Make a reservation

It seems obvious but an unplanned wait to get into the restaurant can be make or break for a young family. Once you get in, there’s lots of things to distract the kids with. Sometimes there’s a TV, you can play eye-spy or unpack some colouring. Until you’re in, you have to deal with an impatient child in the purgatory of the waiting area.

Have something for them to do

Did you bring their favourite toys? Did you download a show for them to watch on your phone? We do this really sparingly, but I think a few minutes of Daniel Tiger or Peppa Pig is better than a full scale meltdown before your food has arrived.

Boston Pizza came over with activity books and crayons for the kids as we sat down!

Check the menu ahead of time.

Is there something your kid(s) will eat? Are they going to hate everything on the menu? Does the restaurant have kid-friendly and healthy options? I’m sure many kids are happy to eat fries underneath a mountain of ketchup, but it’s our job to provide something that will give them a little more sustenance. Can you feel good about what you’re providing for them?

Our daughter is a picky eater and I’m sure we’re not alone. We often bring her food in little plastic tubs.

Do they have highchairs?

Our little one is still in need of a highchair and it’s too much hassle to bring our own. Most family restaurants have them, but if you’re booking a reservation, it’s a good idea to check just in case.

Each child got a tall glass of milk, complete with a plastic lid and a straw while the food was being cooked.

Support a good cause while you’re eating (and get a great deal!)

This one doesn’t happen in most restaurants, but in Boston Pizza until October 1st, you can buy a Boston Pizza Kid’s Card for $5, which gets you 5 FREE meals (plus one more if you register the card). That’s $35 in exchange for $5. The even better part of this is that your $5 buys an hour with a role model for a child who needs it, somewhere in Canada thanks to the Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects.

The Kids Card is only available until October 1st, so you’d better hurry. Head to your local Boston Pizza or get yours online RIGHT HERE.

Disclaimer: This post is supported by the excellent Boston Pizza, where we made a reservation and got a table on a busy Friday evening. Terrin, our awesome server at the Broadway, Vancouver restaurant,  brought our daughter and two nieces a full activity book with crayons to keep them amused. I was amazed that our toddler was amused by this and didn’t even try to eat her new colouring kit. Thanks Boston Pizza, we’ll see you soon.

I tried to get a good photo of her holding the Boston Pizza Kids Card, but she’s too fast!