tips for dining with a 20mo child??

[dmank]

THe little guy doesn't like being in a high chair much, unless he is eating. Even then he sometimes prefers my lap.

Does anyone know of good distractions?

He's not into coloring yet, but maybe when we go in Jan he will be.

We have also booked mostly buffets so we can get in and out fairly easily, but I know there will be a couple times I really need something small and quiet to keep him entertained.

He's my 3rd, but I still haven't found any good distractions that work well, so am posting here for any suggestions!!

thanks.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

It's a little pricey, but we took a kid-proof (V-Tech - exceptionally durable) camera with us to WDW last spring for my 2 yr old. It has games on it that kept him still in the queues. (We did CS for meals, so...)

Does he like to make things? What about those Bend-a-roos?? You can purchase a similar product (in much smaller quantity) called Wiki-sticks - same exact thing.

As a server, they'd tell us to use cardboard coasters as building blocks, maybe pilfer a few of those for your backpack? (I guess Memory games pieces would work too)

Have you checked at the local dollar store to see if there are any little toys you could pack?[/FONT]

 

[ppan77]

This may sound crazy but we keep a charged portable DVD player with us!! We kept it under the stroller hidden under our extra change of clothes for the kiddos while we toured. I pulled it out for most meals especially TS. It is a must whenever we go to a restaurant!!! Also, those twirly light up toys may help, matchbox cars, playdoh, just make sure you have new toys so they seem exciting to play with on the trip. I usually pick up some things at a dollar tree before we leave.

 

[dmank]

thanks for the suggestions...

I do love the idea of the portable dvd, but DD4 and DS6 would probably all fight over it and complain of the unfairness of it all if the baby got to use it. I'm not lugging 3 dvd players(ha).

I do the coaster thing sometimes, or stack sugar packets. And that does sometimes work. Need more ideas like that. [wikisticks is a good idea]

He has just gotten into cars, but I could see those rolling all over the floor, and then he would want on the floor. If there are any table games with Cars, that would be ideal... hmmm.
[As a side note, when my older son was 3 he was thoroughly entertained waiting in line for rides by rolling his cars over the railings/walls/everywhere].

I'll have to load up at the dollar store... maybe playdoh.

 

[mupt02]

Here are a few more thoughts:

pipe cleaners (can be reused over and over)
books
rubiks cube (may not get the concept, but have fun turning the sides)
some macaroni and a couple of cups (to pour back and forth)
shape blocks/cube (the square that has all the different shaped holes and the pieces that go in the holes)
crackers/goldfish/other little snacks (so they can start eating without having to wait)

 

[hillview]

New toys (small) wrapped up is what I use on airplanes. They contain say a new matchbox car or the like. Also going for walks is key. Ordering quickly. Getting DC a drink asap. Get the drink with the glow clip on car or tink. You'd be surprised how entertaining Disney can be -- kids dressed up as princesses kept my typically unhappy at a table DS happy!
/hillary

 

[woodkins]

I used to bring the mini figurines that Disney sells at the Disney store and parks. We had a set from the Fairies, Toy Story etc. I would pack them in a freezer bag & she would play with them alot. Also magnetic paper doll type toys, WalMart has a line of these types of toys. They come in a metal tin that is the size of a story book. They had a circus theme, trucks, weather kids, and a zoo. Disney also sells a princess one, not sure if they have a boy version.

 

[frtchr]

I'm taking re-usable sticker books for DD2 and DS1. I'm also planning to eat quickly.

 

[happymommy]

I agree about dollar store items - I used to go to our local ones so often! My son has ADHD, so it was a struggle, but for some reason he always has loved restaurants! Even at 3 he's sit through 2 hours of brunch at the Ritz, go figure. It was entertaining to get small amounts of different foods.

Also, he'd like a new matchbox car, but beware, they can and will end up on the floor, and you don't want germs, especially now!

I forget what age we started with Color Wonder. Those are good, cheap (well, not too expensive), and won't really stain.

I wish you luck - I'm sure with your planning it will be great! Plus, you're at Disney - there will be plenty of other parents with toddlers, walking them around and stuff. You won't be alone!

 

[The Hendies]

Play-doh can make a real mess when those little pea size bits fall off the table (or high chair tray) and get into carpet or ground into the floor.

 

[PatT240]

On our very first trip to Disney on our first night there I was having dinner at the Poly with my son who was 2 at the time. He was so excited he was bouncing off the walls. I was so tired and hungry and was sitting thinking what have I done this is only our first night. The waiter must have seen the look on my face and came over and suggested he take my son to meet the chef (which was in view of our table) so that I could finish my meal. He entertained him for about 25 minutes for me. A true moment of Disney Magic

 

[Miss LD]

we're also going to disney in January and DD will be 20 months.
The thing that both she and DS 5 love are travel magnadoodles. I have no idea why, but that's the one toy that I can pull out and it usually entertains them for a couple of minutes.
I have to admit we struggled more with keeping DS still when he was that age than we do with DD, but what we love about Disney is that no one gets totally stressed when kids need to move around.
And, they are always good about bringing food quickly (at least appetizers or bread) or it's a buffet.
Honestly, we were more relaxed as parents because they were, and then the kids responded to that.
Good luck!

 

[tartemis]

I have no helpful advice --except to use Disney's Kids Nite Out service. We took our first DD at that age and it was a disaster -- she just wanted to be everywhere and we couldn't enjoy our meals. We quickly canceled all of the remaining TS meals, except for one night at California Grill and hired a sitter through Kids Nite Out to go as an adults only meal. We had a great time!

DD #1 is going to be 2 1/2 at our next trip and I'm hoping this time she will be able to sit through the meals. I just think that around 18 months is the worst time for toddlers to sit through meals.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Try to limit her "controled" time. If you have to wait to be seated, have one parent walk outside or to an interesting place with her. When you get to be seated, request a booth if possible. Put her between an adult and the wall to avoid using a high chair. If you do need a high chair do not put her in yet. Use an amusment till you order. Try to order everything when you place your drink order. Let one adult go walk while you wait for your food. Return when the food is there. Consider ordering her desert about half way through the meal so you may have time to finish your dinner. Amusment as long as it will last till you are done.

Try to have some toys that are new or only for resturants. Stickers for the kids menu, silly putty, a roll of tape( lated an hour once for us).

Use what you have, count the sugar packs, people watch.

WDW resturants are so fun themed that you may have less of an issue than you expect.

 

[ppan77]

We take our dd18 months out often. She likes a booster seat much better than a highchair.

 

[LilAnn]

Our DD was 22 months when we went to WDW and eating out every day can get tiring! She enjoyed coloring so that helped sometimes. What has worked the best for us is sticker activities. I usually hit up the Target dollar bins and stock up on stickers, sticker books, sticker scenes, etc for our meals. It keeps her happily occupied while letting us adults enjoy the rest of our meal without having to get indigestion from eating too fast! She has also gotten into the color wonder books and I also keep a little 'portable" size with me in my diaper bag. Disney is a great place to eat out since there are so many kids and so many things to keep them occupied. Have fun!

 

[diamondpixienc]

Well besides eating quickly. The portable DVD was a winner for us as well when our 2 older kids now 6&4 were younger & using the high chair. Plan on using it when we visit next fall w/ our newest little DD who will be 11mo when we arrive.

 

[aidtrismommy]

I used to bring the mini figurines that Disney sells at the Disney store and parks. We had a set from the Fairies, Toy Story etc. I would pack them in a freezer bag & she would play with them alot. Also magnetic paper doll type toys, WalMart has a line of these types of toys. They come in a metal tin that is the size of a story book. They had a circus theme, trucks, weather kids, and a zoo. Disney also sells a princess one, not sure if they have a boy version.

We also do the figurine thing. It helps if the child knows who the characters are so buy the ones from movies your child is familiar with. My son is into anything that rolls. Tractors, trucks, busses, etc. Bring one he hasn't seen before so it will entertain him for longer. We got a pack of disney busses on our Disney crusie and it came with three small disney busses , all different. You could buy that and give him one at a time at different restaurants. Coloring does not work for my son (he is 22 months) . Books work for a short time. Just try different things and "new" things. I am against the twirly light up toys for dinner because they may be a nuisance to other people. I realize a crabby screaming child is probably worse, so only use those as a last resort. You could also try booking rainforest cafe or something like that where you can walk him around and check out the store after you order. I realize it won't work for all places, but they have one at AK as well as Downtown Disney. Just some ideas.

 

[imortalcandy]

my 22m DS is awful in public, when we go out to eat we always wait for a booth and let him walk around the seat

 

[dmank]

Thanks for all the ideas everyone.

We went out to Red Robin last night and the little guy spent 30 min playing with the balloons we tied to his chair. The rest of the time he ate and he was just great - first time since the pumpkin seat days that I've been able to sit through a whole meal out with him... perhaps there is hope after all?

I'm definitely going to bring the pipe cleaners and dried macaroni with the cups, and probably the wiki stiks (am remembering one plan trip when DD was that age and she spent the entire 2 hour ride playing with the ice cube pieces - putting them in the little indent for the cup on the seat tray. I was devastated that the return trip seat trays didn't have the little indent! The drink cup just wasn't the same.

If it's really light and I can throw it away if it doesn't work, that's best for me!! I like to pack light, which gets me in trouble sometimes when I don't have 'half the house' with me for the kids to play with when we're out and bored.. oh well.