Need a Kid-Friendly Restaurant? Make Sure It Checks These 5 Boxes

A big and spacious restaurant is essential when you're with young children. Tight quarters can create a stroller traffic jam, not to mention, a bustling dining room with waiters running through compact rows of tables can be hazardous for kids. To get ahead of this, view photos online to double-check if there's enough room for stroller storage, scooters, and even an accessibility ramp to make it easy for your entire family to maneuver through the restaurant. As for high chairs, booster seats, and changing tables, call ahead to ask if the establishment has these accommodations on hand.

There's enough to worry about when dining out with your kids, and restaurant cleanliness shouldn't be one of them. Luckily, the Ecolab Science Certified program addresses expectations parents may have about public health and food safety at restaurants. A team of more than 1,200 scientists, engineers, and technical specialists developed the Ecolab program to help restaurants and grocery stores advance cleaner, safer practices to achieve a higher level of cleanliness. Businesses that commit to these rigorous standards and periodic audits earn the Ecolab Science Certified seal, giving you confidence in your choice. So when you see the the seal on the window of the restaurant, you can rest easy knowing the place that your family is dining at has paid more attention to their clean, so you don't have to.

Every parent knows that kids can get antsy when sitting in one place for too long. To avoid an outburst or worse, a temper tantrum, choose a restaurant that has a fun atmosphere. This can mean picking an establishment that offers crayons and activity placemats. Some places, like breweries and barbeque spots, even provide board games and activities so parents and kids can play together.

Before making a reservation, browse the restaurant's website to see if there are plenty of dishes that your kids can enjoy. Look for healthy options or an accessible menu that can cater to any allergies that your kids may have. Of course, if there's a separate kids' menu that's ideal, but if chicken fingers and buttered noodles are off the table, look for crowd-pleasing options for those with discerning palates. Think of simple dishes like a cheeseburger without the house special sauce or even udon noodles with veggies. Above all, a healthy, kid-friendly menu starts with food prepared in a clean kitchen. At an Ecolab Science Certified restaurant, employees are required to stay up-to-date on public health cleaning and food safety training, and use science-based protocols and products. This reassurance allows families to focus on enjoying life and celebrating moments together.

Restaurants are first and foremost, hospitable. This sentiment extends to patrons with children too. You can assure that the wait staff knows how to keep kids happy by reading through online reviews. It can be as simple as having gracious and helpful servers — people who are patient while your family coordinates their order — or go as far to suggest kid-friendly substitutions. Having an inviting staff will help make you and your family feel completely welcome and comfortable, so you can relax and enjoy your dinner.