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Growing Up Healthy At Every Stage

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Tools & Activities

Restaurant Waiting Games

User Ratings: ****No Star

What To Do

Folding Fun
  • Keep a small packet of origami paper (available in craft stores) in your handbag; it's packaged with instructions that older kids can follow on their own, and adults can entertain younger ones by making the simple folded sculptures for them.
Mind My Manners
  • Choose five or so rules for the game, for example:
    • Use quiet voices
    • Keep your elbows off the table
    • No interrupting
    • Put your napkin in your lap
    • Take small bites, no gulping
    • Taste everything and so on, depending on the ages of your children
  • Divide into teams (split kids and adults).
  • Whichever team has the fewest infractions by the end of the meal wins all the after-dinner mints or picks the next restaurant or movie rental.
Talk It Up
  • Isn't that what mealtime is all about? Pick topics to talk about at the table, for example:
    • "Ask me any question about my childhood."
    • "What was the strangest thing you saw today?"
    • "If you could change one thing in your school, what would it be?"
  • Encourage all the family members to have their say.
  • If older kids have had enough family time for the day, opt for two tables (one for each generation) and an evening of peaceful, adult conversation.

Share Your Thoughts

Posted on: 1/8/2010 6:54 AM

Posted by: julia\joy p

City: poughkeepsie

we love your drink we can,t wait to try the games we are drinking the apple drink right know

Rated: *****

Posted on: 6/7/2009 12:23 PM

Posted by: Jean S

City: Taylor

These are great suggestions. Ill definitely be trying them. Dinner out is usually painful!

Rated: *****

Posted on: 6/2/2009 5:08 AM

Posted by: jenn d

City: capon bridge

Going out is usually like a circus for us having a 14,8,and 3 year old.I tried the origami and your table conversations and for once I had an outing with humans not animals Thank you so much!!!!!!!

Rated: *****

Posted on: 5/31/2009 12:38 PM

Posted by: richard d

City: culver city

i love you

Rated: *****

Posted on: 5/6/2009 10:14 AM

Posted by: emily d

City: pittsburgh

my child likes all the kid games on here and it makes her proud

Rated: *****

Posted on: 4/4/2009 8:22 AM

Posted by: joann y

City: Parishville

I like to tips, I might use them, but with a 7, 5, and a 2 year old.. we normally do I spy and that seems to work really well. For the little one I bring a small magna doodle or simple beads to string.. that works well. good luck it fun to have family time.

Rated: *****

Posted on: 2/23/2009 7:26 PM

Posted by: Shay C

City: Clearfield, PA

The origami kit is a great idea, and definately something Ill keep in mind to find.

Rated: *****

Posted on: 5/3/2008 5:01 AM

Posted by: Rachel G

City: Palm Bay

I think that stuff is great!!! Five star

Rated: ****No Star

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