When do kids have birthday meals at restaurants?

[Anonymous]

I remember when I was in middle school (12 or 13), I went to a birthday dinner for a friend at Benihana’s. It was a Japanese hibachi place and I thought it was fancy and the food was good. It was my first time eating Japanese food that I can remember. Then in high school and college, our friends would usually go out to eat to celebrate birthday friend.

Do kids still do this? At what age?

[Anonymous]

Well, my 7 year old is having her birthday party in 2 weeks but just told me she wants to go out to dinner on her actual birthday (to a local pizza place) and would like to invite two friends.

So I guess it’s starts earlier these days!?

[Anonymous]

I started taking my DS out to dinner for his birthday around age 11 or so. He invites a friend usually. The last two years we went to The Melting Pot.

[Anonymous]

Some of my DD's friends have had birthday celebrations at restaurants. She's 9. In all cases, it has been take some kids to an activity, then have lunch at a restaurant. Some small, some big (one I think had a dozen kids there?!) I kind of felt sorry for other people at the restaurant and the servers because a lot of kids at a restaurant all together is, ummm, not quiet.

[Anonymous]

We’ve done special birthday dinners from 4 up, although 7 was the first year our oldest had a friend who also was interested in joining for not traditional kids food.