The solutions for keeping a child entertained at a restaurant come down to going back to basics. Using stories, games, colouring books or involving them in adult dynamics tend to be the best solutions.
In this new article from Balance Phone, we'll dive deeper into this and give you some guidelines so that the little ones are always entertained when you eat out.
Ideas to Keep Your Kids Entertained When You Go Out to Eat
Using screens as an easy way out to keep children calm in social situations is a big mistake. There are numerous scientific articles and news reports warning about the long-term consequences of this.
For example, an article in La Vanguardia warned about the rebound effect of this strategy, since this momentary numbing is leaving children in limbo when it comes to learning how to behave in public and manage patience and frustration.
There are many alternatives that are not only healthy, but also contribute to cognitive and social development. Keep reading and we'll tell you the most interesting ones.
Games We Recommend
While it is possible to set up group games that involve everyone at the table, the ideal is to look for options that give adults some breathing room. Centering all attention on the child will reinforce the power they exert over their parents.
That's why it's important for them to be autonomous in this regard, and there are two approaches: challenges (puzzles, brain teasers…) or imagination (mini figures, soft toys…). The less intervention from adults, the better.
Interactive Books
Along these lines, and depending on age, interactive books come into play. Many of them have been around for generations, such as Where's Wally? or The Xunguis, tactile storybooks, or even choose-your-own-adventure stories.
The formula is the same. By having to focus on the activity, attention is absorbed just as it is with screens — with the difference that, in this case, it also contributes to neurodevelopment.
Colouring Books
This is a classic that never fails. Few things keep children and adults entertained more than filling a drawing with colour. If you've already experienced the effect of colouring mandalas yourself, the same effect of concentration and calm occurs in the minds of little ones.
With so many options on the market, it's very easy to find themes your children will enjoy and that allow the activity to spark their imagination. Look for books that are easy to carry and don't take up too much space on the restaurant table.
Involving Them in Adult Dynamics
There is a big difference between centring the social gathering around the child's demands and isolating them from everyone else. A great way to keep them entertained is to make them part of the conversation.
If we address them, ask them questions, and even ask for their opinion, it can be something very enjoyable for everyone involved, because their reactions tend to be wonderful — and a mirror in which adults can see themselves.
The art of letting them get bored
We often feel the pressure to provide constant stimuli so they stay quiet. However, they don't need to be entertained all the time.
Letting them experience boredom is actually a gift for their development.
Boredom fosters creativity, helps them be fully aware of their surroundings, and allows them to learn to be alone with their thoughts.
Allowing them to simply observe the restaurant or listen to conversations is a fantastic tool to naturally cultivate patience.
Breaking the Habit
Finally, we leave you with what is perhaps the greatest challenge. Setting aside the old solution of putting on a show on the phone and switching our children off is not easy. And it's not easy because it requires us to be disciplined and firm in our decision.
We won't lie to you — at first it will be difficult, because digital content is designed to release dopamine in abundance. A simple trick that can help at home is to switch the phone to greyscale, which considerably reduces its visual appeal.
However, within a few weeks, not only will this be a thing of the past, but the benefits will be more than noticeable.
That said, none of this is useful if the parents themselves are constantly checking WhatsApp messages or the latest news on Instagram. The best way to educate is to lead by example, in order to create healthy digital habits in children. And if you also find it hard to set limits on devices, perhaps you should take a look at our products.
The smartphones for children from Balance Phone are designed to be functional without falling into digital addiction. You'll have everything you need to stay connected to that world, without depending on it.
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