Every parent knows that taking a toddler out to eat can be a lot. Between keeping them entertained, making sure they actually eat something, and trying to enjoy your own meal, it’s a whole adventure. Over time, I’ve found a few must-have items that make dining out so much easier. Here are my go-to essentials!
1. Disposable Placemats
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These are a game changer. They stick right to the table, so your kiddo can’t grab and toss them (which, let’s be honest, they would). Plus, they come in fun patterns to keep little hands busy, and cleanup is a breeze—just peel it up, fold it over, and toss it. No scrubbing mystery sauces off the table!
2. Food Scissors
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If you’re still using a fork and knife to cut up your toddler’s food, let me put you on to food scissors. These make it so much quicker and easier to get bite-sized pieces ready. Just give them a quick wipe with a sanitizing wipe when you’re done, and they’re good to go right back in the diaper bag.
3. Straw Cups
We started with the Dr. Brown’s straw cups, and they’re still a favorite! They’re easy for little ones to use, though you do have to make sure the straw is put together properly, or they can be a little tricky.
More recently, I got my son his own mini Stanley-style cups because he was constantly trying to steal mine. These come in adorable colors, are pretty leak-proof, and are super easy to clean and assemble.
4. Bright Starts Pop ‘n Sit Booster
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This little booster seat is so handy. It folds up compactly, comes with a travel bag, fits on almost any chair or in a booth, and straps down securely. We’ve been to restaurants that either don’t have high chairs or run out quickly, so having this in the car brings some peace of mind.
5. Toddler Utensils
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My son insists on using adult utensils, but sometimes they’re just too big for him to handle. Having his own toddler-sized set makes eating easier, and let’s be real—it helps avoid meltdowns.
6. Poncho Bibs
My toddler refuses to wear a bib these days, but these poncho-style ones are a sneaky workaround. They fit more like a shirt, so sometimes we can trick him into keeping it on! They cover almost their whole outfit, making them perfect for nice dinners when you really don’t want a spaghetti-covered kid. Plus, they wipe clean easily, and for bigger messes, just toss them in a wet bag until you get home.
7. Wipes (Because, Obviously)
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Every parent already carries wipes, they come in handy for almost everything—hands, faces, tables, you name it! Our go to is the Water Wipes brand, they are unscented, hypoallergenic and only consist of two ingredients 99.9% water and 0.1% grapefruit seed extract— unlike other brands of wipes with a never ending list of nasty ingredients that you wouldn’t want to use on your little ones sensitive skin.
8. Sanitizing Wipes
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I love these Dapple Baby sanitizing wipes for cleaning everything but baby, utensils, pacifiers, breast pumps—anything that might hit the floor (which, let’s be honest, happens a lot). They’re plant-based, free of harsh chemicals, and don’t leave behind any weird residue.
Bringing just a few of these essentials can make restaurant outings with a toddler way more manageable. Do you have any go-to must-haves? Let me know in the comments!
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