Dining out with toddlers can feel like a high-stakes mission. Between balancing menus, napkins, and the ever-looming possibility of a meltdown, it’s tempting to reach for the nearest screen to keep the peace.

But what if I told you it’s possible to enjoy a meal out as a family without depending on iPads? Whether you’re looking to build long term habits for family meals or just make it through dessert without a tantrum, I’ve got practical, judgment-free tips to help you navigate the chaos with confidence—and maybe even some fun along the way.

Why should you try ditching the screens at meal times?

Dining out is a great opportunity for kids to practice social skills and learn how to behave in restaurants. These moments also help them learn how to interact respectfully in other public settings.

In the long run, these opportunities serve as the groundwork for building waiting skills. Without a screen, kids can practice patience and learn to entertain themselves creatively, which are valuable life skills.

Most importantly, dining out without screens can also support intuitive eating, helping kids develop a healthier relationship with food. Intuitive eating thrives on mindfulness—being present while eating. Without the distraction of a screen, kids can better focus on how their body feels—recognizing when they’re hungry, full, or just in the mood for a bite of something new.

While screens aren’t inherently bad, relying on them as the default for every challenging moment can make it harder for kids to develop self-regulation and problem-solving skills.

So let’s get into how you can stop depending on screens when dining out with your kids.

1. Make a Simple Restaurant Bag

Create a simple restaurant bag that includes 2-3 screen-free activities that you can bring along when dining out. You do not need to pack a ton of activities. These activities can help when weaning your kids off screens or help with waiting if you’ve never introduced screens. Our favorite items to bring are a book to read, a coloring book or a water wow coloring book (that is mess-free and reusable).

You can pick items that align with your child’s interests – squigz, mini magnatile builders, vehicles, trains, fidget toys, etc. I’ve created a list of ideas HERE.

You can use these same items when traveling too!

2. Hold On To The Activities

Before you pull out the activities, give your kids a chance to self-entertain. Let them take in the new environment around them. Talk to them about what you’ll be eating today, flip through the menu together, let them observe you ordering. Use the activities as a waiting tool and bring them out one at a time.

Consider putting your little on in the high chair until the food arrives so they won’t get over it before it does. If you’ve got a high energy kid, you might need to walk around the restaurant for a bit if the food is going to be a while.

For older toddlers, you can also play games like Eye Spy!

3. Set Expectations Before Hand

If your kids are used to screens at the restaurant, you will need to talk about the change at home. Don’t drop it on them once you’re at the restaurant as it can cause big feelings. If you know your child is going to have a big reaction to the change, consider starting the conversations a few days earlier to ease them into it.

Get them involved in picking what they would like to bring to the restaurant instead of the iPad. This can help them get excited about the change and feel in control when they can pick their own new toy to bring along!

If your kids use screens for all meals, dropping them at the restaurant might not be the right first step for you. Consider starting no screens for meals at home.

4. Eat Together

Some families like to order their kids meals to arrive before their own. I think this creates a problem because when kids are done eating, they have nothing to do and might be restless to leave but the parents still need to eat! Eating at the same time is a better strategy that allows everyone to enjoy their meals together and not look for entertainment options for kids.

5. Pick Restaurants That Are Kid Friendly

Choose kid-friendly restaurants, as these environments are typically more accommodating of kids being kids, which can alleviate some of the pressure parents might feel.

You may also consider visiting restaurants during less busy times if you’re feeling anxious about entertaining your kids without screens.

6. Expect Resistance and Prepare To Handle It

When transitioning to dining out with kids without relying on screens, it’s important to expect some resistance. Meltdowns might happen during this adjustment period, but consistency is key if this is a change you value for your family. If things escalate, consider stepping outside for a quick break to help everyone reset.

With time, practice, and repetition, you’ll likely find that dining out becomes smoother and more enjoyable without screens, fostering better engagement and creating memorable experiences together.

Parting Words

One more thing I’d urge you to consider — what about when your kids are older? will they continue depending on screens as a crutch during meal time? If you want the answer to be no, and they currently use screens, you will have to break the habit sooner or later. It might be the case that you want to avoid the discomfort right now, but you’ll have to go through it later too!