Taking your children out for a meal can do more than satisfy everyone’s hunger. Lunch at a café or dinner at a seafood restaurant can help kids practice social behavior and gain self-confidence. Trying these tips can make your next dining-out experience enjoyable for everyone.

3 Tips for Dining With Your Children

1. Choose a Friendly Environment

Your kids may feel more comfortable and experience greater enjoyment when you select a family-friendly restaurant. Dining establishments that welcome children, including family seafood restaurants, often feature casual decor and separate kids' menus.

When trying a restaurant that’s new to you, call ahead and ask about kid-friendly foods as well as amenities, such as crayons and coloring pages. If they don’t provide any, consider bringing your own.     

2. Eat Early

To avoid the lunch or dinner crowds that may lead to longer wait times for food, head over early. Doing so reduces the chance that your kids will be hungry, tired, and cranky when you arrive at the restaurant.

When children are rested and alert, their experience is more pleasant. Your little ones are less likely to become upset and attract the attention of other guests.

3. Practice Good Manners

Teach your children good table manners and practice them at home so they know what to do when eating out. Washing hands before and after the meal, using utensils and napkins properly, and saying thank you to the waitstaff go a long way to create a positive dining experience.

Whether your servers bring wings or seafood to the table, they appreciate polite and well-behaved children. Fewer distractions enable them to provide better service.

Bring the family to LoLo’s Seafood Shack in New York City to enjoy their brunch and lunch menus seven days a week. This local seafood restaurant has been serving delicious fare since 2014. Whether you choose grits with shrimp or a plate of wings, there are plenty of options certain to please the whole family’s taste buds. Call (646) 649-3356 to reserve cabana seating or place a to-go order, or use Yelp or their app on Chow. Visit them online to view their menu.