Several years ago I heard someone describe the concept of value based budgeting as a way to make financial decisions based on their family’s priorities. Their example was that they didn’t mind cutting in other areas so they could include music lessons for their kids in their monthly budget because they valued music education. This coincided with our own philosophy about budgeting and I liked having a name for it.
This helped me to stop feeling as guilty when we “wasted” money at restaurants. I realized that for our family, eating at restaurants was a time that we were able to connect and enjoy quality time together, which is a priority for us. At restaurants, I am able to sit and enjoy conversation more easily than when we are at home.
It is important to me that when we go out to eat we use the time for connection so I always try to have non-screen ways for us to interact with each other. When my oldest was a toddler, I created a “restaurant bag” with activities to help us keep her entertained at the table. We have continued this as the kids have gotten older, switching out the activities as they grow. We still have a bag we keep in the car that includes a variety of games that we all enjoy and can be played at a restaurant.
I also have a running list of games I rely on that don’t require any supplies. These can be used when people are getting bored and impatient waiting for food. I also use these when we are waiting for a table, riding in the car or in line somewhere. It can be a quick 5 minute game or you stretch it out to last longer. We are usually pretty laid back about the rules for scoring points, but depending on how competitive your family is, you may need to set up clear rules for keeping score!
Some of these games can include kids as young as pre-school while others are best for upper elementary and older.
Alphabet Game
- Choose any topic and go through the alphabet naming something that starts with each letter. You can take turns going around the table or work together collaboratively to create the list.
- Tip: keep the topics broad
- Examples: food, animals, movies, sports & games, household objects
Categories
- Choose any category and take turns naming something in that category. If you can’t think of something or you repeat an answer, you are out.
- Tip: make the topics more specific
- Examples: fruits, vegetables, breakfast foods, desserts, types of birds, princesses, superheroes, types of transportation, colors, shapes, cereal, candy, dinosaurs, states, presidents, sea animals, types of dogs, school subjects, holidays, flowers
Name Them!
- Choose any category. Player 1 states how many things they can name within that category. For older kids, add in a time constraint such as how many you can name in 1 minute.
- The next person can choose a higher number that they can name or challenge the previous person. If they can complete the challenge, they get a point. If they fail, the challenger gets a point.
- Sample Game: Types of Cereal
- Player 1: “I can name 5 types of cereal”
- Player 2: “I can name 8 types of cereal”
- Player 3: “Name them!” – Player 2 must name 8 types of cereal to get a point. If not, Player 3 gets a point
- Examples: fruits, vegetables, breakfast foods, desserts, types of birds, princesses, superheroes, types of transportation, colors, shapes, cereal, candy bars, dinosaurs, states, presidents, sea animals, types of dogs, school subjects, holidays, flowers
Password
- We have watched a few episodes of this game on tv and my kids love to play it at the dinner table. We keep the scoring system simple where you just get 1 point if you guess correctly, regardless of how many clues it took.
- All you need is your phone to use as a random word generator. We use either randomwordgenerator.com or thegamegal.com
- Team up in pairs. Use the phone to generate a random, secret word. One person from each team looks at the secret word. Team 1 gives a one word clue and their partner gets one attempt to guess the secret word.
- If they get it wrong, the Team 2 now gets a chance to give another one word clue and their partner gets one guess.
- Repeat until someone guesses the word correctly. The teams should take turns giving out the first clue.
Evens & Odds
- This is a two player game. One player is named “Even Player” and the other “Odd Player”. On the count of three, both players display 1 – 5 fingers. Add both numbers together and if it is an even number, Even Player earns a point. If it is an odd number, Odd Player earns a point.
- First player to earn 5 points wins.
Mind Meld
- This is a collaborative partner game. Both players individually think of any random word. On the count of three, both players say their words at the same time. Then, both players try to think of a new word that relates to both words. On the count of three, they both say their new word. Repeat until both players say the same word at the same time.
Guess the Waiter/Waitress
- This game only works at a restaurant with a server that seems in the right mood!
- Think of a simple question, like the server’s name, favorite food, favorite color, etc. Discuss at the table what you think the server’s answer will be and everyone gets 3 guesses. The next time the server returns you can ask them the question and if anyone was correct, they win.
Trivia
- All you need is your phone for a simple google search. My husband and girls enjoy when I quiz them on random trivia or their favorite movies. Sometimes they work together and sometimes they compete and take turns answering. You can google any topic and add “trivia for kids” and usually find a ton of good results.
- Some of our favorite searches
- Home Alone Trivia
- Harry Potter Trivia
- Disney Movie Trivia
- Animal Trivia for Kids
- General Knowledge Trivia for Kids