Catering to Kids: Family-Friendly Ideas

While the trend of implementing “no kids” policies at high-end restaurants may be making headlines across the country, catering to kids and creating family-friendly dining environments can be a smart way to grow your business and build brand loyalty.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported that the average American family forked over $3,370 on meals away from home in 2011. Add to this the fact that, according to the National Restaurant Association, parties with kids accounted for $84 billion and 15 billion visits last year, it’s easy to see why having a reputation for being “family-friendly” can be key to your success.

Contrary to what people may think, parents really DO enjoy dining out with their children. According to a 2013 survey conducted by Restaurant.com, nearly 6 out of 10 parents dine out with their children at least once a week. 

Their reasons for dining out include:

• 70% say that going out to eat with their kids is a great way to spend time with the family
• 66% reported that they like not having to cook
• 65% appreciate the fact that everyone can order what they want
• 65% liked not having to do dishes

So what are the key ingredients for a successful family-friendly restaurant?

Delicious food, great service and fun activities that make the dining experience a pleasure — for children, as well as their parents.

Consider the 5 following tips:

1. Keep Kids Entertained

Activity placemats that feature puzzles such as word finds, crosswords, and connect-the-dots, as well as games such as tic-tac-toe can be a smart way to keep little ones busy — as well as provide activities they can do with their parents. From mermaids and treasure chests to zoo animals and sports, Superior Menus offers a variety of activity placements, each with their own special theme.

2. Keep Things Colorful

Fifty-three percent of the parents surveyed by Restaurant.com reported that coloring was the key way they entertained their children while dining.

A must-have for any restaurant that caters to kids, crayons and coloring sheets are a popular way to keep children occupied and provide them the opportunity to tap into their creative side.

3. Make It Healthy

According to the National Restaurant Association, “healthy kids’ meals” was the No. 3 restaurant trend in 2013. If you haven’t signed up already, their Kids LiveWell initiative is worth checking out. Designed to help restaurants and food providers offer menu items that meet specific nutritional guidelines, it makes it easy for families to eat out and eat healthy. It’s almost as easy as it is to customize and order our unique selection of kids menus. The hardest part is choosing which theme!

4. Serve It in Kid-Proof Containers

When it comes to kid-friendly dinnerware, kid-proof containers such as our plastic tumblers are a sure bet. Not only are they colorful and fun, they come with a plastic lid and make a great “souvenir” that kids can take home with them and reuse.

5. Make Them an Offer They Can’t Refuse

Nearly all respondents (96 percent) of the Restaurant.com survey reported that they have used a coupon or a deal when dining out with their children. Thirty percent reported they do so more often than not. Whether it’s a “Kids Eat Free Day” or “Free Dessert,” discounts and coupons are a great way to keep them coming back for more.

Interested in learning more about how Superior Menus can help you cater to kids? Visit the Kids Products section on our website. And if you’d like to share your own strategy for keeping young patrons engaged and entertained, we’d love to hear about it. Please post your story below.