restaurant with entertainment/diversions for kids?

[Anonymous]

I'm looking for suggestions of restaurants good for a few families with young kids (ages 4-8) - I'm hoping for suggestions of restaurants with some form of entertainment or diversions for kids, such as a place on the water where you see boats sailing by, or a place that shows movies, or has a jukebox (like a diner), or has the tortilla machine to look at and dough to play with like at Uncle Julio's. Any suggestions for me? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

http://www.nandos.com/

Nando's -- fancy self serve soda machine, self serve frozen yogurt

[Anonymous]

American City Diner has movies (not sure if they are year round or just summer) and has juke boxes in the booths.

[Anonymous]

Once summer comes, Rustico in Ballston is great. There is a little splash area between Rustico and Buzz Bakery. You can sit outside and have the kids play in the water until the food comes...

[Anonymous]

he Washingtonian Shopping Center (aka Rio) in Gaithersburg has something like this. Some of the restaurants are on the water and they have paddle boats, waterfowl, fish, etc. There's also a little "train" for rides (though it was very far away from where we were at the restaurant). Very family friendly.

[Anonymous]

Why do you need diversions/entertainment? Why not teach your kids about the dining experience, how to read menu, order food, have conversations and behave while dining out.

[Anonymous]

The Green Turtle has televisions in most booths. Comet ping-pong has ping-pong tables in the back.

[Anonymous]

Silver Diner
Matchbox (the one in Rockville gives kids dough to play with)

[Anonymous]

Comet Ping Pong

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks very much for the suggestions - some of these restaurants we have been to, some are new to us and I am excited to try them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do you need diversions/entertainment? Why not teach your kids about the dining experience, how to read menu, order food, have conversations and behave while dining out.

Not the OP, but I would say it's because I'm not as perfect a parent as you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you need diversions/entertainment? Why not teach your kids about the dining experience, how to read menu, order food, have conversations and behave while dining out.

Not the OP, but I would say it's because I'm not as perfect a parent as you.

Not sure where anything about being a perfect parent was mentioned. I do recall as a child and when we dined out my parents did not base where we would dine on whether or not we would be entertained. I think it's sad that this now needs to be a requirement to dine somewhere. Why not just find a McDonalds with a play room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do you need diversions/entertainment? Why not teach your kids about the dining experience, how to read menu, order food, have conversations and behave while dining out.

[Anonymous]

I just bring crayons and paper from home. It keeps my child busy until food comes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you need diversions/entertainment? Why not teach your kids about the dining experience, how to read menu, order food, have conversations and behave while dining out.

Not the OP, but I would say it's because I'm not as perfect a parent as you.

Not sure where anything about being a perfect parent was mentioned. I do recall as a child and when we dined out my parents did not base where we would dine on whether or not we would be entertained. I think it's sad that this now needs to be a requirement to dine somewhere. Why not just find a McDonalds with a play room.

No kidding PP! What is it with all these crazy posters who think it's reasonable to try to plan a family outing where their children will have fun! Nonsense!