What to do with 7 kids who have to sit through a multi-course meal?

Question

The ages range from 5-13. They will be seated together (in a cruise ship dining room) during formal meals and the concern is that they will not be able to sit still that long. However, since it is a very formal setting, they will not be able to get up and roam. Ideas? Help?

Answer 1

Lucky! i wish i got to go on a cruise when i was that age

Answer 2

lol

waht my mom does...

she says...

if you behave, ill get you guuys ice cream

or find something they like.

always works.

good luck

Answer 3

Why on earth would you take that many children on a cruise....to them its going to be punishment.. Take them somewhere they will find fun or leave them with grandparents...If you insist on taking them, contact the cruise director beforehand and inquire about alternatives for them outside of the formal dining rooms.... It also wouldnt be very fair to the other hundreds of people who they are going to bother in a formal setting....Seems pretty rude if you think about it.

Answer 4

Coloring books or books with word searches and mazes would keep them busy for awhile, hopefully you won't be making them do this too many days in a row.

See if your cruise ship has a babysitter, and feed the kids earlier and drop them off at the daycare, and then go and eat your dinner stress free.

Good luck!

Answer 5

i've been on a cruise and they don't take too long with the food from what I remember. coloring books, how many things can you find in the dining room that are say blue, draw a picture of a certain family member and a picture about your day

Answer 6

Have one of the older kids agree to leave with the younger ones at a time before they become a bother to the other guests. While it is nice to have your entire family there. This is a formal setting, something many people take seriously and are to polite to say those brats just ruined my cruise.

A plan to have the kids excused early will help to make all present enjoy their Very Formal and Very Expensive dinners. The best situation would be to not have the kids there as these are usually meals for adults or older mannered kids. I know that people want children to "experience" many things. I feel there is a time and a place and I would bring my toddlers or those I were not sure could endure the time in a mannered fashion. So my solution is to do the first thing I mentioned.