Put simply, you cannot just rawdog it and head to a restaurant with small children aged under 5 and expect them to act perfectly civilised, sitting in one spot for an hour plus. It will not happen unless your child is a unicorn.
We don’t want you to avoid restaurants and cafes for a decade while you’re raising young children because it’s all too hard, so here is a helpful survival guide of how you can vastly increase your chances of having a successful outing that doesn’t leave you saying ‘I’m never doing that again.”
Pack entertainment: Born Bizzy Silicone Drawing Mats
Every good survival game starts with preparation, and this is your secret weapon. Born Bizzy reusable silicone drawing mats are a standout for restaurant outings. They’re compact, mess-free, and endlessly reusable - exactly what you need when you’re trying to buy time between ordering and eating and the chippies come out piping hot (why is that always the case?).
Why they’re a lifesaver:
- They’re like a placemat so kids can eat and doodle
- No paper clutter or desperation when the restaurants pencils are inevitably blunt
- Easy to wipe clean and reuse with water
- Keep kids engaged without screens without feeling anti-social
- Quiet activity (your fellow diners will thank you)
Pro tip: Rotate a couple of small activities (like a sticker sheet or mini puzzle) so there’s always something “new” to pull out when attention starts to fade.
Timing is everything (go early)
When it comes to eating out with young kids, timing can make or break the entire experience.
Dinner might seem like the obvious choice for adults but for kids aged 3–6, it’s often the hardest time of day and feral o’clock (5-7pm in our household). They’re tired, overstimulated from the day, and everyone is running low on patience.Instead, shift your strategy earlier, or rethink the meal entirely.
Booking an early dinner (around 5:00–5:30pm) is a solid move. Kids are less overtired, food usually comes out faster, restaurants are quieter and less overwhelming, you avoid long waits (a major trigger).
But if you really want to stack the odds in your favour? Go for brunch or lunch instead.
Why brunch is a parenting win:
- Kids are typically well-rested and in a better mood
- Hunger hasn’t turned into irritability yet
- The atmosphere is usually more relaxed and forgiving
- You’re working with their natural energy not against it
You’ll likely find your child more cooperative, more engaged, and far less likely to unravel over something small and you’ll also have more patience.
Brunch is your best possible chance to actually enjoy the outing. A simple shift in timing won’t guarantee a perfect meal but it can dramatically tilt things in your favour.
Look up the menu before you go
One of the simplest but most underrated strategies, look up the menu in advance and give yourself the opportunity to pivot if it’s not very kid-friendly.
When you already know what your child will eat, you can:
- Order quickly (reducing wait time)
- Avoid last-minute decision battles
- Set expectations before you arrive
You can even involve your child beforehand: “Do you want pasta or chicken tonight?”
That small sense of control can go a long way in preventing resistance at the table and kids freaking out because something is spicy or something they’ve never tried before.
Don’t wait for everyone to be ready. Order your child’s meal first and fast.Better yet, ask if it can come out as soon as it’s ready. Kids have a much shorter patience window than adults. Getting their food on the table quickly can completely change the tone of the meal.
Plan for movement breaks
Sitting still for long periods is hard for kids aged 3–6, it’s not bad behaviour, it’s just how they’re wired. Instead of fighting it, plan for it. Take a quick walk outside while waiting, let them stretch and get the wiggles out and tag-team with another adult if possible. A 2-minute reset can prevent a 20-minute meltdown.
Final thoughts: play the long game
Dining out with kids isn’t about perfection, it’s about preparation, flexibility, and a sense of humour. Some outings will go smoothly. Others… won’t. And that’s normal. With a little pre-planning, engaging tools like reusable drawing mats and smart timing, you shift the odds dramatically in your favour.
Because this “restaurant survival game” isn’t really about getting through a meal. It’s about slowly teaching your kids how to be in these spaces while still making sure you get to enjoy them too.
And if all else fails, just let them eat dessert.