If you’ve ever found yourself anxiously waiting for your food while your child starts climbing under the table, coloring on the menu, or asking, “Is our food ready yet?” every 30 seconds, you’re not alone.
Eating out with kids can feel overwhelming. Between long wait times, hungry little ones, and trying to enjoy a meal yourself, it’s tempting to hand over a phone or tablet just to make it through dinner.
The good news? Keeping kids entertained at restaurants doesn’t have to involve a screen. With a little creativity and a few simple items tucked into your bag, you can turn waiting for food into an opportunity for fun, conversation, and connection.
Here are 10 screen-free restaurant activities your kids will actually enjoy.
1. Play the Duck-links Anywhere Game Set
Our favorite (of course!) is the Duck-links Anywhere Game Set because it was designed specifically for moments like these.
Kids can race to build colorful duck chains, practice matching colors, strengthen fine motor skills, and challenge siblings or parents to quick games—all without taking up much table space. The compact travel case fits easily into a diaper bag or purse, making it perfect for restaurants, waiting rooms, road trips, and vacations.
Best of all, it encourages conversation and laughter while everyone waits for the meal to arrive.
2. Play “I Spy”
“I spy something green.”
This classic game never gets old. Younger children practice observation skills while older kids enjoy coming up with creative clues. Every restaurant has plenty of objects to discover.
3. Tell a Silly Story Together
One person starts with a sentence.
“Once there was a duck who wanted to become a firefighter…”
Then each family member adds one sentence to continue the story. The sillier it gets, the more everyone laughs.
4. Bring a Favorite Book
Keeping one or two small books in your bag makes waiting feel much shorter.
Reading together not only keeps children engaged but also creates a calm moment before the excitement of dinner.
5. Draw Together
A small notebook and a few crayons can provide endless entertainment.
Try drawing:
Your favorite animal
Your dream vacation
A funny monster
Your family
What you think dessert will look like
6. Play “Would You Rather?”
Ask fun questions like:
Would you rather fly like a bird or swim like a dolphin?
Would you rather eat pancakes every day or pizza every day?
Would you rather have a pet duck or a pet dinosaur?
These simple questions often lead to hilarious conversations.
7. Create a Scavenger Hunt
Can your child find:
Something red
A number
Someone wearing glasses
A flower
A menu with pictures
A spoon
A booth
A baby
This encourages observation without disrupting other diners.
8. Practice Counting
Restaurants are full of opportunities to build early math skills.
Count:
Tables
Ceiling lights
Windows
Salt shakers
Forks
Pictures on the wall
Young children won’t even realize they’re learning.
9. Play “Memory Tray”
Take a few safe objects already on the table, like sugar packets, crayons, a spoon, and a napkin.
Ask your child to study them for 20 seconds, then cover one object with a napkin or remove it while they close their eyes. Can they guess what’s missing?
It’s a fun way to build memory and attention skills.
10. Ask Conversation Starters
Sometimes the best entertainment is simply talking together.
Try asking:
What made you smile today?
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
What’s one kind thing you did this week?
If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?
What’s something you’re excited about?
These little conversations often become the moments kids remember most.
Family Connection Doesn’t Have to Wait
Restaurant meals don’t have to feel stressful or screen-filled. With a little preparation and a few simple activities, waiting for your food can become an opportunity to laugh, learn, and connect as a family.
At Giplings, we believe some of the most meaningful memories happen during everyday moments—whether you’re waiting for dinner, traveling together, or simply spending a few uninterrupted minutes around the table.
Those ordinary moments often become the ones your children remember for years to come.
