Apr 27, 2010

Keeping kids busy at a restaurant or on the road?


I recall so many times in the past few years that I have taken my kids or one of my daughter's out to dinner and ended up with boredom on my hands.  Sure, those lovely coloring sheets and two crayons keep them busy for a few minutes, but after that novelty wears off, you may have flying napkins, chicken, fries or other intimate objects that seem to be catapulted from their small hands or from a spoon!  This was a common occurrence when we went out to dinner, that I stopped taking my kids to dinner.  

That was until I got my iPhone.  When I realized the great variety of things I could do with the phone, including things that could keep my kids busy, I was ecstatic.  I loved the idea that it could definitely keep them busy at a restaurant.  I did a trial, taking them to a local restaurant and when the coloring books and other means of side tracking failed, I decided to pull out my iPhone.  That thing is a lifesaver.  
My 4 year old could sit at the table with her earphones and listen to her favorite songs (Hannah Montana, Jonas Brothers, Imagination Movers, etc...) if her sister is pre occupied, or they could watch videos on YouTube or iTunes!!  We have downloaded many different episodes of their favorite cartoons on my iPhone and that usually works perfectly!  

If all else fails, we also have many different children's games.  Some are free and some are very cheap ($0.99-1.99) and we love the games.  They keep my kids very occupied.  Some of our favorite games are:
  • Bejeweled 2
  • Skee-Ball (Most Popular)
  • Checkers
  • 300 Bowl
  • Wack A Groundhog
  • Bubbles (Most Popular)
  • Make Me A Princess (Most Popular)
  • Bug Squash
  • Fairies (By Disney)
  • Slingshot
  • Shapes (Most Popular)
  • Dora Saves Crystal Kingdom
  • Ice Tycoon
  • First Words
  • iChihuahua
  • Puzzle Time
Those are the games that we play an awful lot and love them!  They keep my kids very occupied and definitely gives the adullts time to eat and have our own conversations. :)  The great thing is, my kids learned to share the iPhone and take turns playing.  I believe that has been a huge part of their learning to share as well. 

We're taking a trip this summer which will consist of 5 hours in the car with my kids.  I'm hoping to get an iPad to use mostly for myself for my business as well as my kids for their amusement in the car!  Since I can't afford one myself, I am hoping to win one.  Please pray for me! :D

DISCLAIMER: I’m participating in a contest at Best Kids Apps, a blog about iPhone apps for kids, for a chance to win an iPad.

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