Restaurants, Don’t Forget the Kids!

Children are the future foodies of the world! Never before have we seen children enjoying pho and ramen, or even sushi and seaweed. With the unique food options continuing to grow, children are being introduced to more foods at a younger age and thus are able to appreciate a wide array of options beyond the traditional kids’ fare.

When creating menus for your restaurant, it is easy to forget about the younger ones. Yes, the adults are the ones that are paying the bill but the younger ones are often determining how long the adults stay in the restaurant. An upset kid may equal leaving early and skipping out on the dessert. Unique food choices, kids’ menus and crayons are often all it takes to keep kids happy and entertained at the table. Today, we revisit a post from June 2015 on “Creative Ways to Engage Kids and Keep Them Entertained at Your Restaurant”.

Creative Ways to Engage Kids and Keep Them Entertained at Your Restaurant - Original Post Date: June 4, 2015

It's a battle both restaurant owners and parents fight - keeping kids entertained at a restaurant. As a restaurant owner, you know this is a battle best fought on a united front with parents. The following are fun and creative ideas that will make dining at your restaurant with the kids a much more pleasant experience for everyone:

Kid-Friendly Menus

Offering colorful, activity-packed kids placemat menus is a great place to start to keep kids entertained. Kid menus can be customized to match the theme of your restaurant and can include a wide range of games including tic-tac-toe, word finds, mazes, word scrambles and more. Don't forget to offer a pack of crayons, as well.

Sophisticated Menu Choices

Sophisticated might not be a word most people would associate with children's menu choices but increasingly, parents are expecting restaurants to offer something beyond nuggets and fries for the 12-and-under set. Restaurants are responding to parents' requests for healthier, more interesting options for their kids to try out.

Consider offering smaller versions of regular menu items to add variety to an otherwise ho-hum kid's menu. In this way, kids feel more engaged with their food and with the overall dining experience.

What are some ways you keep kids entertained at your restaurant? Let us know in the comments below!