What’s In Our Restaurant Bag: How We Keep Our Toddlers Entertained Without Screens
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Going out to eat with toddlers can feel… ambitious. Between waiting for food, wiggly bodies, and unpredictable moods, it’s no wonder many parents default to a tablet or phone just to make it through the meal.
And listen — no shade to that. Screens can be a helpful tool, and we do use them occasionally at home. But for our family, we’ve drawn a boundary: no iPads, no phones, and no screens when we’re out and about. Not at restaurants, not in shopping carts, not at the table.
If you're hoping to reduce screen time in public or just want to try something different, this post is for you.
We’ve found that packing a little “restaurant bag” makes a huge difference in our ability to enjoy meals out, and it helps our kids learn how to be part of the world around them. Because that’s the real goal, right? Not just to keep them quiet, but to help them engage. To learn patience, participate in conversation, and feel included, not just entertained.
Here’s what we pack, plus a few tips that have helped keep our little ones happy and engaged at the table - no screens required.
Don’t feel like reading the whole post? Shop our restaurant bag and everything in it
What’s In Our Restaurant Bag
Sensory Robot Fidgets
Quiet, bendy, and endlessly satisfying to twist. Great for busy hands while waiting for food.Stickers (Dollar Tree score!)
We keep a stash of random sticker sheets — fun, cheap, and easy to pair with a napkin or sketch pad.Reusable Writing Tablet
A mess-free go-to for scribbling, drawing, or playing “menu” without burning through paper.Magnetic Dress-Up Dolls
Compact and screen-free pretend play. Bonus points for building fine motor skills too.Mini Sketch Pad + Crayola Twistables + Crayons
Perfect for doodling or coloring on the go.Magmen
Tiny magnetic stickmen that stack, link, and contort into wild poses. Weirdly addicting.Sensory Activity Board
Think buckles, zippers, and snaps — all on one soft board. Keeps little fingers busy without needing a table.Wikki Stix
Bendable wax sticks for endless shape-making. Stick to placemats but peel right off. No mess, lots of creativity.Travel Magna-Tiles
Just a few go a long way. We bring a small set for open-ended building right on the table.
Bonus Items:
These aren’t always in the restaurant bag, but they’ve earned a spot in our rotation. Whether they’ve been past favorites or just better suited for certain ages/phases, we like having a few extra options when we need to mix things up.
StickiKubes
These live in our diaper bag full-time as a backup. Great for on-the-go building when plans run long.
Sticker Books
We love these Sticker Dolly sticker books! They’re fun, portable, and perfect for keeping little hands busy at the table. The stickers are intricate and beautiful but probably better suited for older toddlers or preschoolers who are past the ripping-and-crumpling stage. Another great option are these reusable puffy sticker books! These have been a favorite for years.
Mini Play-Doh Containers
These are a hit - especially at restaurants where you don’t have to worry about it sticking to the table or chairs. Easy to pick up at the Dollar Tree!
Quiet Books
We rotate a couple of favorites to keep things fresh. Lift-the-flap or interactive books work great when your toddler wants to snuggle up and read while waiting.
Water Wows
Reusable “paint” books that only need water. No mess, totally magic for toddlers, and the brush keeps them focused longer than you'd expect.
Pocket Watercolor Painting Kit
Compact and mess-free, this kit lets kids explore color and creativity right at the table. Easy to use and quick to dry, it’s a perfect screen-free activity that feels special without the hassle.
Tips for Screen-Free Restaurant Success
1. Practice at home.
Before expecting a long restaurant sit, try “restaurant play” at home. Set the table, serve pretend food, and model waiting, chatting, and cleaning up. It helps build the concept in a low-stakes way.
2. Talk to your kids like people.
It sounds obvious, but toddlers love being part of the conversation. Ask what they see, talk about the menu, describe what you're eating. It helps them feel included and engaged.
3. Order quickly (when possible).
Hungry toddlers aren’t exactly known for their patience. We try to check the menu ahead of time or order for the kids as soon as we’re seated.
4. Set expectations.
Before going in, give a little pep talk: "We’re going to a restaurant. We’ll sit and talk while we wait for food. We brought your special toys to help you stay busy."
5. Keep meals short and sweet.
We aim for casual spots and shorter outings, gradually stretching their endurance over time. It gets easier with practice.
6. Embrace the chaos.
Even with the perfect toy bag, toddlers will still be toddlers. If the meal turns into a lap shuffle or includes a mid-dinner potty run - that’s okay. You’re doing it. You’re showing up, living life, and teaching your kids how to do the same.
7. Mindset matters.
Eating out with toddlers isn’t going to feel like it did pre-kids, and that’s okay. It probably won’t be super peaceful. It may not be romantic. But it can still be fun, and it will get better with practice. When we stop expecting restaurant meals to be perfect and start treating them like a skill-building experience, the whole thing gets easier and way less stressful.
Why This Matters
This isn’t about doing it perfectly, or never using screens. It’s about the long game: helping our kids learn how to be present in the world. To sit at a table, talk with others, and enjoy real-life experiences, even when they’re not instantly entertaining.
Just to be clear: we’re not a screen-free family. I absolutely use screens when I need to, and there are plenty of days when a show or movie saves the afternoon. But we are an iPad-free family, and we plan to keep it that way. For us, it’s not about all-or-nothing. It’s about being thoughtful with tech, especially in public spaces.
This little restaurant bag is one of the ways we make that easier. And honestly, it’s made meals out more enjoyable for everyone - not just our kids.
Our goal isn’t perfection. It’s connection.
And if that’s your goal too, you’re already doing great.