We tend to avoid restaurants and eating out as often as we can, solely for the reason that it’s a delicious money suck. But eating out, not having to cook, trying something new and just getting the heck outta the house is wonderful. It’s also really great for the kids, it’s fun, they also (sometimes/hopefully, okay maybe not) get to try new things and it gives them a good chance to show off all their awesome manners, right? (I’m rolling my eyes too, don’t worry).
Though we don’t do it often, we still like to go out once in a while. Our latest thing is going out for “snacks”, we hit a restaurant (and usually we try to go to different ones, not always the same kid friendly places – because snooze town) between meal times. Usually we shoot for the between lunch and dinner time – “linner” as we like to call it or pre-seniors hours. The kids are much happier at this time, no one is “starving”, no one is grumpy yet (usually) and we order meals to share or appetizers so the bill is cut in half (ish). Then we make a light dinner at home later and everyone is happy like a bunch of clams. So the short end of it, Make Eating Out With Kids More Enjoyable by going to restaurants between meals – take the family on a day date, and then tell me later how much more enjoyable and affordable it was!
Mind. Blown. Why haven’t I thought of this?! We love to eat out and my daughter is great at restaurants but it’s just too expensive most of the time. Can’t wait to use this strategy to get out of the house on the coming soon cold winter afternoons!
We totally said the same thing when we tried it for the first time, total game changer!
I second the above, why have we not tried this yet?! Sometimes we have little trips just for juice and a treat, but a pre dinner meal is a great idea!