clumsy.)
- I always pack the basics in there along with the toys and activities – hand sanitizer and baby wipes.
- I try to keep it simple – drawing, stickers, building.
- I always pack this bag on a Friday so that it’s ready for the weekend! It might need a mid-weekend purge/repack if we’re going out a lot in one weekend, but it usually stays in the car and I bring it back in on Sunday evening.
- I like to add something new or exciting each week – this can be simple, like one weekend I put some Bandaids in a change purse. THE LEVEL OF EXCITEMENT!
- Avoid something that will be very messy for restaurant servers – like slime. Playdough can even get a little dicey. It’s also age dependent (my 5 & 7 year olds can handle Playdough, but it’s tough to do with my 3 year old twins.) Or, be prepared to clean up a lot during/after your meal.
What’s In My Restaurant Activity & Toy Bag
- Blank drawing pads: I love these, because the sheets rip out easily, but it’s all contained in one place.
- Mess-free marker activity books: These are especially good for my 3 year old twins but they don’t quite excite my older kids as much.
- Retractable markers: these are easier for me to keep in order in my bag, because I don’t have to go searching for marker caps.
- Silky crayons: my older kids love silky crayons (they’re more sensorially exciting than standard crayons)
- Retractable coloring pencils: you never need a sharpener!
- Stickers: honestly my kids just always go crazy for stickers. They’ll stick them on our arms or on a piece of paper, a doll, a car, whatever.
- Coloring pages: I will print a few of these out – I find that my kids will rarely color from a coloring book, but they love a printed coloring page (I think it’s the weight of the paper?) I love iHeartCraftyThings.com for hers!
- Puzzle books: my oldest LOVES these puzzle books, and he’s usually working on one, so we’ll throw it in the bag.
- Mini magnetic blocks: these blocks are wonderful, but they’re pretty small, so be sure to check your surroundings before you leave (they’re easy to leave behind!) They come with a little building guide with examples, but my kids love to free build.
- Magnetic men: when you get to a restaurant and the table is metal, you know it’s going to be a good mealtime. These magnetic men are great, they stick on most silverware, but they’re great too on those metal tables or chairs.
- Handheld water game: I’m not sure what to even call this, but it’s nostalgic, and my older kids love these.
- Sticker books: my daughter adores these sticker books and they’re definitely better for that 5+ age range (for full self-sufficiency.)
- Water color books: these are great for restaurants, because you don’t have to bring extra paints – everything is within the coloring book!
- A book: a scratch and sniff, a lift the flap, or a seasonal book (loving this one!) is always in there. This just requires more one-on-one time. Once the older kids are fluent readers, I’ll definitely bring books for them in the bag.
- Legos: I’ll throw a handful of Legos in a Stasher bag with a 10 x 10 baseplate.
- Playdough: if you dare! Jokes aside, my kids are actually pretty good with Playdough, and it’s generally easy to clean up. I draw a hard line at slime!
I hope you found this post helpful!