Easy Busy Bags for Restaurants with Kids

Want to keep your kids occupied and happy while out to eat? Here's how to put together a busy bag for restaurants with kids!

I don't know if it is because I had my babies during Covid or just my frugal homebody self, but my kids do not go out to eat very often. We typically get takeout once a week and only eat at a restaurant if we are traveling.

And while my kids are generally well behaved, they're just not used to sitting and waiting at restaurants. It's OK every once in a while, but when we go on vacation and are eating out every night, they can really start to struggle with boredom.

This is why I put together a busy bag that I now take on vacations with us.

It's specifically designed for restaurants and it is all items that pack up easily and that my kids can play with quietly, but they keep them well entertained at least for the amount of time that you have to sit and wait at a restaurant.

If you want to put together a busy bag, you can use any tote bag to do so. My big suggestion is to aim for a bag that has a zipper on top so that you can completely seal it up just so you don't end up dumping your stuff all over the ground somewhere.

Here are some of the things that I keep in our restaurant busy bag.

What to put in a Restaurant Busy Bag

Here are some of the things that I keep in our busy bag. Note that I do cycle things out as they get used up or the kids are bored with them.

Also, if we go on a longer vacation, I like to have a few things in my suitcase that I swap into the busy bag mid-trip, just to keep them interested!

Sticker Books

You can never go wrong with a sticker book. I love these over coloring books because there is 0 mess. Plus, most the restaurants we go to have crayons already - so this is just an alternative or add-on to that!

Here are my favorite sticker books:

• Melissa & Doug reusable sticker pads - if your kids tear through stickers, this is a great sustainable option
• Sticker Wows - these kits come with a fun tool like a dotter marker but for stickers! My kids LOVE it but the stickers run out quick and aren't exactly cheap, though they do sell refill packs.
• Paint by Stickers - better for slightly older kids or those who love to be exact and precise (my son has been doing these since age 4 but he is very detail oriented, they are too detailed for my daughter to care!). Like paint by number but with little stickers to line up. Really fun for the right kid!

Mini Magnetic Tiles

My kids, especially my daughter, have always loved building with magnetic tiles. Of course, you can travel with any set. We used to bring a drawstring bag of Clixo to restaurants before I made the busy bag!

But now, this tin of mini-magna tiles is my go to. I love that they pack up really tight and they are just the right number to build with on a restaurant table without it being too much!

Look and Finds

Both of my kids also really love a look and find. They got hooked on these and highlights magazines and really enjoy them all the time.

I like the dry erase ones for on the go just so that you can erase and reuse them and that multiple kids can have a turn on each page. Here are some favorites.

• Search and find dry erase set -- our favorite, but they are kind of large, about the size of a placemat. Make sure that size makes sense for your bag!
• Highlights Hidden Pictures Sticker fun - a version where kids add a sticker as they find! One time use but a huge hit from ages 3-6 around here!
• Search and Find dry erase book - a smaller, spiral bound version that looks great!

Poppers or Fidget Toys

Of course, fidget toys always work great. Think poppers, tubes, worms, anything your kids love normally. Consider grabbing a few that they don't normally get to play with - just to keep it interesting!

• Sensory activity boards
• Wikki Stix
• NeeDoh
• Worry Stones
• Color Sorting Sensory Toy
• Fidget Spiders

Mini Board Games

For older kids, mini board games can be great - you just don't want to lose any pieces! Go for travel versions of your favorites, so you don't have to learn a new game on the go. Card games are also great!

• Connect 4
• Scrabble to go
• Sorry - road trip edition
• Boggle Travel Size

Brain Puzzles

For older kids or those who love puzzles, there are some great logic games that you can easily pack or take on the go. We use these zipper bags for some of these options with little pieces!

• Rush Hour
• Kanoodle
• Tricky Triangle
• Rotate & Slide Puzzle
• Mini Rubix Cube
• Hippo Haven (discontinued but we love ours from my childhood!)

Another similar but different option is to do a zipper bag of lego. Add a base plate and random lego from your stash and lets kids build wild!

A Busy Bag is a great solution to keeping kids happy and entertained, while giving yourself a little break. I hope these ideas inspire you in putting yours together!