How to Make a Restaurant Busy Bag for Preschoolers
This post is sponsored by Zollipops. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.
If you have small children then you know dining out isn’t exactly the same experience as it was back in the pre-baby days. It’s often times chaotic, frustrating, and just plain loud. But, there are ways to make it easier for both kids and parents. It’s all about preparation and keeping them BUSY!
Today I’m going to show you how to put together a simple busy bag for your toddler and/or preschooler. No crafting or lengthy prep work needed!
First, grab a small bag to put everything in. Personally, I like to use a large pencil pouch. These are roomy enough to hold everything you need, yet small enough to toss into your diaper bag or purse without taking up a ton of space. If you have more than one child, you might want to create a separate bag for each of them…because, fighting!
Second, fill your bag with your child’s favorite “busy activities” – some things I keep in my busy bag (as pictured above):
Healthy Snacks My kids can never get enough snacks. It doesn’t matter if they ate 5 minutes ago, they are going to ask for snacks the minute there is any downtime. So, I like to bring a few healthy snack options for them while we wait for our food. My go-to snack is usually a fruit or apple sauce pouch.
Grab & Go Play Packs We love these because they are just so easy to toss into your bag. They feature my kids’ favorite characters and include a small coloring/activity book, stickers & crayons.
Washable Markers/Colored Pencils I typically bring extra things for the kids to color with like (washable) markers and/or colored pencils. My kids don’t seem to be as excited about boring ole’ crayons anymore, so I save these for when we go out.
Card Games If you have an older preschooler who won’t throw cards allllll over the floor of the restaurant, consider throwing in a simple pack of Go Fish cards. My 4 year old is just starting to get into card games now, but they are a great way to kill a few extra minutes.
Hand & Face Wipes If you have a toddler, then you don’t need any explanation on these. Kids are messy, and napkins just don’t cut it sometimes.
Disposable Placemats I never leave home without these! One, I am a self-professed germaphobe (no shame here) and two, they make eating out fun for toddlers. I typically only use these for my 2 year old now – mainly because of her food allergies; however, they do still provide her with entertainment and she enjoys eating her food on her “special placemat”.
Small Toys This typically means matchbox cars in our house. My 4 year old, Noah, has been carrying around his cars everywhere we go since he was 18 months old. To this day, he almost never leaves the house without them.
Velcro Sticks Okay, so I lied. This one requires just a few minutes of prep work, unless you already have these lying around the house. All you need are some colorful popsicle sticks and little velcro dot stickers – kids can use these to make shapes and letters. A perfect quiet time activity for a restaurant!
Zollipops I saved the best for last! These aren’t your average lollipops, they’re Zollipops! Zollipops are supercharged with Xylitol, Erythritol, Stevia, and are actually good for your little one’s teeth! They work to naturally reduce the acidity and balance the pH in our mouths. By reducing acidity, you help fight off cavities! I love to save these little treats for my kids after they’ve finished their meal while we wait for our check. They are super excited to get a special treat, and I feel good about giving them something that is actually good for their teeth. Not to mention, we can skip the dessert menu and the begging for ice cream!
One of my favorite things about Zollipops (and their entire candy line) is that they are sugar-free! They are also dairy-free, making them safe for my little London to eat! And they are free from artificial dyes and colors! Pretty awesome, right?!
Something even more awesome about Zollipops – there is an 11 year old girl who is responsible for the creation of these healthy smile treats! Kid-entrepreneur, Alina Morse, is the brains behind this sweet operation. To learn more about Alina and Zollipops, click here.
And hop on over to our Instagram on Monday for your chance to WIN this awesome prize pack full of goodies – Zollipops, Zolli Drops, & Zaffi Taffy! Giveaway will begin Monday, June 26th and winner will be announced Wednesday, June 28th!
Have you tried Zollipops? How do you entertain your kids while eating out?
xo,
Sumer
34 Comments
Emily @ Pizza & Pull-ups
That’s a great idea, I have not tried Zollipops but have seen them at the store. Will have to check them out.
Sumer
Definitely give them a try! My kids are obsessed!
Juliette | Namastay Traveling
This is such a good idea! I don’t have kids but this is a perfect gift idea for my friends that do!
Sumer
Thanks, Juliette!
Natalie
I pack a lot of the same things for my preschooler ! But I’ve never heard of these lollipops before . Love the idea of a “healthy” treat for my son . 🙂
Sumer
Me too! No mama guilt, which is a win, win for everyone!
Rose
I love this idea so much! You have everything you need, ready to go, minimizing the risk of disasters while away from the house. And kids have screen-free activities, which is so important. It drives me crazy to see so many kids out and about on parents’ phones and tablets.
Sumer
Thanks, Rose! However, I’m no saint – my kids do still sometimes get the iPad during our dinners out. Sometimes it’s just inevitable!
Meredith ~ The Papery Craftery
A big yes to the extra snacks! They can definitely kill some time. We’ve also used those Play Packs, but dollar store stickers will do in a pinch!
Sumer
The Dollar Tree is a great place to buy kid activities!
Corey | The Nostalgia Diaries
Awesome ideas and tips 🙂 I always had a bag of things like this when my daughter and I would go out when she was little. And I always made sure to order her food first so she could start eating sooner 🙂
Sumer
Yes! Ordering their food first is a brilliant idea!
Amanda
Such wonderful ideas to keep the littles busy and happy! I have never heard of Zollipops, but I will be checking them out!
Kelsey Mazzone
I need to get these lolipops for my kids who have super sensitive teeth!
Allison
I’ve got to get on making some Busy Bags! Thanks for the ideas, Sumer! And these lollipops! Omg! Healthy candy that helps teeth and cleanliness!? My preschooler will love them (and me, too)! Xo
Sumer
Yes, they’re so great!! We love them here! My hubby has been eating them, too 😉
Holly
I am making an airplane busy bag for my daughter and am definitely stealing some of your ideas. I had never thought to bring a placemat- brilliant 🙂
Sumer
Steal away! 😉 And the placemats are SO awesome!
Melissa
This is a great idea and so simple to put together! This would make days out with my toddler a lot easier.
Sumer
Thanks, Melissa! These busy bags are a life saver!
Keri
I need to do this next time! I think even for the road trips it would be a good thing to have!
Sumer
Totally agree, Keri! Perfect for road trips or flying!
Amanda
Love this busy bag idea! My middle one loves lollies, so these lollipops would be perfect for her, especially being healthier than everything else out there! Thank you for sharing, I’ve never heard of this brand!
Sumer
Yes! The lollipops are seriously our fave! Genius idea!
Danielle @ A Sprinkle of Joy
Such a great idea!! I totally need to make some busy bags. Also, the creator of Zollipops is from my home state!!I love seeing all the success she is having.
Sumer
Her success is SO amazing!
Bridget | This Mom Life
Awesome ideas, I need to get a few busy bags put together. We like to bring Brainquest for Preschoolers out with us. If we find we don’t have any items for entertainment, we play “I Spy” or ad lib a funny story.
sumer.schmitt@gmail.com
Thanks, Bridget! I love the “I Spy” game! Such a great idea! I need to play that game with my 4 year old more!
Lauren White
We love the grab and go kits! My mom always buys them for our older toddler and she can’t get enough of them!
Sumer
They’re so great!
Rachel
This is such a good idea! I am doing this next time we go out. My kids are usually pretty good at restaurants but this will really help.
Sumer
Thanks, Rachel! Hope it helps! 🙂
Chelsea
London can totally play I Spy, too! Weston loves it! ❤️❤️
Brittany
This is genius and I love everything you put in this Bag!!!! Those pops look yummy!