What would you like to see in a child friendly cafe?

Question

Contemplating new business....any (good) ideas welcome

Answer 1

psps or something small to keep them interested and QUICK service! Best of luck. oh and interesting quirky food and drink kids love this.

Answer 2

a cage!

Answer 3

milkshakes with real milk.  Things children will eat that aren't full of additives, eg beans on toast, bananas, jelly, ice-cream.

Need to be self-service or very quick service, otherwise you will need something to stop them getting bored - mobiles?  How about a 'wobbly mirror' on the wall?

Room for baby buggies and/or shopping

Answer 4

No children:)

Answer 5

When they walk in with children have the waiter or waitress bring a color sheet and 2-3 colors while they wait for their food. Help my kids out when we go out for dinner night.

Answer 6

There are few really good child-friendly cafes.  The problem is that although the kids are generally well-behaved while being attended to, when the adults start talking, they get bored once they've eaten.  My husband says "free wi fi" to let the parents bring their laptops in to the cafe so they can work while the kids play (esp. the kids of divorced dads who take them out at the weekend).  Or perhaps a PS3 for the dads to play while the kids are playing.  A ball pond is always a must for these sort of places.  It can be within viewing distance of the cafe (Like It's a Kid's Thing in Earlsfield:  http://www.itsakidsthing.co.uk/

Obviously drawing paper and crayons never goes wrong even in non-exclusive kids places such as Pizza Hut, Harvester and McDonalds.  Obviously, us adults like real food so try to limit those places.

Giraffe chain does very well with a funky interior, real food for the adults and a good balanced kids menu - balloons for the kids etc.  

http://www.giraffe.net/kids.php

High chairs for the kids along with booster cushions for those who think high chairs are for babies.  A baby changing facility in the toilets and possibly one lower sink and hand dryer for the independent kids.

Once there is a great kids cafe in your neighbourhood which serves real breakfasts, real adult food and fun kid food then you will return again and again (even if you have to drive for an hour).

There are places like Adventure Kingdom in Bromley which is essentially a playcentre and would stay for longer but the nasty coffee and uninspiring sandwiches mean you don't spend much time or money there.

http://www.bromleymytime.org.uk/adventur...

Early opening at the weekends would be a must, most kids get up around 7 and the parents are desperately trying to get out of the house to have breakfast from 8am, places which don't open until 10, make it difficult.

Hope this helps

Answer 7

no kids !!!

Answer 8

Disabled changing facility's for older children its horrible to lie an older child on a floor...

Answer 9

Great idea, I have 2 very well behaved children but struggle to find somewhere that will serve good food for kids, they usually eat off the adult menu/we get an extra plate.

Smoothies, not chemicals added to milk please.

a choice of simple sandwiches/rolls, not always cooked stuff

home made chicken nuggets/fish fingers/burgers, they're really easy

fruit kebabs or an alternative to ice cream - no not all children like it

And cake - don't underestimate the appeal of decorated fairy cakes to all ages and genders and my kids love my breakfast muffins (see Tana Ramsey but substitute raisins for pecans)

And feel free to prepare their meal first and let it stand, its very frustrating when their food comes out incredibly hot and you've practically finished yours before theirs is cool enough for them to start

Also I believe the key to well behaved children comes from keeping them occupied.  Mine love cars, trains and books so that's easy but they also like getting pictures to colour when they arrive (Est Est Est is very good).

And don't clutter small tables up with salt and pepper and sugar bowls etc. (when you kid secretly scoffs a dozen sugar cubes before his meal he is not going to sit still).

sorry to go on but good luck with your venture, if you get it right you will be loved by parents and those with no kids won't even notice they're there.

Maybe I should do it myself

Answer 10

i WOULD SAY A AGE WHERE YOU LOCK ALL THE KIDS AND LET THE BEAT EACH OTHER WITH FOAM STICKS OR SWARDS BUT ONLY IN THE CAGE OR HAVE A STORY TELLER IN

Answer 11

HEALTHY food, nice children, and better parents

Answer 12

A "baby/child station" with microwave for heating up baby  food/jars/bottles,disposible bibs,plastic bowls and cutlery,plenty of napkins or even better wipes,

plenty of highchairs and if possible babychairs(like highchairs but with a baby seat for younger babies),

in the toilets there should be a suitable area to change babies nappies as well as a potty and child toilet seat,

and one of the major things is to have plenty of space !!!!,

i remember going to a cafe with 2 friends and their babies,all we wanted was a coffee but in the end we gave up as we couldn`t fit the buggy`s even near to a table!!

Go to ikea if you want inspiration,their cafe/restaurant has got to be the most child-friendly i`ve ever been too,mine never want to leave!!

Answer 13

Well behaved children and attentive parents.

Answer 14

how about a childrens area/ball pool..then the children are occupied whilst their parents chat..just make sure that if you get a ball pool you clean it out once a week i have heard lots of horror stories of what is found underneath all the balls, ie dirty nappies/wee/needles/mouldy food..all things that could be fatal to a child. also if you can give any toys etc..a wipe over with a antibacterial wipe every night so they are fresh. you could also put a colouring pad and crayons on the table for the children and also have a "childrens evening" with just the childrens menu..jelly ice cream..icecream maker! once a month!! yum. hope this helps..good luck!!!! xx